In the United Kingdom, many people want to work as food delivery drivers or riders. Jobs with companies like Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat are popular because they seem easy to start. But if you are someone from another country who hopes to come to the UK with a work visa, there is an important truth: food delivery jobs do not qualify for sponsorship.
But there is a big problem. If you need a work visa, food delivery jobs cannot help you. They do not qualify for sponsorship.
Let’s look step by step at why this job cannot be sponsored and what it means for workers who still want to come to the UK.
Skill Level Requirement
The UK now requires a Skilled Worker visa to be linked with jobs that are RQF Level 6 or higher. This means the job should need skills and education equal to a bachelor’s degree.
Food delivery work does not meet this level. A rider or driver does not need a university degree. The job is about delivering food, following an app, and moving around the city. While this work is important, the government does not see it as “skilled work” in the visa system.
Because of this, delivery drivers cannot get a Skilled Worker visa.
Salary Threshold
Another new rule is about money. To get a Skilled Worker visa, the job must pay at least £41,700 per year or the “going rate” for that type of job, whichever is higher.
Food delivery drivers and riders usually earn much less. In fact, many are paid per delivery, not a set salary. Even if you work long hours every day, it is nearly impossible to reach that salary number with food delivery.
So the two problems together — low skill level and low salary — mean delivery work does not qualify.
The Gig Economy’s Legal Status: Independent Contractor vs. Employee
One more big reason is how the job is set up legally. Companies like Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat do not call their drivers “employees.” Instead, they say drivers are independent contractors or delivery partners.
Why does this matter? Because a work visa needs something called a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Only an employer can give this certificate to an employee. But since delivery riders are not employees, the companies cannot give them sponsorship.
This is a key point. No matter how much you work for these apps, the law sees you as self-employed. And self-employed people cannot get sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route.
So legally, it is not possible for delivery jobs to be a pathway to a UK work visa.
Increased Enforcement: A Crackdown on Illegal Working
The United Kingdom is now very strict related illegal working. The Home Office is working with delivery industries to stop public without the right visa.
Here are some of the new measures:
Facial Verification Checks
Delivery apps are now using real-time facial checks to stop account sharing. This means, if you use someone else’s account, the company may find out quickly. This is because they ask for live selfies to prove you are the same person as the account holder.
Tougher Penalties
There are also new punishments. The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill brings big fines and other penalties. Both workers and companies can be punished.
If you work without a visa, it is very risky. You may be banned from coming back to the UK.
What About Other Visa Options?
Even though you cannot get a Skilled Helpers visa, there are a few other visas that let you work in delivery duties:
Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
This visa is for young persons between 18 and 30 from certain countries. If you get it, you can duty in the United Kingdom in almost any duty, including delivery, without needing sponsorship.
Student Visa with Work Rights
Students in the UK can work part-time during school terms and full-time during holidays. Some students choose delivery jobs because they are flexible. But this option is temporary, and your main purpose must be studying.
Graduate Visa
If you studied in the UK, you may get a Graduate Visa, which allows you to stay and work for 2 to 3 years after finishing your degree. Like the student visa, this visa does not need sponsorship, but it is also temporary.
These visas depend on your personal situation. They are not permanent, but they give you a chance to work legally for a period of time.
The Bottom Line: Be Aware and Be Cautious
Many people search online for “UK food delivery jobs with visa sponsorship.” The truth is, after the new rules, this is not possible.
The two big problems are:
- Food delivery jobs are not skilled enough under UK law.
- Food delivery jobs do not pay the minimum salary needed for a Skilled Worker visa.
On top of this, the legal status of delivery riders as independent contractors makes it impossible for companies to give a Certificate of Sponsorship.
If you see recruiters or websites offering sponsorship for food delivery jobs, be very careful. Most of these offers are fake or misleading. Falling into such a trap could put you at risk of illegal working, and the punishment is serious.
The safest path is to look for higher-skilled careers that meet the rules, or to apply for other visas where you qualify.
Call to Action
UK immigration rules are complex and always changing. If you are not sure about which jobs qualify for sponsorship or what visas you may be eligible for, do not rely only on internet rumors or unverified sources.
Always check the official UK Home Office website for the latest and most accurate information. If needed, speak with a registered UK immigration advisor who can guide you with proper advice for your personal case.
Author Bio
Shoaib Khan is an immigration consultant and career advisor with more than 10 years of experience in UK visa rules. They explain complex immigration policies in simple words so that foreign nationals can understand how to make the right choices about work and study in the UK.