Can You Pay Companies for Tier 2 Visa Sponsorship in Digital

It is not legal to pay companies directly to obtain Tier 2 visa sponsorship in the UK, including in the digital business field. Employers are required by law to sponsor a Skilled Worker (Tier 2) visa only when there is a genuine job offer, and any attempt to pay for sponsorship could result in serious consequences for both the employee and the employer.

Why Paying for Sponsorship is Illegal:

1. Violation of UK Immigration Rules:

o Employers must prove that they need to hire a foreign worker because no suitable UK or settled worker is available. Paying for sponsorship undermines this requirement.

2. Employer Responsibility:

o Employers must cover the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) and cannot ask employees to reimburse this cost.

3. Risk of Visa Revocation:

o If authorities discover fraudulent sponsorship arrangements, the visa can be canceled, and the employer may lose their sponsorship license.

Legal and Ethical Ways to Obtain a Tier 2 Visa Sponsorship:

1. Find Genuine Job Opportunities

• Apply for positions in the digital business field that qualify for a Skilled Worker visa.

• Use platforms like:

o LinkedIn (filter jobs by ""visa sponsorship available"").

o Tier 2-specific job boards like UKHired.

2. Target Companies with a Sponsorship License

• Check the UK Government’s Register of Licensed Sponsors to find employers who are authorized to sponsor Skilled Worker visas.

3. Build In-Demand Skills

• Enhance your expertise in sought-after areas like:

o Digital marketing

o E-commerce platforms (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce)

o Data analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, SQL)

o SEO and PPC management.

• Highlight certifications (e.g., Google Ads, HubSpot, Meta Marketing).

4. Consider Internships or Graduate Schemes

• Apply for digital business graduate programs at multinational companies, as these often include visa sponsorship.

5. Work with Trusted Recruitment Agencies

• Partner with agencies that specialize in Tier 2 sponsorship opportunities in digital business.

Warning Signs of Scams:

• Payment Requests: Avoid any company or agent asking for money in exchange for sponsorship.

• Fake Job Offers: Be wary of generic or suspicious job offers from companies you didn’t apply to.

• Unregistered Companies: Verify the company’s license on the government sponsor register.

If you need guidance on tailoring your CV for digital business roles or finding legitimate Tier 2 opportunities, let me know!