How UK visa sponsorship works for Indian students

1. Skilled Worker in one paragraph

You need a job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office (a “sponsor”), the job must be on the eligible occupations list, and you must be paid at least £41,700 a year or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher (GOV.UK – your job).

• “Higher skilled” codes can apply. “Medium skilled” codes only if on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List (or limited extension cases) (GOV.UK).
• English: level B2 for new applicants and for most switches; a degree taught in English from a UK institution counts as proof (GOV.UK – knowledge of English).
• Find your 4-digit code with the CASCOT tool linked from the GOV.UK page and check the eligible occupations table.

2. The sponsor licence register

The Register of licensed sponsors: workers is the official list of organisations licensed to sponsor workers. GOV.UK updates it almost every working day (latest update seen: 6 Nov 2026). Download the CSV and filter Route = “Skilled Worker”.

• Search by the legal company name, then check the town.
• “Worker (A rating)” means fully licensed.
• Not on the list? The employer can apply for a licence: £611 for small businesses and charities, £1,682 for medium and large organisations; about 8 weeks to process (GOV.UK).
• Step-by-step checks and red flags: Sponsorship: find and check employers.

3. Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Your sponsor checks you meet the requirements and assigns a certificate of sponsorship. It is an electronic record with a reference number you use in your visa application. You must apply within 3 months of getting it (GOV.UK).

• The CoS shows the occupation code, salary, start and end dates.
• If your employer will cover your first month’s maintenance (up to £1,270), it must be confirmed on the CoS under “sponsor certifies maintenance” (GOV.UK – costs).
• Sponsors cannot pass the CoS fee or Immigration Skills Charge on to you (Home Office sponsor guidance Part 2, GOV.UK – ISC).

4. Going rates and salary thresholds

The minimum is the higher of £41,700 or the occupation’s going rate. If you are under 26, on a Student visa at degree level, on a Graduate visa (or were in the last 2 years), or in professional training, you can be paid 70% of the going rate as long as it is at least £33,400 (GOV.UK – when you can be paid less).

• The new-entrant rate is limited to 4 years in total, including Graduate visa time (GOV.UK).
• Relevant PhD: 80% (STEM, min £33,400) or 90% (non-STEM, min £37,500) of the going rate (GOV.UK).
• Immigration Salary List jobs: at least £33,400 and the standard going rate, with lower visa fees (GOV.UK).
• Going rates by sector beside real ONS pay: Pay scales.

5. Switching from Student or Graduate visa

You can usually switch inside the UK. From a Student visa you must have completed your course, or your job start date must be after your course ends, or you must have done at least 24 months of a full-time PhD (GOV.UK – switch).

• Decision usually within 8 weeks; you may be able to pay for a faster decision (GOV.UK).
• Do not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision, or the application is withdrawn (GOV.UK).
• From a Graduate visa: switch any time before it expires; the Graduate visa itself cannot be extended (GOV.UK – Graduate visa).
• Your partner’s and children’s visas do not switch automatically (GOV.UK).

6. Costs: who pays what

You pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The employer pays the licence fee, CoS fee and Immigration Skills Charge (ISC).

Fees usually change in April. Check the linked GOV.UK pages before paying.

7. The process step by step

Seven steps from finding a job to your first day as a sponsored worker.

1. Find an eligible job with a licensed sponsor. Check the employer on the register and the occupation code on the eligible occupations list.
2. Get the offer and agree the occupation code and salary. Ask the employer which SOC code they will use – it must genuinely match the job.
3. The employer assigns your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) – an electronic record with a reference number, not a paper document.
4. Apply for the visa within 3 months of getting the CoS. Inside the UK, apply online before your current visa expires.
5. Prove your identity (ID Check app or a UKVCAS appointment) and upload documents.
6. Decision: usually within 8 weeks for in-UK switches, 3 weeks from outside the UK. Do not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or Isle of Man while a switch is pending – it will be withdrawn.
7. Start work and keep records: payslips, P60s and absences will matter for ILR.

Sources: GOV.UK – your job, GOV.UK – switch, GOV.UK – ILR.