Companies That Sponsor Work Visas

Companies That Sponsor Work Visas

Companies That Sponsor Work Visas: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025

For international professionals seeking to work abroad, securing a job with a company that sponsors work visas is a critical step. Visa sponsorship allows employers to legally hire foreign workers by facilitating their work visa applications, enabling them to live and work in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and others. This article provides a detailed overview of companies that sponsor work visas, focusing primarily on the U.S. (H-1B visas) and the U.K. (Skilled Worker Visas), the sponsorship process, eligibility requirements, and tips for securing sponsorship. It also highlights key industries and notable companies known for sponsoring visas, based on recent data and trends as of July 2025.

Understanding Work Visa Sponsorship

Work visa sponsorship involves an employer obtaining legal authorization to hire a foreign worker by applying for a work visa on their behalf. The process varies by country, but it typically requires the employer to prove that the job cannot be filled by a local candidate and that the foreign worker meets specific qualifications. Below are the key work visa programs for the U.S. and U.K.:

United States: H-1B Visa

The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant work visa that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Key features include:

  • Duration: Valid for three years, extendable to six years.
  • Annual Cap: 65,000 visas per fiscal year, plus 20,000 additional visas for candidates with a U.S. master’s degree or higher.
  • Eligibility: Candidates must hold a valid job offer for a specialty occupation and possess a U.S. bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
  • Costs: Employers pay a registration fee of $215, an I-129 form fee ($460 or $780, depending on company size), an anti-fraud fee of $500, and potentially a $4,000 fee if H-1B workers make up a high percentage of their workforce.
  • Process: Employers register candidates in a lottery (held annually in March), and if selected, they submit a petition to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

United Kingdom: Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker Visa allows U.K. employers to hire foreign workers for skilled roles where there is a shortage of local candidates. Key features include:

  • Requirements: Employers must hold a valid sponsor license and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the candidate. The job must meet minimum salary thresholds and skill levels.
  • Eligibility: Candidates need a job offer from a licensed sponsor, proficiency in English, and qualifications matching the role.
  • Process: Employers apply for a sponsor license, issue a CoS, and candidates apply for the visa through the U.K. Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Industries and Companies That Sponsor Work Visas

Visa sponsorship is common in industries facing skill shortages, such as technology, finance, healthcare, and engineering. Below is a detailed list of notable companies known for sponsoring work visas, based on recent data from 2024 and 2025.

United States: Top H-1B Visa Sponsors

The following companies are among the top sponsors of H-1B visas, based on certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) in 2024. These companies operate in technology, consulting, finance, and other high-skill sectors.

  1. Amazon
    • Industry: Technology, E-commerce
    • H-1B Filings (2024): 14,783 (including 23 for Whole Foods)
    • Average Salary: $136,717 (2022 data)
    • Details: Amazon is a leading H-1B sponsor, hiring for roles in software engineering, data science, and cloud computing. It supports diversity and inclusion, employing thousands of foreign workers globally.
  2. Google (Alphabet)
    • Industry: Technology
    • H-1B Filings (2024): 5,537 (including 115 from Waymo and Verily)
    • Average Salary: $164,839 (2022 data)
    • Details: Google sponsors H-1B visas for roles in software engineering, AI, and product management across its global offices. It emphasizes diversity and inclusion initiatives.
  3. Cognizant
    • Industry: IT Services, Consulting
    • H-1B Filings (2024): 6,321
    • Details: Cognizant, a global IT services provider, sponsors H-1B visas for roles in IT consulting, software development, and digital transformation. It employs over 340,000 people worldwide.
  4. Meta
    • Industry: Technology, Social Media
    • H-1B Filings (2024): 4,844
    • Details: Meta hires foreign talent for roles in software engineering, data science, and AI, with a focus on innovation in social media and virtual reality.
  5. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
    • Industry: IT Services, Consulting
    • H-1B Filings (2024): Not specified for 2024, but 2,854 in 2022
    • Details: TCS, based in Mumbai, sponsors H-1B visas for IT professionals, with a global workforce exceeding 601,000.
  6. Microsoft
    • Industry: Technology
    • H-1B Filings (2022): 1,008
    • Average Salary: $151,870 (2022 data)
    • Details: Microsoft sponsors H-1B visas for technical roles in software development, cloud computing, and AI.
  7. Apple
    • Industry: Technology
    • H-1B Filings (2022): 930
    • Average Salary: $170,000 (2022 data)
    • Details: Apple sponsors H-1B visas for roles in hardware and software engineering, with a strong focus on innovation.
  8. Deloitte
    • Industry: Consulting
    • H-1B Filings (2023): 2,160
    • Details: Deloitte sponsors H-1B visas for consulting, accounting, and technology roles, with a global workforce of over 457,000.
  9. Accenture
    • Industry: Consulting, IT Services
    • H-1B Filings (2022): 1,097
    • Details: Accenture sponsors H-1B visas for roles in IT consulting, digital transformation, and analytics, serving clients in over 120 countries.
  10. Ernst & Young (EY)
    • Industry: Finance, Consulting
    • Details: EY is a top sponsor in the finance industry, hiring for accounting, auditing, and consulting roles.

United Kingdom: Top Skilled Worker Visa Sponsors

The U.K. government maintains a Register of Licensed Sponsors for the Skilled Worker Visa, with approximately 80,000 companies licensed as of July 2025. Below are notable companies that regularly sponsor visas.

  1. HSBC
    • Industry: Finance, Banking
    • Details: HSBC sponsors Skilled Worker Visas for roles in finance, analytics, and technology, with a strong presence in London.
  2. J.P. Morgan
    • Industry: Finance, Investment Banking
    • Details: J.P. Morgan offers visa sponsorship for finance, analytics, and technology roles, providing mentorship and relocation support.
  3. Goldman Sachs
    • Industry: Finance, Investment Banking
    • Details: Goldman Sachs sponsors visas for roles in finance, technology, and investment management, with comprehensive relocation support.
  4. NHS (National Health Service)
    • Industry: Healthcare
    • Details: The NHS sponsors visas for medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, to address U.K. healthcare shortages.
  5. Amazon
    • Industry: Technology, E-commerce
    • Details: Amazon sponsors visas for roles in software engineering, logistics, and data science, with offices across the U.K.
  6. Google
    • Industry: Technology
    • Details: Google sponsors visas for technical roles in London and other U.K. locations, focusing on AI, cloud computing, and product development.
  7. Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC
    • Industry: Consulting, Accounting
    • Details: These “Big Four” firms sponsor visas for consulting, auditing, and tax advisory roles, targeting skilled professionals globally.
  8. Rolls-Royce
    • Industry: Engineering, Aerospace
    • Details: Rolls-Royce sponsors visas for engineering and technology roles, particularly in aerospace and manufacturing.
  9. GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)
    • Industry: Pharmaceuticals
    • Details: GSK sponsors visas for roles in research, development, and manufacturing within the pharmaceutical sector.
  10. McKinsey & Company
    • Industry: Consulting
    • Details: McKinsey sponsors visas for management consulting roles, targeting international talent with advanced degrees.

Other Countries

  • Canada: Companies like Google Canada, PwC Canada, KPMG, Shopify, Scotiabank, Amazon Canada, and IBM Canada are known to sponsor work visas for roles in technology, finance, and consulting.
  • Australia: Visa sponsorship jobs are available in healthcare (e.g., enrolled nurses, aged care), engineering, and IT, with companies offering relocation support and visa sponsorship for roles like refrigeration mechanics and mining accountants.

Visa Sponsorship Process

United States (H-1B Visa)

  1. Secure a Job Offer: Candidates must obtain a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor an H-1B visa.
  2. Employer Registration: The employer registers the candidate in the H-1B lottery (March annually) and pays a $215 fee per candidate.
  3. Lottery Selection: If selected, the employer submits an I-129 petition to USCIS, including fees ($460 or $780, plus $500 anti-fraud fee).
  4. Documentation: Candidates provide educational certificates, passports, and proof of qualifications.
  5. Approval: If approved, the candidate can begin working in the U.S. for up to three years, extendable to six.

United Kingdom (Skilled Worker Visa)

  1. Employer Eligibility: The employer must hold a valid sponsor license from the UKVI.
  2. Job Offer and CoS: The employer issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the candidate, detailing the job role and salary.
  3. Visa Application: The candidate applies for the Skilled Worker Visa, providing the CoS, proof of English proficiency, and other documents.
  4. UKVI Review: The UKVI reviews the application and may conduct employer site visits to ensure compliance.
  5. Approval: If approved, the candidate can work in the U.K. for the sponsoring employer.

Tips for Securing Visa Sponsorship

  1. Target Large Employers: Larger corporations (e.g., Amazon, Google, HSBC) often have established visa sponsorship programs and resources to handle the process.
  2. Research Licensed Sponsors: For the U.K., use the Register of Licensed Sponsors to identify eligible employers. For the U.S., check databases like MyVisaJobs for H-1B sponsor lists.
  3. Leverage Professional Networks: International students with U.S. or U.K. degrees, internships, or industry connections have a higher chance of securing sponsorship.
  4. Tailor Applications: Highlight specialized skills and qualifications that match “specialty occupations” (e.g., engineering, IT, finance) to justify visa sponsorship.
  5. Consult Immigration Experts: Engage immigration lawyers or services like Sponsor Licence Lawyers (U.K.) or Total Law (U.S.) for guidance on applications.
  6. Apply Early: For H-1B visas, the lottery opens in March, so secure a job offer well in advance. For U.K. visas, apply as soon as a CoS is issued.

Challenges and Considerations

  • H-1B Lottery Competition: The U.S. H-1B program is highly competitive, with only 85,000 visas available annually against hundreds of thousands of applications.
  • Costs for Employers: Sponsoring a visa can be costly, deterring smaller companies. Large corporations are more likely to absorb these costs.
  • Legal Compliance: Employers must comply with strict regulations, such as proving no local candidates are available (U.K.) or meeting prevailing wage requirements (U.S.).
  • Processing Times: H-1B visas can take 8–10 months, while U.K. Skilled Worker Visas typically take 6–8 weeks.
  • Alternative Visas: If sponsorship is not secured, explore other visa options like the O-1 (extraordinary ability), L-1 (intra-company transfer), or J-1 (internships).

Conclusion

Securing a work visa sponsorship is a critical step for international professionals aiming to work in the U.S., U.K., or other countries with strict immigration laws. Companies like Amazon, Google, Cognizant, HSBC, and the NHS are among the top sponsors, offering opportunities in technology, finance, healthcare, and consulting. By targeting these employers, leveraging professional networks, and understanding the visa application process, candidates can increase their chances of success. Resources like MyVisaJobs (U.S.) and the U.K. Register of Licensed Sponsors are invaluable for identifying potential sponsors. For personalized assistance, consult immigration experts to navigate the complex visa process.

For more information:

  • U.S. H-1B Visa: Visit uscis.gov for official guidelines.
  • U.K. Skilled Worker Visa: Check the gov.uk Register of Licensed Sponsors.
  • Job Search Platforms: Explore MyVisaJobs, USponsorMe, or findajob.dwp.gov.uk for visa sponsorship opportunities.

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