Find Your Dream Job: UK Sponsorship Opportunities and Salary Guidelines in 2023

 

List of Roles that Can Be Sponsored

There are different types of work visas available in the UK, each with its own set of requirements. Some visas require a job offer from a UK employer that is willing to sponsor the applicant. Here are some of the roles that can be sponsored in the UK:

1. IT and technology roles (e.g. software engineer)
2. Healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor, nurse)
3. Financial services (e.g. investment banker)
4. Engineering roles (e.g. mechanical engineer)
5. Education and teaching (e.g. university lecturer)
6. Creative industries (e.g. graphic designer)
7. Management and executive positions (e.g. CEO)
8. Skilled trades (e.g. electrician)
9. Hospitality and catering (e.g. chef)
10. Science and research (e.g. research scientist).

Types of visas for sponsored employees

There are several types of visas available for employees who are being sponsored by an employer in the UK. The most common types of visas are:

1. Skilled Worker Visa: This visa is for individuals who have a job offer in a skilled occupation in the UK and meet the necessary requirements, such as meeting the minimum salary threshold and English language proficiency.
2. Intra-Company Transfer Visa: This visa is for individuals who are being transferred to a UK branch of their current employer. There are two categories of this visa: Long-term Staff and Graduate Trainee.
3. Global Talent Visa: This visa is for individuals who are highly skilled in their field and have been endorsed as a leader or emerging leader in their field.
4. Sportsperson Visa: This visa is for individuals who are internationally recognized as being at the highest level in their sport.
5. Minister of Religion Visa: This visa is for individuals who have been offered a job as a minister of religion, missionary, or member of a religious order.
6. Temporary Worker Visa: This visa is for individuals who are coming to the UK for a temporary period to do work that cannot be filled by a resident worker.

It is important to note that the eligibility requirements, application process, and duration of stay can vary depending on the type of visa. It is important for employers and employees to understand the requirements and restrictions of each type of visa before applying.

Sponsorship requirements for employers

Employers who wish to sponsor employees in the UK must meet several requirements to obtain a sponsorship license. These requirements include:

1. Registering for a sponsorship license: Employers must apply for a sponsorship license and pay the associated fee. The license is valid for four years and allows the employer to sponsor employees during that time.
2. Assigning a sponsor: Employers must assign a sponsor within their organization who will be responsible for managing the sponsorship process and ensuring compliance with the law.
3. Compliance with immigration laws: Employers must demonstrate that they are complying with immigration laws, such as conducting right to work checks on employees and reporting any immigration-related issues to the Home Office.
4. Evidence of genuine need: Employers must provide evidence that they have a genuine need for the sponsored employee, such as a job offer and evidence that they have tried to recruit from within the UK.
5. Evidence of skills and qualifications: Employers must provide evidence that the sponsored employee has the necessary skills and qualifications for the role they are being sponsored for.
6. Meeting minimum salary requirements: Employers must ensure that they are meeting the minimum salary requirements for the sponsored role as set out by the Home Office.
7. Record keeping: Employers must keep accurate records of their sponsored employees, including their contact details, immigration status, and employment history.

Meeting these requirements is crucial for employers who wish to sponsor employees in the UK. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the employer losing their sponsorship license and being unable to sponsor employees in the future.

How much is the minimum Skilled Worker salary

The minimum salary for a Skilled Worker sponsored by an employer in the UK is £30,000 per annum, or the ‘going rate’ for the role, whichever is higher. The salary must be advertised in line with the Resident Labour Market Test or meet the skills threshold as set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The salary must be at least equal to the applicable rate for the job being sponsored, based on the job title or code in the relevant Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code.

It is important to note that an employer must ensure the salary for a sponsored employee is the same or higher than what is advertised in the Resident Labour Market Test. In certain cases, employers may be able to request permission from UKVI to pay a lower salary than the going rate if they can demonstrate that they cannot fill the role at the advertised salary rate. 

For roles that are eligible for the intra-company transfer visa (ICT) category, a slightly different approach applies. The minimum salary requirement for an ICT applicant is £41,500 per annum, or the ‘going rate’ for the role, whichever is higher. 

Sponsoring employers are expected to take into account any changes to pay and working hours when calculating the appropriate salary for their sponsored worker. This includes pay increases, overtime pay and commissions. Sponsored workers should not receive any additional financial incentives to supplement their salary.

CGM is a corporate immigration application for expats, sponsoring companies and business immigration advisors. Feel free to contact us on 0300 000 000 or send us an email if you have any questions. 

How are salaries determined for sponsored employees

Salaries for sponsored employees in the UK are typically determined by a combination of factors, including industry standards, job requirements, and immigration requirements. Employers must ensure that they are paying the employee at least the minimum salary required by UK immigration law for the sponsored role.

To determine the appropriate salary for the job, employers may consider several factors, including:

1. Job requirements: The employer will consider the necessary skills, qualifications, and experience required for the job role.
2. Industry standards: Employers may consider the salary range for similar job roles in the industry to ensure that they are offering a competitive salary. 
3. Experience: Employers may offer higher salaries to employees who have more experience or a higher level of education in the field. This can help attract more qualified candidates and retain employees with valuable skills and knowledge.
4. Company budget: Employers will also consider their budget for the role and the impact that the salary offered will have on their overall finances. This may involve negotiating the salary with the employee to find a mutually acceptable rate.
5. Legal requirements: Finally, employers must ensure that the salary offered meets the minimum requirements set out by UK immigration law for the sponsored role.

The appropriate salary for a sponsored employee in the UK requires a careful consideration of several factors. Employers must ensure that they are offering a fair salary that meets immigration requirements while also being competitive within the industry and aligning with their budgetary constraints.

Importance of understanding salary requirements

Understanding the salary requirements for sponsored employees in the UK is crucial for both employers and employees. For employers, it ensures that they are compliant with the UK’s sponsorship system and are offering fair compensation to their employees. Failure to meet the minimum salary requirements can result in the employer losing their sponsorship license.

For employees, understanding the salary requirements can help them negotiate their salary and ensure that they are being paid fairly for their skills and qualifications. It also helps them understand whether they meet the eligibility requirements for sponsorship and what their earning potential may be.

Overall, understanding salary requirements is essential for anyone seeking employment in the UK under a sponsored visa. It ensures compliance with the law and fair compensation for both parties involved.

Factors that can affect the salary requirements

There are several factors that can affect the salary requirements for sponsored employees in the UK. Some of these factors include:

1. Occupation: The minimum salary requirements for each occupation can vary depending on the job role and industry. For example, healthcare professionals typically have higher minimum salary requirements compared to creative workers.
2. Location: The cost of living and average salaries can vary depending on the location in the UK. As a result, the minimum salary requirements can vary depending on where the job is located.
3. Experience and qualifications: The minimum salary requirements can vary depending on the experience and qualifications of the employee. For example, an employee with a higher level of education or years of experience may be required to be paid a higher salary.
4. Age: The minimum salary requirements can vary depending on the age of the employee. For example, individuals under the age of 26 who are on a Youth Mobility Scheme visa have lower minimum salary requirements compared to other types of visas.
5. Industry standards: The minimum salary requirements may also be influenced by industry standards and what is considered a fair wage for a particular job role.
6. Changes in immigration policy: The minimum salary requirements can change depending on updates to UK immigration policy. Employers and employees should stay informed of any changes that may affect their sponsorship.

It is important for employers and employees to consider these factors when determining the minimum salary requirements for a sponsored employee in the UK. This can help ensure that the employee is being compensated fairly and that the employer is meeting the necessary requirements for sponsorship.

Who is considered a ‘New Entrant

If you are a foreign national hoping to gain indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK through the Skilled Worker route, you may be considered a ‘New Entrant’ and eligible for lower minimum salary thresholds. This is only applicable if you have not been sponsored in any capacity before. 

To be considered a ‘New Entrant’, you must be between the ages of 18-30, meet the required skills criteria, and your occupation must be one that falls under the list of skilled occupations that can be sponsored. Additionally, you must have been living outside the UK for at least 12 months prior to applying. If you meet all these criteria, you are eligible to be sponsored as a ‘New Entrant’, meaning you will only need to earn a minimum of £20,480 per annum, or £24,900 if you are working in London. 

It is important to note that the New Entrant status is valid only for 3 years after the start of your visa. After this period, you will need to comply with the standard salary thresholds for ILR applications. 

These rules apply only to those hoping to gain ILR through the Skilled Worker route. All other visa categories have different requirements for salary thresholds and new entrants.

CGM is a corporate immigration application for expats, sponsoring companies and business immigration advisors. Feel free to contact us on 0300 000 000 or send us an email if you have any questions. 

When are salary points tradeable

For employers who are looking to sponsor a Skilled Worker in the UK, there is the possibility of salary points being traded for different types of roles. A tradeable salary point is when an employer is able to substitute a higher level of pay for a lower skill requirement. This can be done either by substituting a higher salary point for a lower skill level or vice versa. 

For example, if a skilled worker is being sponsored with an occupation code of RQF 6 (which requires a minimum salary of £20,480) then the employer may choose to offer £25,000 in order to meet the requirements of the code. This would enable them to fill the position with someone with lesser skills, who wouldn’t otherwise qualify under the RQF 6 code. 

Another example could be where an employer is looking to sponsor a skilled worker under the RQF 3 code (which requires a minimum salary of £25,600). In this case, the employer could offer £30,000 to attract a more skilled individual who doesn’t meet the criteria for RQF 3. 

The ability to trade salary points is designed to make it easier for employers to find workers for specific roles. However, this does not mean that an employer can just offer any amount of money and expect that it will be accepted. The Home Office has set out certain parameters for salary levels and these must be adhered to. Any trades that don’t meet the criteria are likely to be rejected by the Home Office and could result in fines or other penalties.

The UK offers a variety of roles for those who wish to become sponsored by an employer in the country. There are certain roles that are classified as ‘skilled’, and others which are not. The skilled roles are generally considered to have a minimum salary requirement of £20,480 or more, and will require a minimum skill level. This is determined by the Home Office based on the occupation code assigned to the role.

 

Calculating salary level based on expected hours worked

For employers seeking to sponsor a Skilled Worker for entry into the UK, the expected salary must meet the minimum hourly rate requirements established by the UK Home Office. This is determined by the number of hours worked, as well as the sector in which the role is based.

The Home Office has established tiers for calculating the appropriate minimum salary for each role. These tiers take into account both hours and skill level. For example, if a role requires more skilled labour and/or requires a higher number of hours per week, then it would require a higher minimum salary to satisfy the UK Home Office’s requirements.

The required minimum salary can be calculated using the formula below:

Minimum Salary = (Hourly Rate x Hours Per Week) + Skill Level Premium 

The hourly rate is based on the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, whichever is applicable. The Skill Level Premium is an additional allowance paid to higher skilled roles. 

For example, if a Skilled Worker is working 35 hours a week in a semi-skilled role, they would need to be paid at least £9.74 per hour plus an additional Skill Level Premium of £2.28 per hour, for a total of £12.02 per hour. 

It is important to note that employers are not allowed to pay below the minimum wage in any circumstances. Employers should ensure that their employees are being paid appropriately for the role they are undertaking.

Skill requirements

When looking for a job in the UK that you can sponsor, it is important to understand the skill requirements. The UK has specific rules in place when it comes to how qualified a person needs to be for the position they are applying for. It is important to ensure that the job you are applying for is at the right level of qualification, as this will determine whether or not you will be able to successfully sponsor the job.

In order to qualify for a job that can be sponsored in the UK, the applicant must meet a minimum level of skill and/or experience as set out by the UK Home Office. The skill requirements vary based on the job being applied for, and the salary being offered. Generally speaking, the higher the salary offered, the more highly qualified the applicant needs to be in order to meet the necessary criteria.

For most jobs that can be sponsored in the UK, applicants must have either Level 3 qualifications (NVQ3/BTEC Level 3) or above, or at least 5 years of relevant work experience in their chosen field. Additionally, applicants must have completed a recognised course of study that is directly related to their desired job. For some roles, additional qualifications may be required, such as professional certificates or diplomas.

It is important to note that for all sponsored jobs in the UK, applicants must have a good command of English language in order to be successful. This includes written and spoken language skills. Those who do not meet these requirements may not be eligible for sponsorship. 

By understanding the minimum skill and experience requirements of the UK’s sponsored roles, you can ensure that you are applying for a job that you are eligible for and can successfully secure sponsorship for.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the UK sponsorship system provides a supportive environment for companies to sponsor foreign workers for a variety of job types. The day to day running of the sponsorship process is assisted by the team at the organisations facility. A sponsor licence is required for companies to sponsor individuals for full time positions in the UK. This includes sponsorship jobs in the UK, such as the Intra-Company Transfer Visa and the Skilled Worker Visa. The sponsorship process can be complex, but having a sponsor licence allows companies to bring in top talent from around the world to support their day to day running, and contribute to the growth of their organisation. Overall, the UK sponsorship system provides a valuable opportunity for companies to enhance their team with the skills and talents of foreign workers through visa sponsorship.

 

Frequently asked questions

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