Get a UK Job That Sponsors your Visa FAST (Step-by-Step Guide)
I share my experience with you here about freelancing, remote jobs, and online side hustles that put money in your pocket! But today, let’s talk about something fresh—UK job sponsorship visas!
See, if you’ve been thinking of leaving Nigeria (or any other country you presently are right now) for the UK and you don’t want to go through the student visa wahala, for example, if you’re married or want to work in the UK, not study, this article is for you. Starting from now, you’re not alone on this journey to get a sponsorship job in the UK—we will run this together!
Today, I’m breaking everything down step by step — how to find UK jobs that sponsor visas, where to apply, how to stand out, and some sneaky hacks that can boost your chances. So make sure you read till the end and not get distracted! In six months, you’d be happy you focused on this.
Alright, first things first…
Why Even Bother With a UK Job Sponsorship?
Let’s be honest—there are plenty of reasons you might want to leave Naija, India, Kenya, Ghana, or wherever you are. Maybe you want better pay, a stable and enabling economy, and a better quality of life, or you’re just tired of hearing about the power grid breakdown, fuel scarcity, ransom, and so on!
Freelancing and remote work are sweet! You know I love it as it allows me to work for clients in the UK, the US, and more. But isn’t it better to travel physically to the UK, where one is open to better job opportunities and more? The Global Talent Visa is my first recommendation, but that’s for a few highly skilled individuals. Regardless, that path is also worth considering, although it is slightly more expensive. So, we are focusing on the less costly means of getting into the UK as a person with transferable skills. That’s where the UK Skilled Worker Visa comes in.
But wait! Not every job you see online in the UK qualifies for UK visa sponsorship, and not every company is licensed to bring in foreign workers, so you don’t waste your time applying for the wrong jobs. That’s why you need to be strategic and follow these four steps I’d share with you!
Step 1: The Immigration Salary List — What’s That One Again?
So, in this year, 2025, the UK changed things up a bit. The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) is now called the Immigration Salary List (ISL). Why should you care about this list and the new change? That’s because this list shows the jobs that are in high demand in the UK—which means employers are more likely to sponsor you to travel down to the UK for these jobs! This is not to say you can’t apply for other jobs, but just know you don’t stand as much chance as sticking with professions in the Immigration Salary List.
So, before you start applying, check this list: (I will put the link in the description below for you.) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list
A quick one! If this article makes sense to you already, please hit the CLAP button!
Now, let’s break this ISL thing down properly. This list includes specific jobs that are in high demand in the UK, and because of that, they have lower salary requirements for visa sponsorship. Employers are more willing to sponsor workers for these roles because they don’t have to meet a high salary requirement. For example, let’s say a regular IT job might require a salary of £30,000 for sponsorship, but if it’s on the ISL, the employer might only need to pay £24,000 to qualify.
Some of the most common jobs on this list include healthcare roles, engineering jobs, IT specialists, teachers, and social workers. But don’t worry if your industry isn’t listed—there are still plenty of employers that can sponsor you, even if your job isn’t on the ISL. It just means the salary requirements might be a bit higher on the employer, so they’re not incentivised to hire you.
Step 2: Where Exactly Do You Find These Jobs?
No time to waste. Here are the surest places to find UK visa sponsorship jobs:
- Check out the UK Government Job Board by visiting www.findajob.dwp.gov.uk — That’s the official UK government job site. Just search for “visa sponsorship” jobs!
- Check the UK Sponsorship License Register by visiting their website, uktiersponsors.co.uk — This lists all companies legally allowed to sponsor foreign workers. So if you find a job elsewhere, say, on general job boards like LinkedIn, check this site for the company to see if they can sponsor you before applying.
- You can also find jobs on general job boards such as:
- Indeed
- Totaljobs
- Reed
- Jobs Ac (for academic jobs)
- You can find NHS jobs in the United Kingdom by checking their website. This is a jackpot for those in healthcare, like my wifey. You sure need to take some professional exams for this, except if you’re willing to switch.
Oh, wait! Where exactly do you start?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start with Find A Job and Indeed UK—those two alone have thousands of sponsorship jobs listed daily. See the link in the description below:
Now that you know where to find the jobs, let’s talk about…
Step 3: How to Apply and Actually Get Hired
Finding UK jobs on these websites is one thing, but getting hired? That’s another story entirely. Here are some things you can do to stand out:
- Use a UK-style CV, that is, forget long stories, no age, no photo! Make it short, skill-focused, and tailored to each job.
- Don’t use the same cover letter for every job—adjust and adapt it for each specific job you apply to show why you fit that role.
- Using AI without refining it yourself is a no-no!
- Apply to Fresh Jobs — If a job has been open for 3 months, forget it! Target new job listings, say a few days ago, a week or two.
- Get UK-Related Experience—It helps if you’ve worked remotely or freelance for a UK company; it also helps if you are schooled or have taken an online course from a UK institution, and having a LinkedIn recommendation from professionals in the UK gives you an edge!
If you’re not subscribed yet, what are you waiting for?! Smash that subscribe button and join my fam! I might create a WhatsApp group for the UK Job Sponsorship hunt. Let me know in the comments if that would be a nice idea.
Step 4: The Secret Hacks to Boost Your Chances
Alright, it’s time for some sharp guy hacks to help you get a UK job visa sponsorship:
- First, LinkedIn is your online CV that secretly gets checked by recruiters when you send or even don’t send your CV when applying for jobs, so position yourself like a Pro –
Update your profile to say ‘Open to Work.’.
Connect with HR managers from UK companies.
Engage with UK job posts—like, comment, and DM recruiters! - If it’s something you’re open to, you can target Less Competitive roles—
Care jobs, teaching assistants, logistics, and IT support are easier to get. If you have skills similar to mine, you should stick to your present field or look for the field closest to it on the Immigration Salary List. For me, my field is Graphics and Multimedia Designer on the ISL. - Send Direct Emails to Hiring Managers –
Instead of only clicking ‘Apply’, go to LinkedIn, find the HR manager’s email, and send them a short, friendly message. Check the company on LinkedIn or another platform and see if you can cleverly find a way to connect with someone presently working there.
Any questions? Drop them in the comments — I reply to as many as I can! And you can also contribute. There’s a lot I don’t know, too, and I’m open to learning.
Now, let me tell you something most people don’t do—cold emailing works! If you see a job listing and can find the hiring manager’s contact, send them a direct email. Keep it short and polite:
“Hi (Hiring Manager’s Name), I saw the Content Producer (Put your own Job Title) role on Indeed [or any Website where you found the job), and I’m really interested. I have experience in (mention your relevant skills) and would love to bring my expertise to your team. Are you open to reviewing my CV?”
Many people just click ‘Apply’ and wait, but trust me, direct messages can get you noticed faster!
And it’s a wrap. Hope you understand? Comment if you do. Check out my other articles here or subscribe to my channel here. I’ll see you in the next one!
