In 2025, the UK's digital landscape continues to evolve rapidly, intensifying the demand for skilled IT professionals. With domestic talent supply struggling to meet this demand, businesses are increasingly turning to sponsorship to tap into the global talent pool. This article explores the benefits of hiring international IT professionals, outlines the step-by-step sponsorship process, and highlights essential compliance considerations.
The Growing Need for Global IT Talent in the UK
The UK's tech sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and cloud computing. However, this rapid expansion has led to a significant skills gap. To address this, businesses are leveraging the Skilled Worker route to recruit international talent through sponsorship.
Benefits of Sponsoring IT Professionals from Overseas
Hiring international IT professionals through sponsorship offers several strategic advantages:
- Access to a Global Talent Pool
Countries like India and Ukraine produce a vast number of IT graduates annually, providing UK businesses with access to a diverse and highly skilled workforce.
- Bridging the Domestic Skills Gap
With the replacement of the Shortage Occupation List by the Immigration Salary List in April 2024, certain IT roles now qualify for reduced salary thresholds, facilitating easier recruitment.
- Enhancing Innovation and Competitiveness
International hires bring diverse perspectives and expertise, fostering innovation and giving businesses a competitive edge in the tech industry.
- Reducing Employment Costs
The average base salary for a software developer in London exceeds £57,000 per year. In contrast, software developers in India earn an average of £7,500. Meanwhile, in Eastern Europe, average salaries range from £35,000 to £40,000. Due to the abundance of talent in, for example, the Indian and European markets the average salary expectation of those workers is less than that of UK-based professionals. This means you can have some of the brightest minds working for you without hunting for talent within a limited, local pool.
How to Sponsor IT Professionals in the UK: A Step-by-Step Process
Navigating the sponsorship process involves several critical steps:
Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence
To employ international IT professionals, your company must first apply for a sponsor licence from the Home Office. This involves submitting a sponsor licence application, paying the relevant sponsor licence fees, and providing necessary documentation as outlined in the sponsor licence guidance.
Documents Required:
- Company registration details
- VAT registration
- Employer’s liability insurance
- Proof of trading presence in the UK
Sponsor Licence Fees:
- Small businesses/charities: £536
- Medium/large businesses: £1,476
Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Once your sponsor licence is approved, you can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship UK to the prospective employee. Each CoS code must accurately reflect the job role and duties, aligning with the Appendix Skilled Occupations list and meeting the skilled worker salary threshold.
Step 3: Support the Visa Application Process
The employee uses the assigned Certificate of Sponsorship UK to apply for a work visa UK, specifically the Skilled Worker visa. Ensure that the offered salary meets the immigration salary list UK rates or the going rate skilled worker benchmark.
Step 4: Maintain Compliance with Sponsorship Duties
Post-hiring, your company must adhere to sponsor duties and compliance requirements, including:
- Regularly updating the Sponsor Management System (SMS)
- Performing right to work checks using tools like the share code check
- Conducting internal audits to prevent issues that could lead to a sponsor licence suspended or sponsor licence revoked status
Understanding how to check right to work in UK and maintaining accurate records are essential to pass potential Home Office inspections (audits). Read more about maintaining sponsorship compliance in our blog.
Leverage the International Labour Market to Drive Your Success in the Global Market
Modern businesses – especially IT businesses – are more global-facing than ever before, and to succeed in this global landscape, you have to be backed by an expert team of professionals.
While there are many benefits to sponsoring IT professionals, the process of sponsorship in the UK can be a complex, stressful, and time-consuming procedure.
At Nation.better, we are dedicated to making this process streamlined and seamless for you through our end-to-end sponsorship services. If you feel that you are in need of assistance, fill in this form – our team will contact you with detailed information on how we can support your business in attracting top international talent.
FAQ Section
What is the process to sponsor an IT professional in the UK in 2025?
To sponsor an IT professional in the UK in 2025, your business must first apply for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence through the Home Office. After approval, you can assign a Certificate of Sponsorship UK to your candidate. They will then use this certificate to apply for a work visa UK under the Skilled Worker route, ensuring the role meets the immigration salary list UK thresholds. Once employed, you must maintain sponsorship compliance, including regular updates to the Sponsor Management System and conducting right to work checks.
How much does it cost to sponsor a skilled IT worker in the UK?
The total cost to sponsor a skilled IT worker in the UK includes the sponsor licence fees (£536 for small businesses and £1,476 for large companies), the Certificate of Sponsorship cost, and the immigration skills charge, which is £364 or £1,000 per year depending on your company size. Additionally, you'll need to offer a salary that meets or exceeds the rates set by the immigration salary list UK for the relevant IT role.
Which IT roles are eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa in 2025?
In 2025, high-demand IT roles eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa UK include software developers, data scientists, cybersecurity analysts, cloud architects, AI specialists, and others. These roles are recognised on the immigration salary list UK, allowing businesses with a sponsorship licence to hire international talent while meeting reduced salary thresholds and filling critical skill gaps.
What is the minimum salary for sponsoring an IT worker in the UK?
The minimum salary to sponsor an IT worker in the UK depends on the role and experience, as defined by the immigration salary list UK. As of 2025, most IT positions require a salary of at least £38,700 or the going rate skilled worker threshold specific to the job title. Some positions may qualify for lower thresholds if they meet the eligibility criteria under the new salary rules.
Why should UK businesses sponsor IT professionals from overseas?
UK businesses should sponsor IT professionals from overseas to bridge the local skills gap, especially as demand for digital skills in areas like cybersecurity, AI, and cloud computing grows. Through the Skilled Worker sponsor licence, companies gain access to highly qualified global talent from countries like India and Ukraine while benefiting from competitive salary expectations compared to the UK market. This approach helps businesses stay innovative, cost-effective, and globally competitive.