$103,000 High Paying Jobs in the United Kingdom with Visa Sponsorships

You are looking for high paying roles in the UK with visa sponsorship, and you want realistic, policy-compliant guidance that can help you apply today. This guide gives you:

  • Current visa salary rules and what they mean for your job search. GOV.UK+1

  • $103,000+ job paths that commonly sponsor, with salary bands and where to apply.

  • A clear, step-by-step process from shortlisting to getting a Certificate of Sponsorship.

  • Deadlines, typical hiring windows, and mistakes that block offers.

  • Safe links to official sources and reputable job boards.

No false promises. A job offer and a licensed sponsor are always required for a Skilled Worker visa. Nothing here guarantees a job or visa, and you should never pay a recruiter for sponsorship. Check every detail on official pages linked in this guide.

Who this guide is for

  • Professionals outside the UK who want visa-sponsored roles that pay roughly $103,000 USD or more per year, which is about £80,000 depending on exchange rates.

  • Final-year students or recent grads switching from Graduate or Student visas into skilled roles.

  • Experienced candidates in healthcare, technology, and finance looking for immediate start roles or hiring now postings.

Visa rules you must meet in 2025

Salary thresholds now in force

As of 22 July 2025, most Skilled Worker applicants must meet at least £41,700 per year or the going rate for their occupation, whichever is higher. GOV.UK

  • The Immigration Salary List (ISL) gives some roles lower thresholds, but the job must appear on the list and all other rules still apply. GOV.UK

  • Each occupation has a going rate published by the Home Office. Your offer needs to hit that figure if it is higher than the general threshold. GOV.UK

Skills level and eligible roles

From 22 July 2025, new Skilled Worker roles usually need to be at RQF level 6 or on the ISL or Temporary Shortage List. Many RQF 3–5 roles are no longer eligible for new sponsorships, with some transitional cases for existing workers. GOV.UK+1

Hourly floor and working hours cap

There is a minimum hourly rate and a cap on counting more than 48 hours per week toward salary calculations. Sponsors must show the pay meets both the annual and hourly tests. WR Immigration

Health and Care Visa differences

Most NHS and public health roles follow national pay scales and a lower threshold applies in those bands, which is why many medical roles remain strong options for sponsorship. GOV.UKNHS Employers

What “$103,000+” looks like in the UK market

$103,000 USD is roughly £80,000. Roles near or above this level are common in:

  • Medical consultant posts and some dental roles

  • Senior or specialist software, cloud, DevOps, security, machine learning

  • Solutions architect and similar “architect” roles in tech

  • Actuarial, investment banking, and other front-office finance tracks

You will also see sign-on bonuses, on-call pay, or private practice income in some sectors, but the

visa test looks at guaranteed base pay and official hours.

The strongest $103,000+ job paths that sponsor

Below are the roles and titles you will actually find on job boards with sponsorship notes. Each subsection includes salary signals and where to search.

1) Medical consultants and senior doctors

  • Why it fits: NHS consultant pay scales clear the £80k mark, with higher points and supplements taking total pay further up. NHS EmployersBMA

  • Titles to target: Consultant Physician, Consultant Anaesthetist, Consultant Radiologist, Consultant Psychiatrist.

  • Where to search: NHS Jobs is the official channel for most NHS roles, and it lists sponsorship notes on vacancies. NHS JobsNHS Health CareersNHS Jobs

  • Tip: Use filters for “Medical & Dental” and add “sponsorship” to your keyword. Keep documents ready for GMC or GDC registration.

2) Dentistry

  • Why it fits: Experienced dentists in NHS or mixed practices can cross the £80k line, often through banded pay or mixed income streams.

  • Where to search: NHS Jobs and large dental groups.

  • Visa angle: Many posts mention sponsorship and help with GDC registration.

3) Senior Software Engineer and Staff Engineer

  • Why it fits: London and the South East post higher bases for senior engineering.

  • Salary signals: Senior developer roles range widely, with strong London offers touching or passing £80k. EMBS

  • Where to search: Employer career sites, LinkedIn, major tech boards.

4) DevOps and Cloud Engineering

  • Why it fits: DevOps and Cloud are in continuous demand. Senior ranges in London often reach the target, with some roles higher. Morgan McKinleyIT Jobs Watch

  • Add-ons: On-call allowances and equity can lift total pay.

5) Machine Learning Engineer / Data Scientist

  • Why it fits: Advanced data roles in fintech, health tech, and SaaS can exceed £80k in major hubs.

  • Check: Use going rates to confirm the pay meets Skilled Worker rules. GOV.UK

6) Solutions Architect / Security Architect / Cloud Architect

  • Why it fits: Architect roles in enterprise IT often sit at or above £80k, with London medians even higher. Morgan McKinleyIT Jobs WatchIndeed

  • Examples: AWS or Azure solution architecture in regulated sectors. Levels.fyi shows top-tier packages well north of the threshold at major firms. Levels.fyi+1

7) Cybersecurity

  • Why it fits: Security architects, principal analysts, and incident response leads in finance, telecom, and government suppliers often match the target in London.

8) Investment Banking and Front-Office Finance

  • Why it fits: Investment banking analysts and associates in London often meet or exceed the £80k line at total compensation, with many bases plus bonuses. GlassdoorWall Street Oasis

  • Other tracks: Actuaries progress toward high-five to low-six figures, with London senior roles crossing the line. actuarialcareers.co.ukGlassdoor

Note on policy changes: Salary thresholds and the eligible roles list adjust over time. Always match your offer to the current rules and going rates before you accept. GOV.UK+1

Where to find visa-sponsored roles today

Official sponsor list

Use the Register of Licensed Sponsors to find employers who can legally sponsor your visa. Export the list, then search each company’s careers page. GOV.UK

NHS roles

Go straight to NHS Jobs to find urgent postings, “immediate start” language, and Health and Care Visa options. NHS Jobs

Going rates and policy pages

  • Immigration Salary List and going rates table show the pay you need for each code. Keep these tabs open while you apply. GOV.UK+1

Salary snapshots by role

These ranges help you shortlist roles that can meet $103,000+ in the UK. Always compare with the going rate and location.

Role Typical UK Range (Base) Notes
NHS Consultant doctor ~£93,000 to £140,000+ Based on national pay scales, excludes private practice. NHS Employers
Senior Software Engineer ~£55,000 to £95,000+ Higher in London and FAANG-style firms. EMBS
DevOps Engineer (senior) ~£65,000 to £90,000+ London medians hit £65k–£80k, top roles more. Morgan McKinley
Solutions Architect ~£80,000 to £120,000+ London average six figures at some firms. Morgan McKinley
Investment Banking Analyst ~£65,000 to £115,000+ Base plus bonus can clear £80k quickly. Glassdoor
Actuary (mid to senior) ~£63,000 to £113,000+ London senior roles cross £80k. Glassdoor

These figures are market snapshots from reputable salary guides and platforms. Employers set final pay based on location, level, and business need.

How to apply, step by step

Step 1: Match your job to an occupation code and going rate

Read the going rates page, find your occupation code, and note the annual and hourly minimums. Keep a record so you can cross-check your offer. GOV.UK

Step 2: Build a short list of sponsoring employers

Download the Register of Licensed Sponsors and create a tracker. Filter by sector, then check each company’s careers page forvisa sponsorship”, “Skilled Worker”, or “certificate of sponsorship”. GOV.UK

Step 3: Prepare UK-ready documents

  • UK-style CV in 2 pages, crisp bullets, impact numbers.

  • Proof of registration if needed (GMC, GDC, HCPC).

  • Degree and transcript for RQF level checks, plus English test if required.

Step 4: Apply on employer websites and trusted boards

Use NHS Jobs for medical posts, large-firm career pages for tech and finance, and add “visa sponsorship UK” to filters. NHS Jobs

Step 5: Check the offer meets visa rules

Confirm the salary, hours, occupation code, and work location match Skilled Worker rules. Remember the £41,700 floor and 48-hour counting rule. GOV.UKWR Immigration

Step 6: Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Your employer raises the CoS. Review details for accuracy before you submit the visa application. Guidance for sponsors is public, so you can learn the process language. GOV.UK

Step 7: Submit your visa application

Apply online, book biometrics if needed, and keep your CoS reference ready. Follow the latest Home Office steps on the Skilled Worker route. GOV.UK

Application deadlines and hiring windows

  • NHS and healthcare: Hiring is rolling year-round. “Urgent” and “immediate start” postings appear often. NHS Jobs

  • Tech: Continuous hiring, with peaks in Q1–Q2 and after budgeting cycles.

  • Investment banking and grad schemes: Many open August–October for summer start dates; lateral hiring is ad hoc.

  • Actuarial and insurance: Peaks before financial year planning and after bonus season.

Always read the closing date on the vacancy page. If the listing says “hiring now” or “apply now”, act fast and tailor the application to the role.

Job-winning templates and checklists

A. Short email for sponsor-licensed employers

Hello [Name], I am a [Role] with [X years] in [skill], now seeking a UK role that meets Skilled Worker salary and going-rate rules for [Occupation code]. My current project delivers [impact metric]. I can start in [timeline]. Could we schedule a quick call this week?

B. Interview proof points

  • Business impact: revenue saved, bugs reduced, downtime cut, patients seen, audits passed.

  • Visa readiness: registration complete, English test result, relocation plan.

  • Pay alignment: how your target offer meets £41,700+ and the going rate for your code. GOV.UK+1

Mistakes that kill sponsorship offers

  • Occupation code mismatch with your actual tasks.

  • Pay that misses the going rate, even when it meets the general threshold. GOV.UK

  • Roles that no longer qualify under RQF 6 unless covered by ISL or a transitional rule. GOV.UK

  • Counting overtime above 48 hours to meet salary. WR Immigration

  • Applying to firms that are not on the sponsor register. GOV.UK

Quick role-by-role playbooks with “apply now” angles

Medical consultants

Search NHS Jobs, filter Medical & Dental, add “sponsorship”. Shortlist Trusts with consistent consultant hiring. Match your GMC docs, add a line on ISL awareness, and reference the national pay scale band you fit. NHS JobsNHS Employers

Senior software engineer

Target employers on the sponsor register with cloud, fintech, AI, or security teams. Mention scale, uptime metrics, or performance wins. Align with going rate for your code before you accept offers. GOV.UK+1

DevOps and cloud

Lead with IaC, CI/CD, incident metrics, and cost savings. In London, senior posts often reach the target base. If a role says “immediate start”, move fast with a one-page impact brief attached. Morgan McKinley

Solutions architect

Show architecture decisions with clear trade-offs and results. Salary data supports a six-figure London range at many firms. Morgan McKinley

Cybersecurity

Focus on risk reduction, mean time to detect and respond, and audit outcomes. Look for hiring now language in finance and telecom postings.

Investment banking

Use your deal sheet, modeling tests, and references. Many analyst and associate roles hit your target when you include bonus, but your visa depends on base pay and hours within the rules. Glassdoor

Actuary

Point to pricing or reserving models you built and what they changed. London mid-senior roles reach the target. Glassdoor

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a job offer before I apply for a visa?
Yes. A Home Office-approved sponsor must offer you a role and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship. GOV.UK+1

What pay do I need in 2025?
Usually £41,700 per year or the going rate for your occupation code, whichever is higher. Some roles on the Immigration Salary List have adjusted thresholds. GOV.UK+2GOV.UK+2

Are urgent or immediate-start roles real?
Yes, especially in healthcare and operations. Always confirm the sponsor license and check the going rate before you accept. GOV.UK

Can overtime push me over the salary line?
Only up to 48 hours per week can count toward the annual calculation, and you must meet the hourly floor too. WR Immigration

Do NHS jobs still sponsor?
Yes. Many NHS Trusts sponsor under national pay scales. Check each vacancy on NHS Jobs. NHS JobsGOV.UK

Final checklist before you click “apply”

  • Your target title and occupation code match the work you will do. GOV.UK

  • The base salary meets £41,700+ or the going rate and the hourly floor. GOV.UKWR Immigration

  • The employer is on the sponsor register. GOV.UK

  • Your registration or license is ready for the UK market, if required.

  • Your CV shows outcomes, numbers, and tools that match the ad.

  • You apply on official employer portals or NHS Jobs, not through random links.

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