Can You Find a Low-Skilled Job with Visa Sponsorship in the UK?

The United Kingdom is a popular destination for job seekers from all over the world, but for many, finding a job that offers visa sponsorship can be a challenging task. While there are various opportunities for skilled workers, the prospects for securing visa sponsorship for low-skilled jobs are far more limited due to the UK’s immigration policies. However, that does not mean it is impossible. In this article, we will explore the possibilities and realities of obtaining a visa-sponsored, low-skilled job in the UK.

 

The UK’s Skilled Worker Visa

To understand the possibilities, it’s important to first look at the visa routes available in the UK. The main visa category for employment is the Skilled Worker Visa, which replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa. This visa allows workers to live and work in the UK if they have a job offer from an approved employer. However, the key point here is the word “skilled.”

The UK government has created a list of eligible occupations, which includes jobs that require specific skills or qualifications, and you can find many of those roles here. Most low-skilled roles do not fall into this category, as the UK government tends to prioritise higher-skilled workers for visa sponsorship.

If you are applying for healthcare roles, there is a separate visa for it called the Health and Care Worker visa, and you can learn more about it here.

 

What Constitutes a Low-Skilled Job?

To better understand the opportunities for low-skilled work with visa sponsorship in the UK, it is essential to define what constitutes a low-skilled job.

In general, low-skilled jobs are positions that do not require advanced qualifications, specialised training, or significant work experience. These roles typically involve manual or routine tasks, and while they are essential for the functioning of various industries, they often do not demand specific technical skills or higher education. Workers in low-skilled roles are usually trained on the job, and formal qualifications are rarely a requirement for employment.

Some common examples of low-skilled jobs include:

• Hospitality and Catering: Roles such as kitchen assistants, dishwashers, cleaners, and waiting staff fall under this category. These jobs are widely available but are typically filled by local workers due to ease of access and the lack of a need for visa sponsorship.
• Retail and Customer Service: Jobs such as shop assistants, customer service, cashiers, and stockroom workers are generally considered low-skilled. Although these positions require basic interpersonal and organisational skills, they do not demand specialised training or qualifications.
• Manual Labour: This includes roles such as warehouse operatives, construction labourers, and factory workers. While some of these jobs may require basic safety training, they are often classified as low-skilled because they do not require advanced expertise or qualifications. However, you may be able to find construction-related jobs with visa sponsorship. You can check out our job board for such vacancies.
• Agricultural Work: Farm labourers, fruit pickers, and general agricultural workers fall into the low-skilled category. These roles are typically seasonal and involve manual tasks that can be learned quickly.
• Care and Domestic Work: Some care roles, such as home care assistants or cleaners, are classified as low-skilled. While they may require specific attributes like empathy and reliability, they often do not demand formal qualifications. If you are looking for care assistant jobs, please explore the Health and Care Worker visa.

 

Skill Levels and the UK Visa System

The UK’s immigration system defines jobs based on their skill levels using the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). Under this framework, jobs at RQF level 3 and above are typically considered skilled roles. RQF level 3 is equivalent to A-levels in the UK education system.

Most low-skilled jobs fall below this threshold, which is why they are not usually eligible for visa sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Visa. The visa system is designed to prioritise roles that require at least RQF level 3 skills, meaning low-skilled jobs that do not meet these criteria are unlikely to be included on the list of eligible occupations.

 

Low-Skilled Jobs and Immigration Rules

For low-skilled workers, the opportunities to obtain a visa have been significantly reduced since the UK left the European Union and became nearly impossible after the recent changes in the salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa.

Previously, workers from the EU could move freely to the UK to take up both skilled and low-skilled roles. However, under the post-Brexit immigration system, freedom of movement has ended, and now all workers, regardless of nationality, must meet certain visa requirements. Unfortunately, the current system places a strong emphasis on skilled roles.

 

Seasonal Worker Visa: A Route for Low-Skilled Jobs

That said, there is one visa route that could be of interest to those seeking low-skilled work: the Seasonal Worker Visa. This visa is designed for individuals who wish to work in specific sectors, such as agriculture or horticulture, on a temporary basis. The Seasonal Worker Visa allows workers to stay in the UK for up to six months and is typically used to fill roles such as fruit pickers or farm labourers.

While this route does provide an opportunity for low-skilled workers to enter the UK, it is important to note that the visa is temporary and does not lead to permanent residency. Moreover, it is limited to certain industries and is subject to quotas, so not all applicants may be successful.

Below are the main providers of the Season Worker Visas:

• AGRI-HR Ltd.
• Concordia (UK) Ltd
• Fruitful Jobs Ltd
• HOPS Labour Solutions Ltd
• Pro-Force Limited
• RE People Ltd

 

Employer Willingness and Sponsorship Costs

Another challenge for low-skilled workers seeking visa sponsorship is the cost and administrative burden placed on employers. Sponsoring a visa is a lengthy and often expensive process, which can deter employers from offering sponsorship for low-skilled roles. Employers must first be registered as licensed sponsors, and they must prove that they cannot fill the role with a settled worker in the UK.

For most low-skilled jobs, it is easier for employers to hire locally, as this avoids the complexity and expense of sponsorship. Therefore, unless the role is in high demand and cannot be filled domestically, visa sponsorship is unlikely for low-skilled positions.

 

Conclusion: Limited Opportunities, but Not Impossible

While it is difficult to secure visa sponsorship for low-skilled jobs in the UK, there are still some limited opportunities available, particularly through routes like the Seasonal Worker Visa. However, the focus of the UK’s immigration system is on attracting skilled workers, meaning that most low-skilled roles are not eligible for sponsorship.

If you are determined to work in the UK but do not have qualifications for a skilled role, your best option might be to explore temporary or seasonal work or to seek training and upskilling opportunities to meet the requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa or a Health and Care Worker Visa.

Alternatively, UK Visa Jobs can help identify specific visa-sponsored opportunities and industries where demand for international talent may align with your skill set.

In short, while finding low-skilled, visa-sponsored work in the UK is challenging, it is not entirely out of reach if you are flexible and open to temporary opportunities in certain sectors.