A licence means an employer can sponsor, not that it will: six common myths, each checked against the register, gov.uk or the employer's words.
Myth 1
The check. Lloyds Banking Group holds a Skilled Worker licence on the register. Its own graduate pages say otherwise for the scheme.
No. Size tells you nothing; the scheme's own words do.
Read their words below. Row in the tracker for Lloyds Banking Group.
Myth 2
The check. 121,996 employers held a Skilled Worker licence on the register of 5 October 2026. gov.uk's guidance for employers has its own section on small sponsors.
No. Size is not the test. Look the name up.
The register on gov.uk (opens gov.uk). gov.uk on small sponsors (opens gov.uk).
Myth 3
The check. gov.uk tests the job's occupation code, not its seniority: jobs listed as higher skilled qualify. Graduate visa holders who switch can use the new-entrant rate. Clifford Chance sponsors its trainees.
No. Graduate and trainee roles can qualify.
Myth 4
The check. A sponsor must be listed as A-rated to sponsor you. KPMG is, yet its words limit sponsorship to named graduate programmes.
No. A licence is the start. Read their words for your programme.
Myth 5
The check. Norton Rose Fulbright says, in its own words, that it sponsors visas for its London training contract only.
No. Check each programme on its own.
Read their words below. Row in the tracker for Norton Rose Fulbright.
Myth 6
The check. Who pays the Immigration Skills Charge: The employer, never the worker.
No. Anyone charging you for a job or a certificate is a Stop.
Each plate is a row from the graduate scheme tracker, with its quote, its capture date and its register line. The signal shows the strictest lamp.
Corporate Banking and Markets Graduate Scheme
Lloyds Bank plc, London. Skilled Worker, A rating
Signal: Stop
"Sponsorship is not offered for graduate schemes."
Published starting salary £55,000. At or above the general threshold of £41,700. The going rate for the job's occupation code can be higher than this line.
Graduate programmes, UK
KPMG LLP, London. Skilled Worker, A rating
Signal: Ask
"KPMG is only able to provide sponsorship (subject to all eligibility criteria being met) for the following graduate programmes"
Starting salary not published on their pages. The going rate for the job's occupation code can be higher than this line.
Training contract, London
Clifford Chance LLP, London. Skilled Worker, A rating
Signal: Clear
"A guidance document and certificate of sponsorship will be provided by the firm."
Published starting salary £56,000. At or above the general threshold of £41,700. The going rate for the job's occupation code can be higher than this line.
Training contract (solicitor), London
Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, London. Skilled Worker, A rating
Signal: Clear
"We are able to sponsor visas for our London Training Contract (Solicitor) only."
Published starting salary £56,000. At or above the general threshold of £41,700. The going rate for the job's occupation code can be higher than this line.
No. Many large employers hold a licence, but each decides which programmes it sponsors. Read the scheme's own words, then ask about your role.
A licence is not limited by size. Search the register for the company's exact name; if it is listed for Skilled Worker with an A rating, it can sponsor.
Not by itself. The job's occupation code decides, and Graduate visa holders who switch can use the new-entrant rate.
Flip each switch when it is done. They stay set on this device only.
Now put the checks to work: build your shortlist of sponsors in your field, read the sector shortlists, and ask about sponsorship in writing.
"SW 5.3. The sponsor must be listed as A-rated on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors, unless the applicant was last granted permission as a Skilled Worker and is applying to continue working for the same sponsor as in their last permission."Checked 7 October 2026
"If your occupation code is listed as a ‘higher skilled’ job, you can apply for this visa."Checked 7 October 2026
"You cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa."Checked 7 October 2026
"You must pay the immigration skills charge yourself. Your licence may be revoked if you ask the sponsored worker to pay the fee or any costs linked to your application."Checked 7 October 2026
"You're usually a small sponsor if at least 2 of the following apply:"Checked 7 October 2026
"This document lists Worker and Temporary Worker sponsors."Checked 7 October 2026
"No. Sponsorship is not offered for graduate schemes."Checked 7 October 2026
"If you require sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa category, KPMG is only able to provide sponsorship (subject to all eligibility criteria being met) for [...]"Checked 7 October 2026
"The skilled worker visa can be issued 3 months before commencing your Training Contract. A guidance document and certificate of sponsorship will be provided by [...]"Checked 7 October 2026
"We are able to sponsor visas for our London Training Contract (Solicitor) only. Please speak to us about this if we offer you a position."Checked 7 October 2026
Updated Checked against gov.uk on
This is a playbook, not immigration advice. Before you act, check the rule on gov.uk or ask a regulated immigration adviser or a solicitor.