Visa Sponsorship Statistics 2026
Official data on employer visa sponsorship across UK, USA, Canada and Europe — sourced directly from government registries and immigration authorities.
United Kingdom
Skilled Worker Visa
Top Industries
- Healthcare & NHS
- Information Technology
- Engineering
- Finance
- Education
Salary Threshold
£26,200 (general) / £38,700 (new entrants from April 2024)
Key Facts
- ✓Over 30,000 UK employers hold an active Skilled Worker sponsor licence
- ✓The NHS is the single largest employer of sponsored workers in the UK
- ✓IT and tech roles make up ~35% of all Skilled Worker visa applications
- ✓Skilled Worker visas can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years
- ✓The salary threshold increased to £38,700 in April 2024 (up from £26,200)
United States
H-1B Visa
Top Industries
- Technology
- Consulting
- Healthcare
- Finance
- Academia
Salary Threshold
Prevailing wage required (varies by role & location)
Key Facts
- ✓H-1B cap is 65,000 per year, with 20,000 additional for US master's degree holders
- ✓Cap-exempt employers (universities, non-profits) can sponsor year-round
- ✓Top H-1B sponsors include Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Infosys and TCS
- ✓The H-1B lottery acceptance rate has been below 25% in recent years
- ✓H-1B holders can apply for a Green Card through employer sponsorship
Canada
LMIA (Temporary Foreign Worker Program)
Top Industries
- Agriculture
- Healthcare
- Technology
- Hospitality
- Construction
Salary Threshold
Median wage for the occupation in the region
Key Facts
- ✓Canada issues over 200,000 LMIA decisions per year across all streams
- ✓The High Wage and Low Wage streams are the most common LMIA pathways
- ✓LMIA-based work permits can be a pathway to Canadian Permanent Residence
- ✓The Global Talent Stream provides expedited 2-week processing for tech roles
- ✓Quebec has its own separate labour market assessment process (LSPQ)
Europe
EU Blue Card / National Work Visas
Top Industries
- Technology
- Engineering
- Healthcare
- Research
- Finance
Salary Threshold
Varies by country — e.g. €46,000+ for EU Blue Card (2024)
Key Facts
- ✓The Netherlands processes Highly Skilled Migrant applications in ~2 weeks
- ✓Germany's EU Blue Card requires a job offer with salary above €46,000/year
- ✓Ireland's Critical Skills permit covers over 50 shortage occupations
- ✓The EU Blue Card allows movement within the EU after 18 months
- ✓France's Talent Passport covers researchers, artists, company founders and more
Frequently Asked Questions
How many companies sponsor visas in the UK?
Over 30,000 UK employers hold an active Skilled Worker sponsor licence issued by the Home Office. This number has grown significantly since Brexit as employers adapt to the new points-based immigration system.
How many H-1B visas are issued each year in the USA?
The standard H-1B cap is 65,000 visas per year, with an additional 20,000 reserved for applicants with US master's degrees. Due to high demand, USCIS conducts an annual lottery. Cap-exempt employers like universities and non-profits are not subject to this limit.
What is an LMIA in Canada?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document Canadian employers must obtain before hiring a temporary foreign worker. A positive LMIA confirms there is a genuine need for a foreign worker and that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available for the job.
Which country is easiest to get a sponsored work visa?
The Netherlands is widely considered one of the most accessible countries for sponsored work visas — the Highly Skilled Migrant permit has no labour market test, no quota, and processes in around 2 weeks. Canada's Global Talent Stream also offers 2-week processing for tech roles.
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All statistics sourced from official government data. Last updated March 2026. For informational purposes only.