What is visa sponsorship?

Visa sponsorship is when an employer supports a foreign worker's application for a work visa. This typically involves the company filing paperwork and demonstrating the need for the specific worker.

Which visa types require sponsorship?

In the US, H-1B visas for specialty occupations require employer sponsorship. In Canada, many work permits require an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment). In the UK, the Skilled Worker visa requires a licensed sponsor employer. In Australia, the Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa requires an accredited sponsor. In Ireland, Employment Permits (Critical Skills or General) require employer support.

How do I know if a company sponsors visas?

Look for companies with a track record of sponsoring work permits. ApplyWave tracks H-1B, LMIA, UK licensed sponsor, AU accredited sponsor, and Irish Employment Permit data to identify companies that sponsor workers.

Should I mention visa requirements in my application?

Be transparent about your work authorization status. Some companies specifically mention "visa sponsorship available" in job postings.

Visa Sponsorship Data

Companies That Sponsor Work Visas

Q: Can I apply for a work visa without a sponsor?

In most cases, employer sponsorship is required. However, some pathways exist: Canada's Express Entry for high-scoring candidates, Australia's independent skilled visa (Subclass 189), and the UK's Global Talent visa for exceptional individuals. For the US H-1B, employer sponsorship is always required.

Find employers with a verified track record of sponsoring work permits in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand.

View data for:

All Countries 🇺🇸 United States 🇨🇦 Canada 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇦🇺 Australia 🇮🇪 Ireland 🇳🇿 New Zealand

4,174,539

H-1B Approvals (US)

1,410,914

LMIA Approvals (CA)

2,237,955

Visa Grants (UK)

975,622

Visa Grants (AU)

174,041

Employment Permits (IE)

176,667

AEWV Approvals (NZ)

9,149,738

Total Tracked

2009-2025

Years of Data

Understanding Work Visa Sponsorship

🇺🇸 H-1B Visa (United States)

The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree. Common fields include technology, engineering, science, medicine, and finance. Employers must file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) and petition USCIS on behalf of the worker. The annual cap is 65,000 visas plus 20,000 for advanced degree holders from U.S. universities.

🇨🇦 LMIA (Canada)

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document Canadian employers need before hiring a foreign worker. A positive LMIA confirms that there is a need for a foreign worker and that no Canadian worker is available for the job. Once approved, the worker can apply for a work permit. LMIAs are commonly used for roles in tech, healthcare, skilled trades, and agriculture.

🇬🇧 Skilled Worker Visa (United Kingdom)

The UK Skilled Worker visa allows foreign nationals to work for a licensed sponsor employer. Employers must hold a valid sponsor licence from the Home Office and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The role must meet minimum skill level (RQF Level 3) and salary requirements. After 5 years, workers can apply for settlement (ILR).

🇦🇺 Skills in Demand Visa (Australia)

The Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa, now known as the Skills in Demand visa, allows Australian employers to sponsor foreign workers for occupations on the skilled occupation list. Employers must be accredited sponsors approved by the Department of Home Affairs. The visa typically leads to permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).

🇮🇪 Employment Permit (Ireland)

Ireland's Employment Permit system allows non-EEA nationals to work in Ireland. The Critical Skills Employment Permit targets highly skilled occupations (IT, engineering, healthcare) with a minimum salary of EUR 38,000. The General Employment Permit covers other eligible roles. Critical Skills permit holders can apply for Stamp 4 (permanent residence) after 2 years.

🇳🇿 Accredited Employer Work Visa (New Zealand)

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is New Zealand's main employer-sponsored work visa. Employers must be accredited by Immigration New Zealand before they can hire migrant workers. The visa requires a job check and a work visa application. Workers may transition to residence through the Skilled Migrant Category or other residence pathways.

Tip: Companies with a history of visa approvals are more likely to sponsor new candidates. Use our data to identify employers who actively sponsor work permits in your field.

Visa Approvals by Year

US: 258,119 | CA: 77,346 | UK: 135,111 | AU: 46,480

2016

US: 252,342 | CA: 87,560 | UK: 133,167 | AU: 34,446

2017

US: 264,322 | CA: 93,416 | UK: 142,878 | AU: 41,221

2018

US: 298,908 | CA: 113,212 | UK: 161,485 | AU: 28,414

2019

US: 426,722 | CA: 106,709 | UK: 98,376 | AU: 23,158 | IE: 16,401

2020

US: 475,122 | CA: 110,097 | UK: 123,306 | AU: 32,062 | IE: 16,275

2021

US: 466,185 | CA: 196,008 | UK: 217,822 | AU: 51,605 | IE: 39,956 | NZ: 22,210

2022

US: 176,949 | CA: 227,675 | UK: 279,501 | AU: 52,101 | IE: 30,981 | NZ: 79,022

2023

CA: 228,870 | UK: 154,109 | AU: 68,197 | IE: 39,384 | NZ: 35,411

2024

CA: 87,338 | UK: 94,949 | AU: 34,366 | IE: 31,044 | NZ: 40,024

2025

Top Locations for Visa Sponsorship

🇺🇸CA

820,690

🇨🇦Ontario

431,242

🇺🇸NJ

430,719

🇺🇸TX

412,565

🇦🇺New South Wales

375,962

🇨🇦Quebec

371,105

🇺🇸NY

358,145

🇨🇦British Columbia

309,900

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Visa Sponsorship by Role

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UK Visa Sponsors in London

London has the highest concentration of visa sponsors in the UK, with thousands of licensed companies across finance, technology, healthcare, and professional services. Major sponsors include Deloitte, HSBC, Barclays, NHS trusts, Google, and Meta. The City of London and Canary Wharf host most financial sector sponsors, while Shoreditch and King's Cross are hubs for tech companies.

Browse all UK visa sponsors →

UK Visa Sponsors in Manchester

Manchester is the UK's second-largest city for visa sponsorship, with a growing tech scene and strong healthcare sector. Key sponsors include the University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, AstraZeneca, Booking.com, and BBC. MediaCityUK and the Northern Quarter are growing hubs for media and tech sponsorship opportunities.

Browse all UK visa sponsors →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find companies that sponsor work visas?▼

Use our database above to find companies with verified visa sponsorship history. Companies are ranked by total approvals, so top-ranked employers have the strongest track record. You can also filter by country (US or Canada) to see region-specific data.

What's the difference between H-1B and LMIA?▼

H-1B is a U.S. work visa for specialty occupations with an annual cap and lottery system. LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is a Canadian employer document proving no local worker is available—there's no cap, but employers must demonstrate recruitment efforts. Both allow paths to permanent residence.

Does past sponsorship history guarantee future sponsorship?▼

No, but companies with consistent sponsorship history are significantly more likely to sponsor new candidates. They have established legal processes, budget allocation, and experience navigating immigration requirements. However, each case is evaluated individually based on role requirements and candidate qualifications.

Who sponsors work visas?▼

Employers sponsor work visas — not the employee. A company must file a petition or application with the government to hire a foreign worker. In the US, employers file H-1B petitions with USCIS. In Canada, employers obtain an LMIA from ESDC. In the UK, employers must hold a sponsor licence from the Home Office. In Australia, employers need to be accredited sponsors. In Ireland, employers apply for Employment Permits through DETE. In New Zealand, employers must be on the Accredited Employer list. Large companies with established HR and legal teams sponsor most frequently, but small and mid-size companies also sponsor when they cannot find local talent.

Can I apply for a work visa without a sponsor?▼

In most cases, no — employer sponsorship is required for work visas. However, some pathways exist without direct sponsorship: Canada's Express Entry (if you score high enough), Australia's independent skilled visa (Subclass 189), and the UK's Global Talent visa for exceptional individuals. For the US H-1B, employer sponsorship is always required.