When an employer says no to sponsorship

A4The employer said no

1. Other employers

   For everyone. Start here.

   Go back to your shortlist and take the next licensed name. Check its own words in the graduate scheme tracker, then ask early with the recruiter script.

   Back to S1: shortlist sponsors

   One employer's no is not the sector's no. Every job in the Visavi app comes from a licensed sponsor or from an advert that says it sponsors; read how it checks on visavi.uk (opens visavi.uk).

2. Switch straight from Student

   For Student visa holders with a sponsored offer elsewhere.

   You may switch to Skilled Worker without a Graduate visa in between, if you meet gov.uk's conditions:

   Allowed if one of: the course has been completed; the job start date is after the course has finished (full-time degree-level course at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance); or a full-time PhD with at least 24 months studied before the job start date. Apply before the current visa expires.

   It still needs a licensed sponsor, so take it with an employer that has said yes. The timing planner dates each step.

3. High Potential Individual

   Only if you hold it now, or hold a degree from a listed university outside the UK.

   A UK degree does not count. gov.uk says it plainly: UK universities are not eligible.

   If you hold it, it lasts 2 years (longer after a doctorate). The HPI visa cannot be extended. Holders may switch to another visa, for example Skilled Worker, before the HPI visa expires. Start the sponsor search early enough to switch in time.

4. Global Talent

   A separate route. Read its rules before you count on it.

   It is for leaders or potential leaders in academia or research, arts and culture and digital technology. An endorsement from a Home Office approved endorsing body is needed first, unless the applicant has won an eligible prestigious prize. It does not need a job offer, and a Graduate visa holder may switch to it inside the UK.

   Read the rules for the Global Talent route (opens ukvisasponsorguide.com) on ukvisasponsorguide.com.

5. Scale-up

   A separate route. Read its rules before you count on it.

   Who can sponsor it, in gov.uk's words: A UK business approved by the Home Office as a scale-up sponsor (listed on the register with Scale-up Worker in the Route column). The job pays at least £39,100 and the going rate. You are sponsored for the first 6 months, then the visa runs unsponsored.

   Read gov.uk's Scale-up Worker visa page (opens gov.uk) for who it covers.

6. Youth Mobility

   Only if you hold a Youth Mobility visa now.

   It lets you live and work in the UK for up to 24 months. Look for a sponsor well before it ends.

   Youth Mobility ages 18 to 35: eligible countries

   Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea

   Youth Mobility ages 18 to 30: eligible countries and territories

   Andorra, Iceland, Japan, Monaco, San Marino, Uruguay, Hong Kong (SAR passport, ballot), Taiwan (ballot), British overseas citizens, British overseas territories citizens and British nationals (overseas)