It’s 2025, and the U.K. job market has officially shifted into a new phase. After years of workforce shortages and policy back-and-forth, employers are once again opening their doors to skilled professionals from abroad. But this time, they’re paying serious money — and offering visa sponsorship to match.
If you’re aiming to earn over $100,000 (around £80,000–£100,000+), there’s real opportunity ahead. However, it’s not as simple as landing any “sponsored job” ad online. With new visa salary rules, skill thresholds, and competition heating up, you need to know which roles, employers, and sectors actually pay that much — and which ones are just noise.
Let’s unpack how visa sponsorship works in 2025, what’s changed, and where the six-figure jobs are hiding.
🏛️ The 2025 Rule Update: Higher Salaries, Fewer Loopholes
The U.K.’s immigration policy took a big leap in July 2025, when the Home Office raised the minimum Skilled Worker visa salary from £38,700 to £41,700. On paper, that sounds like a headache. But for high-earning professionals, it’s not a deal-breaker — it actually narrows the pool to serious roles that genuinely need sponsorship.
A few details worth knowing:
- You now need to be working in a job at RQF Level 6 or higher (roughly degree-level or equivalent).
- Your salary must meet both the general threshold and the occupation’s “going rate”.
- Employers must hold a valid A-rated sponsor licence — without it, your visa can’t be issued.
- The “Immigration Salary List” has replaced the old Shortage Occupation List, with updated pay scales for healthcare, engineering, and education.
It sounds like bureaucracy, but the practical takeaway is this: if your role pays £80K or above, you’re well clear of the salary hurdles. The real challenge is finding an employer willing to handle sponsorship paperwork (and some are better equipped than others).
💼 Where the £100K+ Sponsored Jobs Are
You’re not going to walk into a six-figure sponsorship offer fresh out of school. These jobs usually sit in one of three categories: senior technical roles, executive or strategic leadership positions, or specialized professions where the U.K. has a talent gap.
Here are the main sectors worth watching:
1. Technology & AI
Think: Senior Software Engineers, Cloud Architects, AI Researchers, Data Science Leads.
With London’s tech scene rebounding post-2024, salaries in the £90K–£130K range are back. Big players like Amazon, Google, DeepMind, and Deloitte regularly sponsor skilled worker visas for these positions.
Average total compensation (including bonuses): £100K–£140K+
2. Finance & Investment
Risk Managers, Quant Analysts, Investment Bank VPs, Compliance Directors.
The City of London remains one of the world’s top financial hubs. Visa sponsorship here is common for mid- to senior-level finance pros.
Expect base salaries around £85K–£120K, with bonuses easily pushing past £150K.
3. Healthcare & Medical
For doctors, pharmacists, and senior healthcare specialists, visa sponsorship is practically guaranteed under the Health and Care Worker Visa. Consultant-level doctors in private hospitals or leadership roles within the NHS can easily clear £100K.
NHS Consultant pay range: £93K–£126K, plus overtime or private work.
4. Engineering & Energy
Project Managers, Civil Engineers, Renewable Energy Directors.
Infrastructure projects (like HS2 and offshore wind farms) have made engineering sponsorships more common again. Senior-level engineers and project directors often command six-figure packages, especially with relocation benefits.
Salaries: £80K–£120K, plus housing or travel allowances.
5. Law, Consulting & Corporate
At the top end of law firms and consultancy houses, international talent is constantly in demand. Senior Legal Counsel, Tax Partners, Strategy Consultants — all frequent visa sponsorship candidates.
Base salaries from £90K to £150K+, depending on firm and experience.
🏗️ Real Examples of 2025 Sponsored Jobs
Here’s what current listings look like across major job boards:
- Lead Full-Stack Engineer — London (£100K+)
Visa sponsorship included, working on cloud-based infrastructure for fintech clients. - AI / Cybersecurity Manager — Hybrid, UK-wide (£95K–£140K)
Employer offers relocation support and skilled worker sponsorship for overseas candidates. - Consultant Cardiologist — Private Hospital, Manchester (£125K)
Health & Care visa eligible; assistance provided for GMC registration. - Senior Risk Analyst — London Investment Bank (£110K)
Tier 2 sponsorship offered; CFA or equivalent required.
Most of these jobs aren’t advertised loudly as “visa sponsorship roles” — they’re buried in standard listings on Indeed, LinkedIn, or CWJobs. The key is filtering by “visa sponsorship available” or checking employer licence databases before applying.
💷 Understanding the £100K Figure
It’s easy to get fixated on the number, but £100K in London isn’t what it used to be. Between tax bands, National Insurance, and high rents, your take-home may look closer to £5,000–£5,500 a month after deductions.
That said, the trade-off is access — these roles often come with:
- Free visa sponsorship (employer covers Home Office fees)
- Relocation allowance or housing support
- Private healthcare
- Pension contributions
- Pathways to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years
So even if the cash isn’t pure profit, the long-term value of these offers is huge — especially if you’re planning to settle.
✈️ Who’s Eligible for Sponsorship in 2025
If you have one of the following, you’re already on strong footing:
- A bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field
- At least 3–5 years of experience in a skilled occupation
- English proficiency (IELTS or equivalent)
- A job offer from a licensed sponsor
- Salary that meets or exceeds both thresholds
For health and education jobs, additional registrations (like GMC or QTS) are mandatory.
🔍 How to Find UK $100K+ Sponsorship Jobs
Here’s a short, practical roadmap:
- Start with the Sponsor List:
Check the Home Office register of licensed sponsors. It’s public and searchable. - Filter job boards:
Use search terms like “visa sponsorship available” + your job title on LinkedIn, Reed, or Indeed UK. - Target high-value sectors:
Tech, finance, engineering, and healthcare lead the pack. Hospitality and education lag behind in pay scale. - Look beyond London:
Regional offices (Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh) often pay slightly less but come with cheaper living costs and smoother visa processing. - Don’t underestimate smaller firms:
Many boutique consultancies and private hospitals have started sponsoring visas to fill talent gaps — they just don’t market it aggressively.
⚠️ A Few Honest Warnings
- Scams exist. If an “employer” asks you to pay for a job offer or visa certificate, walk away. Real sponsors never charge applicants.
- Timelines matter. Visa processing typically takes 3–8 weeks once the Certificate of Sponsorship is issued, so plan accordingly.
- Experience counts. Six-figure sponsorships rarely go to newcomers; proven expertise (and sometimes U.K.-based references) make a difference.
🌍 The Bottom Line
The U.K. is in an unusual position right now — it’s tightening immigration controls but simultaneously begging for high-skilled professionals. For those who meet the criteria, that creates a sweet spot: fewer competitors and more lucrative offers.
Earning $100K+ (or £80K–£100K+) on a U.K. work visa in 2025 isn’t fantasy. It’s the reality for thousands of engineers, doctors, and senior specialists moving this year. The key is alignment: your skills, the job code, and an employer ready to sponsor you.
If you’re strategic, do your homework, and apply smartly, your next offer might not just come with a relocation bonus — it might come with a new postcode.