vbybnIntroduction
The UK’s Skilled Worker visa route remains one of the most sought-after paths for foreign nationals seeking employment and residency in the United Kingdom. For many applicants, a primary question is: which jobs are eligible for sponsorship in 2025? This article offers a comprehensive, up-to-date guide to the 2025 Skilled Worker visa job list, employer sponsorship rules, key changes coming in 2025.
The Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2 General) allows non-UK citizens to work in the UK if they have a job offer from a licensed sponsor, meet skill and salary requirements, and satisfy other eligibility criteria (e.g. English language).
Key requirements include:
A valid job offer from an approved UK employer (a licensed sponsor)
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the employer
Meeting the salary threshold (or “going rate”) for the given occupation code
The role must satisfy skills level requirements (e.g. graduate level or certain RQF level)
Other criteria include English language, maintenance funds, and character checks
Because of evolving immigration rules, the UK government now uses a combination of occupational codes, salary thresholds, and additional lists (such as the Immigration Salary List (ISL) and Temporary Shortage List) to determine which roles qualify.
2025: Key Changes & New Rules You Must Know
Before diving into the eligible jobs list, it’s critical to understand the new framework changes affecting Skilled Worker sponsorship in 2025.
Replacement of Shortage Occupation List with Immigration Salary List
As of 4 April 2024, the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) was replaced by the Immigration Salary List (ISL).
Under the ISL, roles may receive a 20% discount on a lower salary threshold for certain occupations, but it is narrower in coverage than the old SOL.
The ISL is expected to exist until December 2026, at which point further revisions may follow.
Introduction of the Temporary Shortage List (TSL)
The Temporary Shortage List supplements the ISL by permitting certain lower-skilled (RQF 3-5) roles to be sponsored, albeit subject to extra restrictions.
Being on the TSL does not grant salary discount — it merely permits a lower skills threshold.
Roles on TSL must meet general salary threshold and occupation’s going rate even if below degree level.
Important: From 22 July 2025, new entrants in RQF 3–5 roles on ISL or TSL cannot bring dependents, except in limited circumstances.
Higher Salary Thresholds & Changes in Sponsorship Rules
New salary threshold rules come into force on 22 July 2025.
The government restructured the skilled occupations appendix to separate graduate (RQF 6+) and sub-degree (RQF 3–5) roles.
Applicants newly sponsored on or after that date in RQF 3–5 roles will not be permitted to bring family members (spouse, children) unless certain conditions are met.
Workers already on the Skilled Worker route in RQF 3–5 roles prior to 22 July 2025 may continue to be sponsored for similar roles (for now) and retain family rights.
With these changes, many occupations that were once easily sponsored under the old regime are no longer eligible unless they meet stricter criteria.
Which Jobs Are Eligible for Sponsorship in 2025?
Below is an overview of how the UK determines which jobs are eligible, plus examples of occupation groups and roles currently qualifying under the Skilled Worker route.
Determining Eligibility: SOC Codes, Skills Level & Salary Rates
The UK uses SOC 2020 occupation codes to categorize job roles. The government publishes a formal list of eligible occupations and codes.
Each occupation code is assigned a “higher skilled,” “medium skilled,” or “ineligible” classification. Only those that are higher or medium skilled are generally eligible.
For each occupation, there is a going rate salary (per year or per hour equivalent). The job must pay at least that rate (or sometimes more) to qualify.
In addition to the going rate, jobs usually must meet a general salary threshold (which is being adjusted under new rules)
Examples of Eligible Occupation Groups & Roles
While the complete list is too long to reproduce in full here, some of the broad classes and sample roles include:
ICT / Software & DevOps: software developers, systems analysts, network engineers
Engineering & Technical: mechanical engineers, civil engineers, electrical engineers
Healthcare & Life Sciences: doctors, nurses, medical scientists, pharmacists
Finance & Accounting: actuaries, management accountants
Education & Research: university lecturers, research scientists
Science & Technology: data scientists, laboratory technicians, chemists
Architecture & Surveying
These correspond to specific SOC codes. To find your code and whether your role is included, consult the official “Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes” list from GOV.UK.
Temporary Shortage List (TSL) Roles
The TSL offers some flexibility by permitting sub-degree roles (RQF 3-5) in high-demand trades and technical roles to be sponsored. Some of these include:
Vehicle technicians, mechanics, and electricians (SOC 5231)
Pipe fitters, HVAC installers, refrigeration and air conditioning trades (SOC 5214, 5241)
Construction and building trades supervisors (SOC 5330)
Plumbers, heating and ventilating installers (SOC 5315)
Electricians and electrical fitters (SOC 5241)
Metal working and maintenance fitters (SOC 5223)
Security system installers and network equipment installers (SOC 5245)
Laboratory & engineering technicians (SOC 3111, 3112, etc.)
These roles must still meet the salary and going rate thresholds even if they fall under the TSL.
What Roles Are Now Excluded / Restricted
With new changes:
Many lower-skilled jobs that were once on the old SOL have been removed if they do not satisfy the new criteria.
After 22 July 2025, if you are applying for the first time in an RQF 3-5 role, you cannot bring dependents.
Roles not matched to an eligible SOC code or those below the going rate or salary thresholds are not eligible.
How to Use the Full List & Check If Your Role Qualifies
Here’s how applicants and employers can check eligibility:
1. Find the SOC code for your role (or close equivalent)
2. Use the official “eligible occupations and codes” list from GOV.UK to see if your code is listed.
3. Check the going rate (salary) for that code from the “going rates for eligible occupation codes” schedule.
4. Verify that your employer is a licensed sponsor and can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
5. For roles in RQF 3-5 levels, check if your SOC code is included in the Temporary Shortage List (TSL).
6. After 22 July 2025, check whether the role qualifies for the family rights clause (if you want to bring dependents).
Employers should consult “Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors” (GOV.UK) for their obligations and how to maintain compliance.
Top Employers Offering Visa Sponsorship in the UK (2025)
Securing a role that offers visa sponsorship is as important as the role itself. Some organizations are known to regularly sponsor candidates:
National Health Service (NHS) — heavy demand for medical and allied roles.
Technology & Big Tech: Google UK, Amazon UK, Microsoft, etc.
Professional Services: PwC, EY, Deloitte, KPMG — though tighter rules have hit some graduate intakes.
Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences: GSK, AstraZeneca
Engineering & Manufacturing Firms: Rolls-Royce, etc.
These companies often have established sponsor licenses, making them safer targets for job-seekers.
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