Hey everyone! Thinking about making the big move to the UK but not sure where to start? Whether you're dreaming of life in London or the rolling hills of the English countryside, I've got you covered.
Let's dive into the 5 easiest jobs for foreigners and expats to get in the UK in 2024 that offer visa sponsorship, the salary you can expect, top companies in that space, where to look for jobs, plus a little surprise, so stay with me till the end.
Let's start with some context. In recent years, the UK has seen a significant influx of international workers
According to statistics in 2023, 337,240 visas were granted for work to the main applicants
the bottom line is there are job opportunities available for foreigners in the UK.
Interestingly employees born in North America and Oceania and India had the highest median earnings in 2022 and were more likely to be in high skilled occupations.
In 2023 alone, the Home office granted 350,000 Health & Care visas and 118,000 Skilled Worker visas.
So the next time someone tells you that the UK doesn’t have jobs, tell them this!
Is the UK really for you?
Economic Stability
The UK has a developed economy that has rebounded from a recession, providing a secure environment for living and working. Salaries in the UK are competitive, especially in key industries like finance, tech, and healthcare.
Career Opportunities
The UK boasts a robust and diverse job market with opportunities across various sectors such as finance, technology, healthcare, engineering, and creative industries. The average salary in the UK is £35,000, but if you secure a job with sponsorship, in most cases, the minimum you’ll earn is £38,700.
Work-Life Balance
Strong labor laws in the UK protect workers' rights, including fair wages, holiday entitlements, and safe working conditions. Many companies prioritize work-life balance, offering flexible working hours, remote working options, and generous holiday allowances.
Language
Working in an English-speaking country provides an opportunity to improve language skills, beneficial for both personal and professional growth.
Social Benefits
The UK provides access to excellent public services, including transportation, free public education, free healthcare, and social welfare.
Permanent Residency and Citizenship
Many visas allow you to take your family along with you. The UK offers pathways to permanent residency and citizenship, allowing long-term settlement and stability.
Top 5 Jobs in the UK that offer sponsorship
The UK remains a top destination due to its diverse job market and vibrant culture. Now, let's get into the top 5 easiest jobs you can land as a foreigner in 2024, complete with visa sponsorship!
1. Healthcare
The UK is in dire need of nurses, doctors, and caregivers. The NHS and private healthcare providers offer visa sponsorship to qualified professionals from around the globe. With an aging population, this demand isn't going away anytime soon.
2. Tech Sector
The UK tech industry is booming, with high demand for software developers, data analysts, cloud computing specialists, and cybersecurity experts. Many companies offer visa sponsorship to attract top talent from overseas.
Average Salaries:
Project Manager: £43,833/year
Web Design Professionals: £28,413/year
Programmers: £34,917/year
Software Development Professionals: £31,139/year
IT Business Analyst: £37,092/year
SEO Manager: £38,051/year
Graphic Designers: £23,583/year
Top Companies: Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, IBM, BT Group, ARM Holding, Capgemini, Ocado Technology
3. Engineering
UK businesses actively hire engineers from across the world to fill positions ranging from civil engineers to mechanical engineers and electrical engineers.
Average Salaries:
Petroleum Engineering: £75,000/year (Top Companies: Chevron, Aramco Services Company, Exxon Mobil)
Biomedical Engineering: £34,500/year (Top Companies: Expodent, Luton, Brainlab)
Electrical Engineering: £45,493/year (Top Companies: Boskalis, Amey, Morson)
Civil Engineering: £41,467/year (Top Companies: AECOM, Atkins, Jacobs)
Mechanical Engineering: £42,641/year (Top Companies: WSP, Arup, Arrival)
4. Graphic Designers
Roles in marketing, advertising, and tech companies are in demand. Graphic Designers are also on the Immigration Salary List, making it easier to get sponsorship.
Average Salaries:
Junior Graphic Designer: £20,000 - £25,000/year
Senior Graphic Designer: £35,000 - £50,000/year
Graphic Design Manager: £50,000 - £70,000/year
Art Director: £45,000 - £70,000/year
Creative Director: £70,000 - £100,000+/year
UI/UX Designer: £35,000 - £55,000/year
Motion Graphic Designer: £30,000 - £50,000/year
Top Companies: Pentagram, Landor & Fitch, Wolff Olins, DesignStudio, Jellyfish, Deloitte Digital, Moo
5. Scientists
Scientists are in high demand across various disciplines in the UK. The demand for scientists is driven by the need for innovation, research, and development.
Average Salaries:
Biomedical Scientist: £47,000/year
Clinical Scientist: £50,000/year
Data Scientist: £55,000/year
Environmental Scientist: £45,000/year
Pharmacologist: £50,000/year
Chemist: £45,000/year
Biotechnologist: £50,000/year
Top Companies: AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Novartis, Astellas Pharma, Merck Group
Bonus: Hospitality and Tourism
Roles like hotel staff, chefs, and restaurant managers are always in demand, especially in major cities and tourist hotspots. Many employers in this sector are willing to sponsor visas for dedicated staff.
Average Salaries:
Restaurant Manager: £31,000/year
Chefs: £32,000/year
Top Companies: Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, Whitbread PLC, InterContinental Hotels Group, Travelodge
How to get a job in the UK
Now remember, if you are to work in the UK, you need to
Be offered a sponsored job by a licensed sponsor
Receive a CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) from your employer
And you need a work visa
The work visa you’re eligible for will depend on your job. If it’s a health job, it will be a health & care worker visa. If not, in most cases it will be a Skilled worker visa.
The visa fees depend on the type of visa you’re eligible for, the duration of the visa and whether or not you’ll have to pay the IHS or the Immigration Health Surcharge.
In the UK, only your employer can apply for your CoS but either you or your employer can apply for your visa. And the cost could come up to quite a bit so remember to discuss it with your employer.
Another thing to keep in mind. There is a salary threshold for jobs that offer sponsorship in the UK. Many of the average salaries I shared today are lower than the threshold and that might confuse you. But remember that’s the average of all the salaries offered for that role in the UK.
For instance, the average salary of a chef is £32,000 but to be sponsored you need to earn £38,700 so you need to look for openings that offer more than the sponsorship threshold and there will be roles like that because an average means there are people earning both more and less than this figure.
The UK remains a top destination for foreign workers due to its diverse job market and vibrant culture. Whether you're in healthcare, tech, engineering, design, science, or hospitality, there are ample opportunities with visa sponsorship available. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments section & subscribe if you’d like to see more content like this!
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