Data analysis · register synced 2026-08-10
The UK licensed sponsor register: what the data shows
Every UK employer allowed to sponsor a worker visa is on one public list: the Home Office register of licensed sponsors. We analysed it. As of 2026-08-10, 121,989 organisations hold an active worker-sponsor licence, and 11 that once appeared have since been removed. Every figure below comes straight from the official register, nothing is estimated.
How many licensed visa sponsors are there in the UK?
There are 121,989 organisations with an active worker-sponsor licence on the UK register as of 2026-08-10. This is the complete set of employers that can legally sponsor a Skilled Worker or other worker visa. If a company is not on this list, it cannot sponsor you, and any offer of visa sponsorship from it is a warning sign.
Which UK cities have the most licensed sponsors?
London leads with 34,869 licensed sponsors, 28.6% of the register. The concentration matters: most sponsored roles sit in a handful of cities.
| City / town | Sponsors | Share |
|---|---|---|
| London | 34,869 | 28.6% |
| Birmingham | 2,943 | 2.4% |
| Manchester | 2,742 | 2.2% |