UK Visa Sponsorship for Sri Lankan 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, 830 Sri Lankan nationals were granted UK work visas on the Skilled Worker or Health & Care Worker routes, down 70% on 2024. Grants were split roughly evenly between the two routes.
The most common occupation for Sri Lankan nationals in 2025 was Care workers and home carers (172 grants), followed by Generalist medical practitioners (158) and Specialist medical practitioners (66). 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 Sri Lankan nationals. Filter by sponsor licence, visa route, or occupation.
Top occupations for Sri Lankan nationals
| # | Occupation | Grants | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Care workers and home carers | 172 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 2 | Generalist medical practitioners | 158 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 3 | Specialist medical practitioners | 66 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 4 | Managers and directors in retail and wholesale | 44 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 5 | Sales supervisors - retail and wholesale | 43 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 6 | Shopkeepers and owners - retail and wholesale | 22 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 7 | Other registered nursing professionals | 20 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 8 | Registered nurse practitioners | 15 | H&CHealth & Care |
| 9 | Fishmongers and poultry dressers | 14 | SWSkilled Worker |
| 10 | Chefs | 14 | SWSkilled Worker |
Full occupation distribution for Sri Lankan 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: 822 grants across 110 occupations.
Frequently asked questions
How many sri lankan nationals got UK work visas in 2025?
In 2025, 830 sri lankan nationals were granted UK work visas: 345 via Skilled Worker and 485 via Health & Care Worker.
What are the most common jobs sri lankan nationals get sponsored for?
Home Office data shows the top occupations for sri lankan nationals on Skilled Worker or Health & Care Worker visas are: Care workers and home carers, Generalist medical practitioners, Specialist medical practitioners. Full breakdown in the table above.
Can sri lankan nationals apply for the Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Nationality doesn't affect Skilled Worker eligibility. Sri Lankan 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 sri lankan nationals?
Any UK employer with a Home Office sponsor licence can hire sri lankan 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 Sri Lanka — tax, purchasing power and visa costs.