Why Finance Businesses Work With Us
London has retained its position as a global financial centre but the talent pool that fills it has always been international. Investment analysts, quants, compliance specialists and senior relationship managers rarely come exclusively from the domestic market. A sponsor licence is how you maintain access to the full candidate field.
Financial services sponsorship has specific complications that other sectors do not face. FCA approval timelines, Senior Manager regime obligations and the interaction between regulatory sign-off and visa processing all need coordinating. We know how the two systems intersect and we structure the process to avoid the delays that catch firms out.
Roles Typically Sponsored in Finance
SOC code accuracy matters more than most people realise. Incorrect classification is one of the most common reasons a Certificate of Sponsorship gets refused or flagged at audit.
Investment Analyst and Fund Manager
Portfolio management, equity research, credit analysis and multi-asset investment roles.
Quantitative Analyst
Quant strategy, derivatives pricing, risk modelling and systematic trading.
Risk Manager
Market, credit, operational and enterprise risk management.
Compliance Officer
FCA-regulated compliance functions, MLRO roles and regulatory affairs.
Corporate Finance and M and A
Deal execution, capital markets, structured finance and advisory roles.
FinTech Developer
Product engineers and architects in regulated financial technology businesses.
Actuary
Life, general insurance and pensions actuarial roles. IFoA or FIA qualification is standard.
Private Client Manager
Wealth management, private banking and HNW client servicing.
Which Immigration Routes Apply
We confirm the correct route and applicable threshold on your free assessment call. Figures below reflect 2026 thresholds.
| Route | Minimum Salary 2026 | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | £38,700 general / going rate | The primary route for most finance roles. Many roles carry going rates above the general threshold so the specific SOC going rate must be confirmed before any offer is made. |
| Global Talent | No salary threshold | For exceptional individuals in financial services or fintech. Endorsed by designated competent bodies. Worth exploring for senior hires who may qualify independently. |
| Senior or Specialist Worker | £48,500 or going rate | For international banks and asset managers transferring senior staff to London operations. |
| High Potential Individual | No salary threshold | For recent graduates of top global universities. No sponsor required. A useful talent pipeline before formal Skilled Worker sponsorship. |
What Finance Sponsors Get Wrong
These are the areas UKVI focuses on most when visiting finance businesses. Getting them right before you start is considerably easier than fixing them after a visit.
- 🏛️FCA Senior Manager Regime AlignmentSMF holders and Certified Persons have separate FCA approval processes with their own timelines. Immigration approval and regulatory approval do not move in sync unless you plan for it. We coordinate both from the start.
- 💰Salary and Bonus StructuresPerformance bonuses, carried interest, deferred compensation and profit-sharing are all excluded from the threshold calculation. Only guaranteed base salary counts. This is frequently misunderstood in offer letters for senior finance roles.
- 📋Role Changes and FCA NotificationsA significant change to an FCA-approved worker's role may trigger a UKVI CoS update and an FCA Form C notification simultaneously. Missing either creates separate regulatory exposure.
- ✈️International Mobility and Business TravelFinance professionals travel internationally for client work, deal execution and roadshows. Extended overseas periods must not breach sponsored worker restrictions. We advise on structuring international mobility policies correctly from the outset.
Financial services firms that include bonuses and variable compensation in the CoS salary figure are creating a compliance liability. UKVI applies the going rate test to guaranteed base salary only. Being below the going rate by even a small margin can result in the worker's leave being curtailed.
What Clients Say About Working With Us
"Clear advice, straightforward pricing and a genuinely fast turnaround. We have used ACG for three separate sponsor licence matters now and would not go anywhere else."
"As a fast-growing tech startup we needed this urgently. ACG walked us through every step. The documentation was immaculate. Approved first time."
"We had a refusal from another firm. ACG identified the exact issue, rebuilt the application from scratch and got us approved within 5 days."