To check whether a UK employer can sponsor you, search its legal name on the official UK government Register of Licensed Sponsors: Workers. Confirm that the listing includes the Skilled Worker route, then check whether the job itself meets the visa’s occupation, salary and other requirements.
Being on the register does not mean the employer is hiring overseas applicants for every vacancy. It also does not guarantee that a particular job qualifies for a visa. Before applying from Nigeria, verify both the employer’s licence and the details of the advertised role.
This guide explains how to check UK visa sponsorship employers, assess a vacancy and spot warning signs before sharing documents or paying any fees.
What does visa sponsorship mean in the UK?
For a Skilled Worker visa, sponsorship means an approved UK employer offers you an eligible job and assigns you a Certificate of Sponsorship, usually called a CoS. The CoS is an electronic record with a reference number. You need that number to apply for your visa. (https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa)
The employer must hold the right sponsor licence for the route. The job must also meet the immigration rules. A company may be licensed but have no vacancies, or it may be recruiting for roles that are not eligible for the Skilled Worker visa.
In practice, check three separate things:
– The employer appears on the official worker sponsor register.
– The listing covers the Skilled Worker route, not only another visa route.
– The actual job meets the Skilled Worker occupation and salary rules.
How to use the UK Register of Licensed Sponsors
The government’s register is the main place to check whether an organisation is licensed to sponsor workers. Open the [Register of Licensed Sponsors: Workers]and use the latest downloadable file. The register is updated regularly, so check the current version rather than relying on a saved copy or an old screenshot.
Search the employer’s legal name
Use the name shown in the job advert, but also check the employer’s legal name if it is different. A company may advertise under a trading name while the sponsor licence is held by a parent company or related legal entity.
Search the register for:
– The company or organisation name
– The sponsor location, if it is listed
– The route or routes the employer is licensed for
– The licence rating shown in the register
If you find a similar name, do not assume it is the same organisation. Compare the address, website and legal details. If you are unsure, contact the employer using the details on its official website.
Confirm that the licence covers the right route
The register includes different worker and temporary worker routes. For a typical sponsored skilled job, look for the Skilled Worker route in the employer’s listing.
A licence for a different route, such as a temporary work route, does not automatically mean that the employer can sponsor the vacancy you found under the Skilled Worker route. Check the route shown beside the employer’s name.
Remember what the register cannot tell you
The register confirms that an organisation holds a sponsor licence. It does not tell you whether:
– The employer is currently recruiting
– A particular vacancy is open to applicants outside the UK
– The job qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
– The salary meets the visa rules
– You will be selected or granted a visa
Treat the register as an employer check, not as a list of guaranteed job offers.
How to check if the job itself qualifies
The job must meet the immigration rules as well as the employer requirement. The UK changed the Skilled Worker skill threshold on 22 July 2025. Most new jobs must now be at graduate level, known as RQF level 6, or appear on an eligible exception list. There are some exceptions and transitional arrangements, so check the exact occupation code rather than relying only on a job title.
A job title can be misleading. Two roles with similar titles may have different duties and occupation codes. The employer should be able to explain the role, duties and code it intends to use for sponsorship.
Before applying, check:
– The job duties match the occupation code used by the employer.
– The occupation code is eligible under the current rules.
– The job meets the applicable salary threshold and occupation-specific going rate.
– The hours and pay described in the advert are clear.
– The role is a genuine job, not an offer to buy sponsorship.
The applicant does not necessarily need to hold a degree just because the job must meet a graduate-level skill standard. The rule concerns the skill level of the job, not simply the qualification held by the applicant.
What salary must a sponsored UK job pay?
For many Skilled Worker roles, the usual salary requirement is at least £41,700 a year or the job’s going rate, whichever is higher. The going rate depends on the occupation code. Some applicants and roles may qualify under different salary options, so do not assume that one figure applies to every sponsored job.
A lower threshold may apply in certain circumstances, such as some eligible healthcare or education jobs, a job on a relevant salary list, or an applicant who qualifies for a permitted salary discount. Each option has specific conditions. Check the current official salary guidance and the going rate for the exact occupation code before relying on a lower figure.
When reading an advert, note whether the salary is shown as an annual amount, hourly rate or range. If it is hourly, check the expected weekly hours and ask the employer how the annual salary is calculated. A job being advertised as “visa sponsorship available” does not remove the salary and occupation requirements.
How to check an employer before applying from Nigeria
Use this process for each vacancy:
1. Find the original job advert
Search for the vacancy on the employer’s official careers page. If you found it on a job board or social media, confirm that the vacancy appears on the company’s own site or contact the employer through its official details.
2. Match the employer to the register
Check the exact company name and confirm that its listing covers the Skilled Worker route. If the advert uses a trading name, ask which legal entity will employ and sponsor you.
3. Review the job duties and location
Make sure the job description explains what you will do, where you will work and who your employer will be. Look for the required experience, qualifications, pay and working hours. Ask questions if the advert is vague.
4. Check the occupation code and salary
Ask the employer which occupation code it intends to use and what salary will appear on the CoS. Compare both details with the current GOV.UK occupation and salary rules.
5. Apply through the employer’s stated process
Use the company’s careers portal or the application method named in the genuine advert. Keep a copy of the job description and your application. Do not send money or sensitive documents to an unknown person simply because they claim to represent the employer.
6. Check the offer before starting a visa application
If you receive an offer, confirm the employer name, role, salary and start date. The employer should assign the CoS through the official system. You will need the CoS reference number for your visa application. A CoS is not the visa itself, and receiving one does not guarantee that the Home Office will approve the visa.
What other Skilled Worker requirements should Nigerians know?
A qualifying job and sponsor are only part of the application. You will also need to meet the other requirements that apply to your circumstances.
For a first Skilled Worker application made from 8 January 2026, the English language requirement is normally level B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening. GOV.UK lists several ways to prove English, including an approved test or an eligible degree taught in English. Do not assume that being Nigerian automatically removes the requirement. Check the current rules and which evidence applies to you.
Depending on your application, you may also need:
– A valid passport
– Your CoS reference number
– Evidence of your English language ability
– Proof of funds, unless an exemption applies or your sponsor certifies maintenance
– A tuberculosis test result, if required for your application
– Additional documents for certain regulated or sensitive roles
The exact list depends on your circumstances and the job. Use the official Skilled Worker visa pages to confirm what you need before applying.
How to spot a fake UK sponsorship offer
A fake offer may use a real company’s name or copy the details of a licensed sponsor. Check the organisation independently and be cautious if someone pressures you to act quickly.
Warning signs include:
– A request to pay for a job offer, CoS or “guaranteed sponsorship”
– A promise that a visa is certain before the official application is assessed
– An interview conducted only through WhatsApp or an unofficial email address
– A salary or job description that does not make sense for the employer
– A request for your bank PIN, password or one-time password
– A website address that is similar to, but not the same as, the employer’s real website.
