How to vet an employer
Before you accept a job offer, it is important to check that the employer is legitimate, legally allowed to sponsor you, and has a clean history. This can protect you from scams and exploitation.
Check the sponsor is licensed
Go to the official Register of Licensed Sponsors and search the company name. If they are not on this list, they cannot legally employ you on a Skilled Worker visa.
gov.uk — Register of Licensed Sponsors (Workers)
Research the company on Companies House
Search the business on Companies House to check it is still active and has not been shut down. Look at any past name changes — many name changes can be a warning sign of a company trying to escape a bad history.
find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.ukCheck the legal history — Employment Tribunal records
Search the Employment Tribunal records for the employer's name. See if the company has been taken to tribunal for unpaid wages or other employment breaches. Repeated claims is a warning sign.
gov.uk — Employment Tribunal DecisionsCheck health and safety records
A safe workplace is a legal requirement. Ask to see a copy of their health and safety risk assessment or insurance policy before starting. You can also check the Health and Safety Executive website for any enforcement notices issued against the company.
resources.hse.gov.uk/noticesSearch what others say — Google, LinkedIn, Glassdoor
Search the company name on Google, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor. Look for repeated complaints about pay, hours, breaches, or bullying. These are warning signs.
glassdoor.co.ukCheck for Home Office civil penalties
The Home Office publishes a list of employers who have been issued civil penalties for employing illegal workers. An employer appearing repeatedly on this list is a serious warning sign — it may indicate poor compliance with immigration rules and could put your own sponsorship at risk.
gov.uk — Employers issued with civil penaltiesOnce an employer assigns you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), their legal responsibility to you begins immediately — even before you travel to the UK. The job description and salary on your CoS must accurately reflect the role. If they do not, this is the employer's breach — but it can affect your visa too. Always check your CoS carefully before using it in a visa application.
An unlicensed sponsor cannot legally employ you on a Skilled Worker visa. A financially unstable company may disappear before it can pay you. A bad legal history shows an employer may not follow the law. Use these checks to avoid scams and protect yourself from exploitation.