Visa-sponsoring employers in Scotland
Where the licensed sponsors in Scotland are, the universities nearby, and the salary rules that differ by nation.
Home Office register,
The short answer
5,310
employers in Scotland hold a Skilled Worker licence, counted from the towns we can place
Home Office register, 5 October 2026
Counted across 175 towns we can place in Scotland, each employer once. The most are in Glasgow (1,297 licences), Edinburgh (1,117 licences) and Aberdeen (485 licences).
How we count: every Skilled Worker register row whose town we can place in Scotland, plus rows that give Scotland 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 Scotland with the most visa sponsors
| Town or city | Skilled Worker licences | Share of Scotland |
|---|---|---|
| Glasgow | 1,297 | 24.2% |
| Edinburgh | 1,117 | 20.9% |
| Aberdeen | 485 | 9.1% |
| Dundee | 159 | 3.0% |
| Inverness | 83 | 1.5% |
| Livingston | 81 | 1.5% |
| Perth | 79 | 1.5% |
| Paisley | 73 | 1.4% |
| Stirling | 67 | 1.3% |
| Dunfermline | 65 | 1.2% |
| Falkirk | 61 | 1.1% |
| Motherwell | 50 | 0.9% |
| Bathgate | 48 | 0.9% |
| Hamilton | 47 | 0.9% |
| Kirkcaldy | 47 | 0.9% |
| Dumfries | 45 | 0.8% |
| Kilmarnock | 44 | 0.8% |
| Westhill | 39 | 0.7% |
| Ayr | 34 | 0.6% |
| Bellshill | 33 | 0.6% |
| East Kilbride | 32 | 0.6% |
| Airdrie | 30 | 0.6% |
| Lerwick | 30 | 0.6% |
| Glenrothes | 30 | 0.6% |
| Coatbridge | 28 | 0.5% |
| Greenock | 27 | 0.5% |
| Irvine | 25 | 0.5% |
| Peterhead | 25 | 0.5% |
Universities in Scotland
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Glasgow
- University of Strathclyde
- University of Aberdeen
- University of Dundee
- Heriot-Watt University
- University of St Andrews
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- Edinburgh Napier University
- Robert Gordon University
- University of the West of Scotland
- University of Stirling
Salary rules that differ in Scotland
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 Scotland's own rates for these occupations. Some Immigration Salary List entries also apply in one nation only.
| Foundation year 1 (F1) and equivalent | £34,500 |
|---|---|
| Foundation year 2 (F2) and equivalent | £42,794 |
| Specialty registrar (StR) | £45,504 |
| Specialty doctor and equivalent | £47,905 |
| Salaried General practitioner (GP) and equivalent | £74,192 |
| Consultant and equivalent | £107,144 |
These going rates are per year and based on a 40-hour working week. Doctor jobs with UK visa sponsorship
| Dental foundation training (Hospital dental services) known as Vocational Training in Scotland (based on a 35-hour week) | £39,603 |
|---|---|
| Dental core training and equivalent | £50,538 |
| Band A posts (for example, Community practitioner) and equivalent | £52,035 |
| Band B posts (for example, Senior dental officer) and equivalent | £80,942 |
| Band C posts (for example, Specialist / managerial posts) and equivalent | £96,841 |
These going rates are per year and (unless otherwise stated) based on a 40-hour working week. Dentist jobs with UK visa sponsorship
| Lecturer and equivalent | £27,786 |
|---|---|
| Senior lecturer and equivalent | £41,905 |
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. In Scotland, the Agenda for Change going rates are based on a 37-hour week. Home Office tables on gov.uk.
Some Immigration Salary List entries apply only in Scotland: 1212 managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services (only fishing boat masters); 2111 chemical scientists (only jobs in the nuclear industry); and 5235 boat and ship builders and repairers. For a job on the list, the salary has to be at least £33,400 or the going rate, whichever is higher, where the certificate of sponsorship is issued before 31 December 2026. Guide: the Immigration Salary List and the Temporary Shortage List.
Questions people ask
How many employers in Scotland can sponsor a Skilled Worker visa?
At least 5,310 employers in Scotland held a Skilled Worker licence on the Home Office register on 5 October 2026, counted across 175 towns we can place in Scotland. How we count: every Skilled Worker register row whose town we can place in Scotland, plus rows that give Scotland 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 Scotland have the most visa sponsors?
On the register of 5 October 2026: Glasgow (1,297 licences), Edinburgh (1,117 licences), Aberdeen (485 licences), Dundee (159 licences) and Inverness (83 licences).
Are Skilled Worker salary rules different in Scotland?
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 Scotland's own scales, listed separately in the Home Office tables. Some Immigration Salary List entries apply only in Scotland: 1212 managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services (only fishing boat masters); 2111 chemical scientists (only jobs in the nuclear industry); and 5235 boat and ship builders and repairers. For a job on the list, the salary has to be at least £33,400 or the going rate, whichever is higher, where the certificate of sponsorship is issued before 31 December 2026.
What this means for your search in Scotland
- 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