UK Visa Sponsorship for Bulgarian Nationals
Grants by year
Data starts in 2020. The Skilled Worker route launched in December 2020 and the Health & Care Worker visa in August 2020, replacing earlier Tier 2 categories.
In 2025, 107 Bulgarian nationals were granted UK work visas on the Skilled Worker or Health & Care Worker routes, up 22% on 2024. About 86% came through the Skilled Worker route, spanning professional, technical, and managerial jobs.
The most common occupation for Bulgarian nationals in 2025 was Ship and hovercraft officers (18 grants), followed by Finance and investment analysts and advisers (10) and Dental practitioners (9). Other eligible Skilled Worker occupations are sponsorable too, as long as the employer holds a Home Office sponsor licence and the role clears the salary and skill-level thresholds for its SOC code.
Search the roles below to see who's currently hiring Bulgarian nationals. Filter by sponsor licence, visa route, or occupation.
Top occupations for Bulgarian nationals
| # | Occupation | Grants | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ship and hovercraft officers | 18 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 2 | Finance and investment analysts and advisers | 10 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 3 | Dental practitioners | 9 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 4 | Programmers and software development professionals | 6 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 5 | Marine and waterways transport operatives | 5 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 6 | Management consultants and business analysts | 3 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 7 | Generalist medical practitioners | 3 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 8 | Financial managers and directors | 2 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 9 | Medical radiographers | 2 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 10 | Chief executives and senior officials | 2 | SWSkilled Worker |
Full occupation distribution for Bulgarian nationals
Each rectangle is one occupation, sized by grant count and grouped by SOC major category. Color shows year-over-year change vs 2023. Total: 107 grants across 50 occupations.
Frequently asked questions
How many bulgarian nationals got UK work visas in 2025?
In 2025, 107 bulgarian nationals were granted UK work visas: 92 via Skilled Worker and 15 via Health & Care Worker.
What are the most common jobs bulgarian nationals get sponsored for?
Home Office data shows the top occupations for bulgarian nationals on Skilled Worker or Health & Care Worker visas are: Ship and hovercraft officers, Finance and investment analysts and advisers, Dental practitioners. Full breakdown in the table above.
Can bulgarian nationals apply for the Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Nationality doesn't affect Skilled Worker eligibility. Bulgarian nationals qualify if they have a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor, the role is on the eligible occupations list, and the salary meets the threshold (usually £41,700 or the going rate for that SOC code, whichever is higher).
Which UK companies sponsor bulgarian nationals?
Any UK employer with a Home Office sponsor licence can hire bulgarian nationals. Every company listed on Hunt UK Visa Sponsors holds one. Search jobs or browse the sponsor directory below.
Keep exploring
Current openings from Home Office licensed sponsors. Filter by visa route, salary, and occupation.
Visa trends and top occupations for every nationality, browsable by region.
See what a UK salary is really worth compared with Bulgaria — tax, purchasing power and visa costs.