The technology sector is the UK's largest user of the Skilled Worker visa route for corporate sponsors. Software engineers, data scientists, DevOps specialists and product managers are all routinely sponsored under the route. If your tech business needs to hire internationally, whether from a global talent pool or to bring a specific person whose skills are not available domestically, here is what you need to know.
Why Tech Companies Use Sponsor Licences
The domestic supply of senior software engineers, machine learning specialists and certain infrastructure roles does not meet demand. For many technology businesses, international hiring is not a workaround, it is a core part of their talent strategy. A sponsor licence gives you access to the global talent pool on a permanent basis, not just for one hire. Once you have the licence, assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship for each new hire is straightforward.
Roles That Can Be Sponsored
The technology roles most commonly sponsored under the Skilled Worker route include software engineers and developers (SOC 2136), data scientists and analysts (SOC 2425), IT project managers (SOC 1136), DevOps and infrastructure engineers (SOC 3132), product managers (SOC 2424), UX designers (SOC 2166), and cybersecurity specialists (SOC 3514). Each has its own going rate set by the Home Office that must be met alongside the general £38,700 threshold.
Salary Requirements for Tech Roles
Technology roles typically have higher going rates than many other sectors. For senior software engineers and data scientists the going rate often exceeds the general threshold of £38,700. We check the current going rate for every role before any CoS is assigned, as these rates are updated periodically. Assigning a CoS at a salary below the going rate, even if it is above £38,700, is a compliance error that can lead to visa refusal.
The Application Process for Tech Startups
Tech startups and scale-ups often have concerns about whether they will qualify, particularly if they are early-stage or pre-revenue. The key requirements, genuine trading business, UK premises, PAYE registration, adequate HR policies, can all be met by early-stage technology businesses. What matters to the Home Office is that you are a genuine, operating business with real roles to fill, not the size of your revenue or your stage of funding.
We have obtained licences for technology businesses at seed stage, Series A and beyond. The application process is the same regardless of stage. What differs is the supporting evidence, for very new businesses we take extra care to ensure the bank statements, premises evidence and HR policies are as strong as possible.
Remote and Hybrid Working
Many technology businesses operate on a remote or hybrid basis. The sponsor licence rules require that you have a genuine UK premises, but this does not mean every sponsored worker must work there every day. Workers can work remotely or from client sites, but the sponsor must have a genuine base of operations in the UK. If workers change their work location significantly, for example moving from office-based to fully remote, this may need to be reported on the SMS portal. We advise on the reporting implications of any changes to working arrangements.
Equity and Share Schemes
Technology companies often include equity, stock options, EMI options, growth shares, as part of their compensation packages. Equity does not count towards the Skilled Worker salary threshold. The cash salary alone must meet the required threshold. We frequently advise technology clients on structuring compensation packages that work for both the business and the visa requirements.
Getting Started
If your technology business needs to hire internationally, the first step is a free eligibility assessment. We confirm eligibility, provide a complete document list and give you a fixed price within 2 hours. Most technology businesses have their licence applications submission-ready within 5 working days of our engagement.
