Are You Ready to Be Hired by a UK Sponsor? Take the Free Occupation Assessment
Eight questions. An honest score out of 100. A specific breakdown of what to fix before you apply - so you don't spend months pursuing roles that were never going to work. Benchmarked against current UK Skilled Worker rules, including the £41,700 salary threshold and B2 English requirement effective January 2026.
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FREE OCCUPATION ASSESSMENT · 2 MINUTES
Are you ready to be hired by a UK sponsor?
Check if you are eligible for Sponsored Jobs
Eight questions. An honest score. A specific list of what to fix before you apply - so you don't waste months on roles that were never going to work.
F202100311
IAA Regulated
Winner 2024
Immigration Lawyer of the Year
3000+
UK Sponsors Served
What you will receive
01
Benchmarked against current Skilled Worker rules
02
Tailored next steps based on your answers
03
No spam - your score appears instantly
Built by WPC Jobs · Backed by IAA-regulated immigration experts
What is a sponsored job and why does readiness matter?
Why UK sponsors shortlist carefully
Over 120,000 UK employers hold a sponsor licence - but they invest significantly in the visa process, and they shortlist candidates who are demonstrably ready.
A sponsored job is any role offered by a UK employer that holds a valid sponsor licence. The employer assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which the worker then uses to apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa. Over 120,000 UK employers hold a sponsor licence - but they invest significantly in the visa process, and they shortlist candidates who are demonstrably ready. Arriving at an application with gaps in salary, SOC knowledge, English evidence, or documentation costs you the role.
Our Occupation Assessment scores you across the eight factors every licensed UK sponsor uses when evaluating a candidate. It's free, takes two minutes, and gives you a personalised action list - not a generic checklist.
The 8 assessment questions
And why they matter
Each maps to a specific factor every licensed UK sponsor uses when evaluating a candidate.
Your UK Status
Your current immigration status is the first filter every licensed sponsor applies - Skilled Worker visa holders switch with minimal risk; overseas applicants need full sponsorship.
SOC Code Knowledge
Sponsors can only issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for roles on the eligible occupations list. Knowing your SOC code signals you have done the research.
Target Salary
The minimum salary for most Skilled Worker roles is £41,700/year or the going rate - whichever is higher. Roles below cannot be sponsored unless exempt.
English Language
From 8 January 2026, new Skilled Worker applicants must demonstrate CEFR B2 (upper-intermediate) - raised from B1. Sponsors need this confirmed.
Relevant Experience
Sponsors shortlist hires who can fill the role immediately. Experience signals reduced onboarding risk and supports the resident-labour-market argument.
UK-Tailored CV
UK CVs are structured differently from most international formats. A poorly formatted CV signals you don't understand the UK hiring process.
Supporting Documents
Sponsors verify your right to work before issuing a CoS. Passport, qualifications, references, and proof of address ready accelerates compliance.
Interview Confidence
Competency-based interviews are standard in the UK. Sponsors invest significantly in the visa process - they need confidence in your interview.
Scoring methodology
How the Score Is Calculated
Each question is weighted based on how heavily that factor influences a sponsor's hiring decision. The total is out of 100.
| # | Question | Answer options (score each) | Max pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Your UK Status | I'm on a Skilled Worker visa (20) · Graduate / PSW / Dependant visa (15) · Student visa in the UK (12) · Overseas with no UK visa (8) · I'd rather not say yet (5) | 20 |
| 2 | SOC Code Knowledge | I know my exact SOC 2020 code (15) · I know my exact job title and it's on the eligible list (10) · I know the general field but not the code (5) · I'm not sure what a SOC code is (0) | 15 |
| 3 | Target Salary | £50,000 or above (15) · £41,700 – £49,999 (12) · £38,700 – £41,699 (8) · £30,000 – £38,699 (3) · Below £30,000 (0) | 15 |
| 4 | English Language | I have a valid IELTS / SELT certificate at B2+ (15) · I have a UK degree (taught in English) (15) · I'm from a majority English-speaking country (15) · I still need to take an English test (5) · I'm not sure what the requirement is (3) | 15 |
| 5 | Relevant Experience | 5 or more years (15) · 3 – 5 years (12) · 1 – 3 years (8) · Less than 1 year (3) · Recent graduate (less than 6 months) (5) | 15 |
| 6 | UK-Tailored CV | UK-formatted and updated this month (10) · UK-formatted, updated in the last 6 months (7) · International CV (not UK format) (3) · I don't have a CV right now (0) | 10 |
| 7 | Supporting Documents | Passport, qualifications, references and bank statements (5) · Passport and qualifications (3) · Passport only (1) · Nothing ready yet (0) | 5 |
| 8 | Interview Confidence | Very confident - I've done many UK-style interviews (5) · Reasonably confident - I've done some interviews (4) · Not very confident - it's been a while (2) · I've never had a formal job interview (0) | 5 |
Weighting: UK status + salary (35 pts) · SOC code + English + experience (45 pts) · CV + docs + interview (20 pts)
What your score means
The Four Readiness Bands
All four band descriptions are pre-rendered on this page - Googlebot indexes every outcome. Your band is shown instantly after the 8th answer is submitted.
80 – 100
Sponsor Ready
You have the profile most UK sponsors are looking for. Your next move is to get in front of the right verified employers.
Create your WPC Jobs profile60 – 79
Almost There
You're close to ready. A few targeted improvements will significantly boost your appeal to licensed employers.
Close the gaps to reach Sponsor Ready30 – 59
Needs Work
There are some clear gaps to address before applying. The WPC Career Academy can help you close them efficiently.
Join WPC Jobs Career Academy0 – 29
Early Stage
You're at the beginning of your UK sponsorship journey. Start with our Career Academy foundations programme.
Join WPC Jobs Career AcademyThe 2026 Skilled Worker rules
Your score is benchmarked against
The assessment uses the current eligibility framework as of May 2026.
Salary threshold £41,700/yr
£41,700 per year or the going rate for your SOC code - whichever is higher.
Read the full guidance →English language B2 CEFR
CEFR B2 (upper-intermediate) is now required for new Skilled Worker applicants, raised from B1. See the GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa overview for accepted evidence types.
GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa overviewEligible occupations RQF 6+ list
Roles must appear in the Skilled Worker eligible occupations table at RQF 6 or above (or qualifying RQF 3–5 via ISL). 111 roles were removed in July 2025.
Read: Which Occupations Are Out? The 111 Roles Removed from the Skilled Worker VisaSOC 2020 codes Eligible list
Your role must be mapped to a SOC 2020 code from the eligible occupations list.
Read: How to Check the RQF Level for Any UK Job and Skilled Worker Visa: List of Eligible Occupations and CodesImmigration Salary List RQF 3–5 routes
Some RQF 3–5 roles remain eligible via the Immigration Salary List.
Read: Which RQF Level 3–5 Jobs Still Qualify for UK Skilled Worker Visa?
Personalised next steps
What happens after your assessment
Your score determines your next move - and the action plan that goes with it.
You're Sponsor Ready
Create your free WPC Jobs profile to be discovered by licensed sponsors actively hiring. Your score is attached as a verified readiness signal.
Create WPC Jobs profile →You're Almost There
Create your profile and use the gap analysis from your PDF report to close the gaps identified - typically CV formatting, document collection, or English test booking.
Create profile + close gaps →Needs Work
Join the WPC Jobs Career Academy - structured guidance covering SOC identification, UK CV writing, interview preparation, and English test support.
Join WPC Career Academy →Early Stage
Start Career Academy from the foundations - designed for candidates who apply without preparation and waste months as a result.
Start Career Academy →Meet WPC Jobs
Built for sponsored hiring
WPC Jobs (wpcjobs.co.uk) is WorkPermitCloud's dedicated UK job board for roles that can be sponsored. Every employer on the platform holds a valid sponsor licence and is actively hiring. The platform is backed by IAA-regulated immigration experts and won Immigration Lawyer of the Year 2024.
120,000+
UK sponsors licensed
Verified
Candidate-sponsor matching
4.9★
Across WPC platforms
Unlike generic job boards, WPC Jobs connects verified candidates directly with sponsors based on immigration readiness - not just CV keywords.
Create a free profile and get started →Why candidates trust us
Built by immigration lawyers, backed by sponsors
WPC has guided thousands of UK Skilled Worker visa candidates from initial assessment to verified sponsor placement.
7,000+
Visas approved
3,000+
Sponsors served
(across every sector)
4.9★
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Registration No. F202100311 - you're always in safe hands
Immigration Lawyer of the Year 2024
Independently recognised expertise
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Your data secured
GDPR-compliant
No spam, your assessment stays private
Take 2 minutes to find out where you stand
It's free, no login required, and fully GDPR-compliant. Your score and action plan are generated instantly.
FAQ
Common questions
What is a sponsored job in the UK?
A sponsored job is one offered by a UK employer that holds a valid sponsor licence. The employer assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the worker, which is then used to apply for a Skilled Worker visa. Without a licensed sponsor, international workers cannot obtain a Skilled Worker visa.
How do I know if my job can be sponsored?
Check the GOV.UK Skilled Worker eligible occupations list. Your role must have a SOC 2020 code that appears in the eligible occupations table at RQF Level 6 or above (or be on the Immigration Salary List for RQF 3–5). Our eligibility checker helps you identify your readiness before approaching sponsors.
What is the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa in 2026?
The minimum is £41,700 per year or the going rate for your SOC code - whichever is higher. This threshold was updated on 22 July 2025. Some exemptions apply (e.g. new entrant rate, shortage occupation rate). Roles below £41,700 generally cannot be sponsored.
What English language level do I need for a Skilled Worker visa in 2026?
From 8 January 2026, new Skilled Worker applicants must demonstrate English at CEFR B2 (upper-intermediate), raised from B1. Accepted evidence includes: IELTS / SELT certificate, a UK degree or degree taught in English, or nationality of a majority English-speaking country.
Does the employer need to pay for my visa?
The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) must be paid by the employer and cannot legally be passed to the worker. The employer also covers the Certificate of Sponsorship fee. Visa application fees and Immigration Health Surcharge are typically the worker's responsibility, though many employers reimburse these as part of their package.
What is WPC Jobs and how does it connect me to sponsors?
WPC Jobs (wpcjobs.co.uk) is a dedicated UK job board for roles that can be sponsored, built and operated by WorkPermitCloud. Employers on the platform are licensed sponsors actively seeking to hire. Creating a verified profile allows sponsors to discover you directly, and your Occupation Assessment score is used to benchmark your readiness.
I scored below 60 - does that mean I cannot get a sponsored job?
No. A lower score identifies the specific gaps between your current position and sponsor-ready status. The WPC Jobs Career Academy is designed to close those gaps systematically - covering CV formatting, English test preparation, SOC code identification, and interview coaching.
How many UK employers hold a sponsor licence?
As of 2026, over 120,000 UK employers appear on the Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors. The register is publicly available and updated monthly. However, not all licence holders are actively recruiting - WPC Jobs focuses on sponsors who are actively hiring.
Can I apply for a sponsored job while on a Student or Graduate visa?
Yes. Student visa holders can apply for sponsored roles that start after their course ends (they cannot work more than 20 hours/week during term). Graduate (PSW) visa holders can apply and switch to a Skilled Worker visa once they have a job offer, without leaving the UK.
Still have questions?
Have a specific eligibility concern? Talk to an Adviser.