UK Visa Sponsorship for South African 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, 970 South African nationals were granted UK work visas on the Skilled Worker or Health & Care Worker routes, down 50% on 2024. About 82% came through the Skilled Worker route, spanning professional, technical, and managerial jobs.
The most common occupation for South African nationals in 2025 was Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians (116 grants), followed by Chartered and certified accountants (61) and Social workers (43). 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 South African nationals. Filter by sponsor licence, visa route, or occupation.
Top occupations for South African nationals
| # | Occupation | Grants | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians | 116 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 2 | Chartered and certified accountants | 61 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 3 | Social workers | 43 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 4 | Telecoms and related network installers and repairers | 37 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 5 | Welding trades | 34 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 6 | Management consultants and business analysts | 32 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 7 | Care workers and home carers | 24 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 8 | Generalist medical practitioners | 19 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 9 | Occupational therapists | 19 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 10 | Vehicle body builders and repairers | 18 | SWSkilled Worker |
Full occupation distribution for South African 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: 969 grants across 154 occupations.
Frequently asked questions
How many south african nationals got UK work visas in 2025? In 2025, 970 south african nationals were granted UK work visas: 794 via Skilled Worker and 176 via Health & Care Worker.
What are the most common jobs south african nationals get sponsored for? Home Office data shows the top occupations for south african nationals on Skilled Worker or Health & Care Worker visas are: Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians, Chartered and certified accountants, Social workers. Full breakdown in the table above.
Can south african nationals apply for the Skilled Worker visa? Yes. Nationality doesn't affect Skilled Worker eligibility. South African 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 south african nationals? Any UK employer with a Home Office sponsor licence can hire south african 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 South Africa — tax, purchasing power and visa costs.