Are you a customer service worker who wants to move to the UK? Do you need a company to sponsor your visa? The UK still has jobs for skilled customer service people, but the rules changed a lot in 2025. It is now harder to get visa sponsorship for normal call centre jobs. This simple guide explains everything you need to know in 2025. We tell you which jobs can still get sponsorship, the new salary rules, and where to find real jobs that can sponsor you.
The 2025 Visa Landscape: Understanding the Skilled Worker Route
The main visa for workers is called the Skilled Worker Visa. Before 2024, many normal customer service jobs could get sponsorship. Now the UK government wants only high-skill and high-pay jobs. Normal shop assistants or basic call centre workers usually cannot get a new sponsorship visa in 2025.
The Two Biggest Hurdles for Customer Service Sponsorship
From July 2025, every job needs to pass two big tests to get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
The Skill Level (RQF Level 6 Minimum)
The job must be at RQF Level 6. This means the job needs the same skills as a UK university degree.
What This Means for Customer Service:
- Basic call centre jobs (answering simple questions) are only RQF Level 3 or 4 → No sponsorship.
- Normal retail customer service → No sponsorship.
You can only get sponsorship if the job is senior or very special, for example:
- Customer Service Manager
- Complaints Director
- Head of Customer Experience
- Technical Support Specialist (needs special IT knowledge)
- Senior Client Relationship Manager (in banks or big companies)
The Salary Threshold (Minimum £41,700+)
The worker must earn at least £41,700 per year OR the normal salary for that job (whichever is higher).
Salary Table (2025 rules)
| Type of worker | Minimum yearly salary | Minimum hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Normal worker | £41,700 | £17.13 |
| New entrant (under 26 or switching visa) | £33,400 | £17.13 |
Most normal customer service jobs pay only £22,000–£28,000. That is too low now. Companies must pay you £41,700+ and give you a senior job title to sponsor you.
E-A-T Insight:
If a company wants to sponsor a customer service worker, they usually change the job to a manager role in banking, insurance, fintech, or telecoms so the salary and skill level are high enough.
The Multilingual Advantage: How to Find Sponsor Openings
Good news! If you speak extra languages very well, your chances are much higher.
Focus on Multilingual Support
Many big UK companies need workers who speak:
- French, German, Spanish, Italian
- Arabic, Turkish
- Mandarin, Hindi, Japanese, Korean
These jobs are seen as “specialist”. Companies can prove they cannot find a British person with your language, so sponsorship is easier and salary is usually higher.
Target High-Volume Sponsorship Hubs
Do not waste time on normal job websites. Look in the right places.
Best cities for customer service sponsorship jobs:
- London
- Manchester
- Glasgow
- Edinburgh
- Belfast
- Leeds
- Birmingham
These cities have many big contact centres and head offices.
Best industries that still sponsor:
- Banks and financial companies (Barclays, HSBC, American Express)
- Fintech and insurance companies
- Telecom companies (EE, Vodafone, O2)
- Big tech companies (Amazon, Google, Microsoft support teams)
- Luxury brands customer service (in multiple languages)
Step-by-Step Guide: Securing Your CoS
Here is the exact plan to get a sponsored customer service job.
Check the Employer’s Licence
Only companies with a special licence can sponsor you.
- Go to the official UK government website: “Register of Worker and Temporary Worker licensed sponsors”.
- Type the exact company name.
- If the company is NOT on the list → they cannot sponsor you. Do not apply.
Match the SOC Code and Salary
Every job has a 4-digit SOC code.
- Basic customer service = SOC 7219 → not allowed anymore.
- Customer Service Manager / Director = SOC 1139 or 1241 → allowed.
Ask the company: “What is the SOC code and exact salary for this job?” The salary must be £41,700 or more (or £33,400 if you are under 26 or new entrant).
Visa Application & Costs
When you have the job offer and CoS number:
- Apply online for Skilled Worker Visa.
- Pay the visa fee (£719 to £1,552 depending on years).
- Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year – often £5,175 for 5 years).
- Prove you have £1,270 in your bank (or company can cover it).
- Give English test (IELTS or other approved test) unless your country is exempt.
Ready to Secure Your UK Role?
It is harder than before, but many people still get sponsored every month – especially multilingual speakers and people ready to take senior customer service roles in London, Manchester, or Glasgow.
Focus on big banks, telecoms, fintech, and luxury companies. Always check the sponsor list first.
Good luck! You can still make your UK dream come true in 2025 if you target the right jobs.
Disclaimer:
This information is only to help you understand the rules. UK immigration rules change often. Always check the official GOV.UK website for the latest salary, SOC codes, fees, and sponsor list before you apply. Never pay money to agents who promise guaranteed visa.