6 of the 13 firms here say plainly that they sponsor trainees. Each firm's signal reads its licence, its own words and its trainee salary.
13 law firms checked, latest 7 October 2026
6Clear 7Ask 0Stop
Licences checked on the register of 7 October 2026. The signal shows the strictest lamp. How the signals are read
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, London
Slaughter and May, London. Skilled Worker, A rating
Signal: Clear
"Where a visa is required, the firm will provide sponsorship"
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.
Direct entry training contract, London
Allen Overy Shearman Sterling Service Company Limited, London. Skilled Worker, A rating
Signal: Ask
Not stated on their careers pages, checked 7 October 2026.
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.
Trainee associate programme, London
Freshfields Service Company, London. Skilled Worker, A rating
Signal: Ask
Not stated on their careers pages, checked 7 October 2026.
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, London
Linklaters, London. Skilled Worker, A rating
Signal: Ask
Not stated on their careers pages, checked 7 October 2026.
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
LATHAM & WATKINS (LONDON) LLP, LONDON. Skilled Worker, A rating
Signal: Clear
"while we are able to sponsor visas for our trainees, we are unable to sponsor visas for vacation scheme attendees"
Published starting salary £60,000. 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, London
Kirkland & Ellis International LLP, London. Skilled Worker, A rating
Signal: Ask
Not stated on their careers pages, checked 7 October 2026.
Published starting salary £70,000. 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, London
White & Case LLP, London. Skilled Worker, A rating
Signal: Ask
Not stated on their careers pages, checked 7 October 2026.
Published starting salary £62,000. 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, London
Ashurst Perkins Coie (International) LLP, London. Skilled Worker, A rating
Signal: Clear
"The firm will sponsor skilled worker visas for those who secure one of our training contracts."
Published starting salary £60,000. 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.
Training contract, London
Travers Smith LLP, London. Skilled Worker, A rating
Signal: Clear
"we hold an immigration sponsor licence so can sponsor Skilled Worker visas for those who meet the mandatory requirements"
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.
Trainee associate programme, London
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, London. Skilled Worker, A rating
Signal: Ask
Not stated on their careers pages, checked 7 October 2026.
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 programme, London
Macfarlanes LLP, London. Skilled Worker, A rating
Signal: Ask
"For our Training Programme, visa sponsorship will be considered on a case-by-case basis."
Published starting salary £60,000. 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 plates show this signal yet. Checked 7 October 2026.
Logos belong to their owners and identify employers listed on a public register. Listing does not mean an employer will sponsor any particular role.
Looking past the firms here? Start from every law firm with a licence (opens visavi.uk) and read each name through the same three lamps.
Law firms recruit trainees long before the start date, so the sponsorship answer matters when you apply, not when you sign. Read each firm's words first. 6 of the 13 firms here say plainly that they sponsor trainees.
Ask about the vacation scheme on its own. A firm can sponsor trainees and still not sponsor a vacation scheme place; each plate quotes the firm's exact words. For the applications themselves, read how to win a training contract (opens getajobintheuk.com) on getajobintheuk.com.
12 of these firms publish a trainee salary at or above the general threshold of £41,700. Each plate shows the figure from the firm's own page.
Pay is one lamp of three. If a firm says nothing about sponsoring trainees on its pages, its words lamp reads Ask, and the strictest lamp sets the signal.
Not always. Some firms say they sponsor trainees but not vacation scheme places. Read the quote on the plate, then ask the graduate recruitment team about the scheme you want.
Before you submit the application, in writing, with the intake named. Use the recruiter script and keep the reply with its date.
Copy the wording from the recruiter script, or check every scheme at once in the graduate scheme tracker.
"You’ll usually need to be paid the ‘standard’ salary rate of at least £41,700 per year, or the ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher."Checked 7 October 2026
"You can be paid 70% of your job’s standard going rate if your salary will be at least £33,400 per year and one of the following applies:"Checked 7 October 2026
"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
"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
"Training contract offers are subject to you having the legal right to work in the UK. Where a visa is required, the firm will provide [...]"Checked 7 October 2026
"We hire globally so all students are welcome to apply. Please note that while we are able to sponsor visas for our trainees, we are [...]"Checked 7 October 2026
"International students are eligible to apply for both vacation scheme and direct training contract opportunities, subject to your visa requirements. Please pay close attention to [...]"Checked 7 October 2026
"For our Training Programme, visa sponsorship will be considered on a case-by-case basis."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
"However, non-British and non-Irish passport holders will need to hold the correct immigration clearance to work in the UK and may require a visa. If [...]"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.