Visa-sponsoring employers in Northern Ireland
Where the licensed sponsors in Northern Ireland are, the universities nearby, and the salary rules that differ by nation.
Home Office register,
The short answer
1,547
employers in Northern Ireland hold a Skilled Worker licence, counted from the towns we can place
Home Office register, 5 October 2026
Counted across 68 towns we can place in Northern Ireland, each employer once. The most are in Belfast (481 licences), Newry (95 licences) and Dungannon (90 licences).
How we count: every Skilled Worker register row whose town we can place in Northern Ireland, plus rows that give Northern Ireland itself as the town, with each organisation counted once even if it lists several towns. Town names shared with places elsewhere, and towns we cannot place, are left out, so the true total may be higher.
Towns in Northern Ireland with the most visa sponsors
| Town or city | Skilled Worker licences | Share of Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Belfast | 481 | 30.7% |
| Newry | 95 | 6.1% |
| Dungannon | 90 | 5.7% |
| Derry/Londonderry | 72 | 4.6% |
| Omagh | 63 | 4.0% |
| Lisburn | 50 | 3.2% |
| Cookstown | 40 | 2.6% |
| Armagh | 37 | 2.4% |
| Ballymena | 36 | 2.3% |
| Coleraine | 34 | 2.2% |
| Newtownabbey | 33 | 2.1% |
| Enniskillen | 32 | 2.0% |
| Magherafelt | 32 | 2.0% |
| Portadown | 26 | 1.7% |
| Antrim | 26 | 1.7% |
| Craigavon | 25 | 1.6% |
Universities in Northern Ireland
Salary rules that differ in Northern Ireland
The general salary threshold and the Table 1 going rates are the same across the UK. Jobs paid on national pay scales are different: the Home Office tables list Northern Ireland's own rates for these occupations. Some Immigration Salary List entries also apply in one nation only.
| Foundation year 1 (F1) and equivalent | £29,566 |
|---|---|
| Foundation year 2 (F2) and equivalent | £36,371 |
| Specialty registrar (StR) at ST/CT1-2 and equivalent | £38,780 |
| Specialty registrar (StR) at CT/ST3 and above | £44,283 |
| Specialty doctor (new 2021 contract) and equivalent | £52,530 |
| Salaried General practitioner (GP) and equivalent | £69,974 |
These going rates are per year and based on a 40-hour working week. 2 more grades in the full table on gov.uk. Doctor jobs with UK visa sponsorship
| Dental foundation year two training (Hospital dental services) and equivalent | £36,371 |
|---|---|
| Dental specialty training and equivalent (40-hour week) | £38,780 |
| Community Dental Officer and equivalent (37.5-hour week) | £47,655 |
| Senior community dental officer and equivalent (37.5-hour week) | £74,129 |
| Specialist Community Dentist (37.5-hour week) | £88,686 |
| Assistant Community Clinical Director (37.5-hour week) | £88,686 |
These going rates are per year and based on the weekly working hours stated above. 6 more grades in the full table on gov.uk. Dentist jobs with UK visa sponsorship
| Lecturer | £30,000 |
|---|---|
| Principal lecturer | £52,361 |
| Heads of Departments | £55,339 |
These going rates are per year and based on the definition of a full-time teaching professional used when determining these pay scales. Further education lecturer jobs with UK visa sponsorship
NHS Agenda for Change bands and teachers’ pay scales also have their own rates for each nation, in Tables 4 and 5 of the Home Office tables. Home Office tables on gov.uk.
The Immigration Salary List entries that apply in Northern Ireland are the ones that apply across the UK. A few entries apply only in Scotland. Guide: the Immigration Salary List and the Temporary Shortage List.
Questions people ask
How many employers in Northern Ireland can sponsor a Skilled Worker visa?
At least 1,547 employers in Northern Ireland held a Skilled Worker licence on the Home Office register on 5 October 2026, counted across 68 towns we can place in Northern Ireland. How we count: every Skilled Worker register row whose town we can place in Northern Ireland, plus rows that give Northern Ireland itself as the town, with each organisation counted once even if it lists several towns. Town names shared with places elsewhere, and towns we cannot place, are left out, so the true total may be higher.
Which towns in Northern Ireland have the most visa sponsors?
On the register of 5 October 2026: Belfast (481 licences), Newry (95 licences), Dungannon (90 licences), Derry/Londonderry (72 licences) and Omagh (63 licences).
Are Skilled Worker salary rules different in Northern Ireland?
The general salary threshold and the Table 1 going rates apply across the UK. Jobs paid on national pay scales, such as generalist medical practitioners, dental practitioners and further education teaching professionals, use Northern Ireland's own scales, listed separately in the Home Office tables. The Immigration Salary List entries that apply in Northern Ireland are the ones that apply across the UK. A few entries apply only in Scotland.
What this means for your search in Northern Ireland
- Check the licence first. An employer needs a licence to sponsor a Skilled Worker visa. Use the sponsor check. The register changes often and lists legal names, which can differ from a brand name. Check the latest register on gov.uk before you rule an employer out.
- Read the advert's sponsorship line. "Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK" is a no, even from a licensed employer.
- Check the salary. Usually the higher of £41,700 and the going rate. For new entrants, the higher of £33,400 and 70% of the going rate. See salary thresholds and going rates.
- After an offer, ask about the Certificate of Sponsorship. See what to ask.
Full routine: How to find a job that sponsors your visa in the UK. Rules change: always check gov.uk.
Sources
- Register of licensed sponsors: workers Snapshot 5 October 2026
- Appendix Skilled Occupations (going rates) Updated 11 November 2025
- Appendix Immigration Salary List