UK Visa Sponsorship for South Korean 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, 194 South Korean nationals were granted UK work visas on the Skilled Worker or Health & Care Worker routes, down 15% on 2024. About 92% came through the Skilled Worker route, spanning professional, technical, and managerial jobs.
The most common occupation for South Korean nationals in 2025 was Programmers and software development professionals (26 grants), followed by Finance and investment analysts and advisers (12) and Management consultants and business analysts (10). 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 Korean nationals. Filter by sponsor licence, visa route, or occupation.
Top occupations for South Korean nationals
| # | Occupation | Grants | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Programmers and software development professionals | 26 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 2 | Finance and investment analysts and advisers | 12 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 3 | Management consultants and business analysts | 10 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 4 | Natural and social science professionals n.e.c. | 10 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 5 | Generalist medical practitioners | 9 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 6 | Other researchers, unspecified discipline | 8 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 7 | Solicitors and lawyers | 7 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 8 | Pharmacists | 6 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 9 | Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors | 6 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 10 | IT business analysts, architects and systems designers | 5 | SWSkilled Worker |
Full occupation distribution for South Korean 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: 194 grants across 62 occupations.
Frequently asked questions
How many south korean nationals got UK work visas in 2025?
In 2025, 194 south korean nationals were granted UK work visas: 178 via Skilled Worker and 16 via Health & Care Worker.
What are the most common jobs south korean nationals get sponsored for?
Home Office data shows the top occupations for south korean nationals on Skilled Worker or Health & Care Worker visas are: Programmers and software development professionals, Finance and investment analysts and advisers, Management consultants and business analysts. Full breakdown in the table above.
Can south korean nationals apply for the Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Nationality doesn't affect Skilled Worker eligibility. South Korean 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 korean nationals?
Any UK employer with a Home Office sponsor licence can hire south korean 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 Korea — tax, purchasing power and visa costs.