UK Aerospace & Defence Visa Sponsorship (2026)
Airbus, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo UK and Boeing UK sponsor engineers across civil aerospace, defence, propulsion, and avionics. ATAS clearance often required.
Top sponsoring employers
Typical salary band
£45,000–£120,000
Visa routes used
Skilled Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker (GBM)
Why this industry sponsors at scale
Multi-decade aerospace engineering programmes (Typhoon, Tempest, civil aircraft) require continuous global talent inflow.
How to get in
ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance frequently required for sensitive engineering roles before visa application.
Frequently asked questions
Which UK aerospace & defence companies sponsor visas in 2026?
Airbus UK, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo UK, Boeing UK, GKN Aerospace are among the most consistent sponsors in this sector. Airbus, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo UK and Boeing UK sponsor engineers across civil aerospace, defence, propulsion, and avionics. ATAS clearance often required.
What salary do aerospace & defence sponsored roles pay?
£45,000–£120,000. The general Skilled Worker visa threshold is £41,700 (April 2025); most aerospace & defence sponsored roles comfortably clear it.
What visa routes are used in UK aerospace & defence?
Skilled Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker (GBM).
How do international candidates get sponsored aerospace & defence jobs?
ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance frequently required for sensitive engineering roles before visa application.