Top Visa Sponsoring Employers in the UK in 2024

In 2024, several industries such as technology, healthcare, finance, engineering, and education continue to face labor shortages, making visa sponsorship an attractive option for both companies and professionals. Below, we explore some of the top employers in the UK that are actively sponsoring visas, providing opportunities for international workers to join their teams.

National Health Service (NHS)

Industry: Healthcare
Visa Type: Health and Care Worker Visa, Skilled Worker Visa

The NHS is the largest public sector employer in the UK, with over 1.3 million employees, making it a critical employer in the healthcare sector. Due to ongoing staff shortages across a variety of healthcare roles—particularly doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals—the NHS has long been a significant sponsor of visas for international workers. In 2024, the NHS continues to sponsor visas under the Health and Care Worker Visa, which provides a streamlined immigration route for qualified healthcare professionals.

Key roles sponsored:

• Doctors and surgeons
• Nurses and midwives
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational therapists
• Healthcare assistants
• Pharmacists

Why the NHS is a top sponsor:

• High demand for healthcare workers due to aging populations and the need for modernization in health services.
• Competitive benefits, including a pension scheme and opportunities for professional development.
• Visa sponsorship is readily available for qualified candidates, and the Immigration Health Surcharge is waived for healthcare professionals on this visa.

Google UK

Industry: Technology
Visa Type: Skilled Worker Visa

As one of the leading tech companies in the world, Google has a significant presence in the UK, with offices in London, Manchester, and other major cities. The tech giant is continuously looking for top international talent to fill roles in software engineering, data science, product management, and artificial intelligence (AI). Google is known for sponsoring highly skilled workers who bring innovation to their projects, particularly in the areas of cloud computing, cybersecurity, and AI development.

Key roles sponsored:

• Software engineers
• Data scientists
• Product managers
• Cloud engineers
• AI and machine learning specialists

Why Google UK is a top sponsor:

• Google is at the forefront of technological innovation, making it an attractive employer for those seeking to work on cutting-edge projects.
• The company provides a robust sponsorship program for skilled workers, including a relocation package, immigration support, and visa sponsorship.
• Google offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and opportunities for career advancement in the tech sector.

Deloitte UK

Industry: Professional Services (Consulting, Finance)
Visa Type: Skilled Worker Visa

Deloitte, one of the “Big Four” professional services firms, has a global reputation for offering consulting, audit, tax, and advisory services. Deloitte UK is consistently looking to hire international professionals with expertise in management consulting, finance, IT, and risk management. The firm sponsors visas for workers who possess specialized skills, particularly in high-demand areas like digital transformation, fintech, and business strategy.

Key roles sponsored:

• Management consultants
• Financial analysts and auditors
• IT consultants
• Risk management specialists
• Cybersecurity experts

Why Deloitte UK is a top sponsor:

• Deloitte offers a wide range of career opportunities across various sectors, making it a highly attractive employer for international professionals.
• The firm provides extensive support for visa sponsorship, including assistance with immigration procedures and relocation packages.
• Deloitte invests in the professional development of its employees, offering training, mentorship, and the chance to work on high-impact projects.

Barclays

Industry: Finance and Banking
Visa Type: Skilled Worker Visa

Barclays is one of the largest and most well-established banks in the UK, offering services in retail, investment banking, and wealth management. The financial sector continues to rely on highly skilled professionals to manage regulatory compliance, risk management, and technological innovation. In particular, the growth of fintech has made Barclays an active sponsor of visas for skilled workers, especially in roles related to digital banking, cybersecurity, and data analysis.

Key roles sponsored:

• Financial analysts
• Compliance officers
• IT and cybersecurity specialists
• Data analysts
• Investment bankers

Why Barclays is a top sponsor:

• As a leading player in both retail and investment banking, Barclays offers diverse opportunities for skilled professionals to advance their careers.
• Barclays has a strong track record of hiring international talent, with established visa sponsorship programs that make it easier for global professionals to join the bank.
• The bank is at the forefront of digital innovation, offering exciting opportunities for those with expertise in fintech and digital banking solutions.

PwC UK (PricewaterhouseCoopers)

Industry: Professional Services
Visa Type: Skilled Worker Visa

PwC is another “Big Four” firm that offers audit, assurance, tax, and consulting services. With a global network and a strong presence in the UK, PwC is a major employer of international talent. The firm is consistently looking for professionals with expertise in consulting, financial advisory, and risk management. PwC’s visa sponsorship program is well-established, making it an attractive option for skilled workers looking to move to the UK.

Key roles sponsored:

• Auditors and tax advisors
• Management consultants
• Financial analysts
• Risk management specialists
• IT consultants

Why PwC UK is a top sponsor:

• PwC is known for its global reach and offers international professionals the chance to work with major clients across various industries.
• The company provides extensive support for visa sponsorship, including relocation assistance and help with navigating the UK’s immigration process.
• PwC invests heavily in training and professional development, making it an excellent place to grow a long-term career.

Accenture UK

Industry: Consulting, Technology
Visa Type: Skilled Worker Visa

Accenture is a global consulting and professional services firm with a strong focus on digital transformation, technology consulting, and management strategy. Accenture UK is known for hiring international professionals who can contribute to high-level consulting projects, particularly in areas like cloud computing, digital strategy, and AI. The company regularly sponsors visas for skilled workers in technology and management consulting roles.

Key roles sponsored:

• Technology consultants
• Digital transformation specialists
• AI and machine learning experts
• Business strategy consultants
• IT project managers

Why Accenture UK is a top sponsor:

• Accenture offers exciting opportunities to work on innovative projects with clients across industries such as finance, healthcare, and technology.
• The firm provides visa sponsorship and a structured relocation process, making it easier for international workers to join the UK workforce.
• Accenture invests in its employees through continuous professional development, training, and mentoring programs.

Jaguar Land Rover

Industry: Automotive and Engineering
Visa Type: Skilled Worker Visa

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is one of the UK’s leading automotive companies, known for its high-end vehicles and commitment to innovation in engineering. With a focus on developing electric vehicles (EVs) and incorporating cutting-edge technology into their products, JLR is seeking skilled engineers and tech experts from around the world. As the automotive industry faces a skills shortage in areas like software development and electrical engineering, JLR has become a significant sponsor of visas for international workers.

Key roles sponsored:

• Automotive engineers
• Electrical and mechanical engineers
• Software developers for automotive systems
• Product designers
• Manufacturing engineers

Why Jaguar Land Rover is a top sponsor:

• JLR offers opportunities to work on pioneering projects in the automotive sector, particularly in the development of electric and autonomous vehicles.
• The company actively sponsors visas for skilled engineers and technology professionals, offering a pathway for international talent to contribute to innovation in the automotive industry.
• JLR provides a competitive benefits package, including relocation support and opportunities for professional growth.

Amazon UK

Industry: E-Commerce, Technology
Visa Type: Skilled Worker Visa

Amazon is a global e-commerce giant that continues to expand its operations in the UK, creating demand for a wide range of roles, from warehouse management to software development and IT operations. Amazon has been a consistent sponsor of visas for skilled professionals in areas such as cloud computing (through AWS), logistics, and supply chain management. The company’s tech-driven approach also opens doors for software engineers, data scientists, and machine learning experts.

Key roles sponsored:

• Software engineers and developers
• AWS cloud specialists
• Data scientists
• Supply chain and logistics managers
• IT project managers

Why Amazon UK is a top sponsor:

• Amazon is one of the world’s most innovative companies, offering opportunities to work in e-commerce, cloud computing, and cutting-edge logistics systems.
• The company provides a well-established visa sponsorship program, including relocation packages and support for international professionals moving to the UK.
• Amazon offers competitive salaries, benefits, and career progression opportunities in both tech and operational roles.

AstraZeneca

Industry: Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology
Visa Type: Skilled Worker Visa

AstraZeneca is a global biopharmaceutical company based in the UK, known for its groundbreaking research and development in vaccines, oncology, and other critical health areas. The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing rapid growth, particularly in research and innovation

. AstraZeneca is actively recruiting skilled scientists, researchers, and engineers from around the world, offering visa sponsorship for those working on life-saving medical technologies.

Key roles sponsored:

• Research scientists
• Clinical trial specialists
• Biopharmaceutical engineers
• Data analysts for clinical research
• Quality assurance specialists

Why AstraZeneca is a top sponsor:

• AstraZeneca offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge pharmaceutical research that has a global impact, including developing life-saving treatments.
• The company sponsors visas for highly skilled professionals in science and technology, providing pathways for international workers to join their research and development teams.
• AstraZeneca offers competitive salaries, career development, and the chance to contribute to major global health initiatives.

Unilever

Industry: Consumer Goods
Visa Type: Skilled Worker Visa

Unilever is a multinational consumer goods company with a strong presence in the UK, producing well-known brands in the areas of food, personal care, and household products. As a global company, Unilever regularly sponsors skilled workers for roles in supply chain management, product development, marketing, and sustainability. The company is particularly focused on hiring professionals with expertise in digital marketing, data analytics, and sustainability.

Key roles sponsored:

• Supply chain managers
• Product developers
• Digital marketing specialists
• Sustainability consultants
• Data analysts

Why Unilever is a top sponsor:

• Unilever offers opportunities to work for a global brand known for innovation and sustainability, with roles across multiple business areas.
• The company provides visa sponsorship for skilled professionals, offering support for relocation and immigration processes.
• Unilever is committed to sustainability and offers exciting roles for those passionate about driving environmental and social change within the consumer goods sector.

Conclusion

In 2024, the UK continues to rely on skilled international workers to fill key roles across a variety of industries. Companies like the NHS, Google, Deloitte, and AstraZeneca are actively sponsoring visas, providing opportunities for professionals to contribute to some of the UK’s most critical sectors. Whether you’re in healthcare, technology, finance, engineering, or pharmaceuticals, there are numerous opportunities to find a job with visa sponsorship and build a successful career in the UK.