Essex Tier 2 Visa Sponsors

A Tier 2 sponsor licence (now called a Worker licence) allows UK employers to hire skilled workers from outside the UK who need a visa to work. Organisations with this licence can sponsor Skilled Worker visas and other work visa categories. The licence is issued by the Home Office after an employer demonstrates they can meet compliance obligations.

You can use our sponsor search database to find licensed employers by location, industry, or company name. All employers listed have been verified against the official UK government Register of Licensed Sponsors. We recommend filtering by your target industry and location, then researching companies individually for relevant job openings.

No, only employers who hold a valid sponsor licence can sponsor work visas. Not all UK employers have this licence - it requires an application process with the Home Office. You can verify if a company can sponsor you by searching our database or checking the official government register.

As of 2026, the general salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa is £41,700 per year or the 'going rate' for your specific occupation, whichever is higher. There are reduced rates for 'new entrants' (those under 26, switching from a Student visa, or in postdoctoral positions) at £33,400 minimum. Healthcare workers have lower thresholds.

A Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic record (not a physical document) that your employer creates to sponsor your visa application. It contains a unique reference number, your job details, salary, and start date. You need this reference number to apply for your visa. The CoS is valid for 3 months.

Yes, you can change employers while on a Skilled Worker visa. However, you must have a new job offer from another licensed sponsor, receive a new Certificate of Sponsorship, and apply to update your visa before starting the new job. You cannot start working for the new employer until your visa update is approved.