Skilled Worker visa for IT specialists — sponsor landscape 2026
According to third-party aggregator estimates, approximately ~406 Russian nationals received SW grants in the UK in 2025, of which ~170 = software developers — the largest group by profession. Home Office does not publish a nationality+SOC breakdown separately — this is an estimate. IT in the UK is one of the few sectors where the SW going rate is significantly above £41,700: software developer £54,700, data scientist £55,100 (SOC 2020, from 22 July 2025). An offer below the going rate = visa refusal.
The Register of Licensed Sponsors changes every day — a company can lose its licence between your CoS and your arrival. All names below are real examples from public sources, not endorsements. Always verify through /en/skilled-worker/verification just before you pay and travel.
Sponsor landscape — structure of UK IT sponsorship
IT is one of the sectors with the highest number of active SW sponsors in the UK. There are several typical categories:
Google, Amazon (AWS), Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Oracle, IBM — high-volume sponsors. Salaries are usually much higher than the £41,700 threshold.
Wise, Revolut, Deliveroo, Monzo, Starling, Stripe (UK), Plaid — going rates are usually £50,000–£80,000+. High demand for backend, infrastructure, and ML roles.
Traditionally the largest SW sponsors by volume: TCS (Tata Consultancy Services), Infosys, Wipro, Accenture, Capgemini, Sopra Steria, Globant, EPAM, Luxoft, Improbable. They often work on a client-site basis.
Mid-size consultancies, startups, agencies — each has its own licence. Check the Register separately. Do not trust only the fact that a company appears in some list — always verify on the date of your CoS.
Going rates for IT occupations 2026
Salary requirement = the higher of £41,700 OR the going rate for your SOC code. For most IT roles the going rate is above the general floor.
For software developer the going rate is £54,700 — an offer at £41,700 will be refused. No IT roles are on the Immigration Salary List (ISL). The going rate applies without discounts.
| SOC code | Occupation | Going rate (£/yr) | New Entrant minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2134 | Programmers / Software developers | £54,700 | £38,290 |
| 2433 | Data scientist (statistical) | £55,100 | £38,570 |
| 2121 | Business analyst | £54,900 | £38,430 |
| 2135 | IT business analyst | £45,400 | £33,400 (floor) |
| 2136 | Cyber security analyst | £44,900 | £33,400 (floor) |
| 2137 | Web designer | £43,800 | £33,400 (floor) |
Source: gov.uk — Going rates for eligible occupations (SOC 2020, from 22 July 2025). The going rate is the 25th percentile of ASHE data. New Entrant = 70% of going rate or £33,400 — whichever is higher. No IT roles are on the ISL (no discounts apply).
New Entrant discount — for junior IT
Discount floor: £33,400 (instead of £41,700) — if you meet one of these conditions:
- Switching from the Graduate Route after a UK degree
- Recent graduate (within 2 years of finishing your degree)
- Age under 26
- Other conditions (PhD relevance, ISL role, switching from certain routes)
The discount applies only when you first apply, not when you extend an existing visa. For an extension you need the standard going rate or £41,700.
Source: gov.uk — Skilled Worker: when you can be paid less than the going rate.
How to avoid mistakes when choosing an employer
- Sponsor in the Register of Licensed Sponsors on the date you accept the offer — detailed walkthrough →
- The Sponsor licence number on your CoS matches the entry in the Register
- Companies House — the company is active, has filed accounts, and has a real footprint (employees, office)
- The salary on your CoS matches your written offer
- Recruiter only uses WhatsApp/Telegram, no website or office
- "Already arranged sponsor" for £10k+ upfront
- Sponsor does not give you their licence number
- Sponsor has a B rating in the Register (higher risk of revocation)
- They ask for money for a CoS or "document processing"
Full checklist and scam pattern analysis: fake sponsors →
After 5 years — ILR pathway for IT
5 years of continuous SW residence → you become eligible for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain, permanent residence).
Details about the 180-day rule, continuous residence, and Earned Settlement proposals: ILR (permanent residence) after Skilled Worker visa →