UK job: visa with low pay or no visa high pay?

Choosing between a Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) sponsorship with a lower salary in Newcastle and a higher-paying job in London without sponsorship commitment depends on your current visa status, long-term goals, and appetite for risk.

Here’s a full and balanced answer to help you decide:

If You Need Sponsorship to Stay and Work in the UK:

You should choose the Newcastle job with Tier 2 sponsorship. Here's why:

• Legal Right to Work: Without sponsorship, you cannot legally work in the UK once your current visa (if any) expires. The Newcastle offer gives you the legal foundation to live and work in the UK.

• Path to Permanent Residency: A Skilled Worker visa leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years. This is the clearest path to long-term settlement.

• Job Change Flexibility: After some time, once you’re on a Skilled Worker visa, you can switch to another employer with a better offer that’s also a licensed sponsor.

• Security Over Salary: While the salary may be lower, the visa security and ability to build your life in the UK outweigh short-term income benefits.

If You Already Have the Right to Work in the UK (e.g., on a Graduate, Dependent, or Youth Mobility visa):

You can consider the London offer, but with caution:

• Short-Term Gain: The higher salary may offer better savings or lifestyle in the short term.

• Visa Expiry Risk: If your visa expires and the company still doesn’t sponsor you, you’ll either have to find a new sponsor quickly or leave the UK.

• Market Positioning: With 8 years of Java experience, you might feel confident about securing a sponsored role later—but that still involves risk, especially as many UK companies are selective about sponsorship.

Additional Considerations:

• Cost of Living: London salaries are typically higher because living expenses are much higher. A ""high"" London salary may not actually result in more disposable income than a modest salary in Newcastle.

• Company Culture & Growth: Sometimes, smaller cities offer closer-knit teams and more stability, while London offers faster career growth and networking opportunities. Evaluate the team, tech stack, and potential for promotion at both places.

In Summary:

• If you need sponsorship: choose Newcastle. Visa security is the foundation for everything else.

• If you already have work rights and can afford the risk, the London job could offer better pay and exposure, but comes with uncertainty.

Always align your choice with your long-term immigration goals and career trajectory. If staying in the UK long term is your goal, never compromise on visa security, even for a better salary.