Many people around the world dream of working in the United Kingdom. For years, jobs like cleaning and housekeeping gave workers from other countries a chance to move to the UK with visa sponsorship. But from 2025, new immigration rules have made this dream much harder.
These rules are not simple. Many people are confused, and some websites share the wrong information. This simple guide will define the changes in simple English language. You will understand why most housekeeping duties no longer qualify for sponsorship, what rare exceptions still exist, and how you can check if a duty is original. The world is to give you complete and honest details, so you can make smart choices related your career and your original visa.
Why Traditional Housekeeping Roles Are No Longer Eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa
The main reason is the new skill level rule. From July 2025, the UK government says that to get a Skilled Worker visa, the job must be at RQF Level 6 or higher. This means the job must need skills equal to a university degree.
Housekeeping and cleaning jobs are usually listed under the code SOC 9231 (Cleaners and Domestics). These jobs are considered low-skilled, not degree level. Because of this, employers cannot get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for them anymore.
The UK government made this change to reduce the number of migrants and to focus on “highly skilled” workers. Sadly, this has had a big effect on industries like hospitality, hotels, and domestic services, where many workers come from outside the UK.
In short: normal housekeeper or domestic cleaner jobs cannot be sponsored anymore.
The Financial Hurdles: Salary Thresholds and the “Going Rate”
Even if skill levels were not a problem, the salary rule is another barrier.
From late 2025, the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa is £41,700 per year, or the “going rate” for that type of job (whichever is higher).
Most housekeeping roles pay far less than this. For example, the average housekeeper salary in hotels is between £18,000–£23,000 per year. This is much lower than £41,700.
Because of this, even if a housekeeper job could be reclassified, the pay is not high enough to meet the visa rule. This makes sponsorship impossible for almost all standard cleaning or domestic jobs.
So the two rules together—higher skill level and higher salary threshold—have closed the Skilled Worker visa route for housekeeping jobs.
Exceptions to the Rule: The Few Remaining Pathways
Not every job is blocked. A few special or higher-level roles in the cleaning and housekeeping field may still qualify. These jobs require management or specialist experience.
- Hotel and Accommodation Manager
This is a senior job. You manage the whole hotel, including the housekeeping staff. Because it needs higher skills and more responsibility, it can be sponsored. - Cleaning and Hygiene Services Manager
This job is usually in big companies, hospitals, or schools. You manage teams, set cleaning plans, and check quality. This role also meets the skill and pay rules. - NHS Housekeeping (special cases)
Some NHS jobs in cleaning and housekeeping may still be sponsored, especially if they involve supervision or management. The NHS also has its own visa system with slightly lower salary rules, so it may be an option for people with healthcare cleaning experience.
Important: These are not entry-level jobs. You must have the right experience, and the job description must match the UK Home Office’s approved occupation codes.
The Visa Application Process: What to Expect
If you are lucky enough to find an eligible job and the employer has a valid Sponsor Licence, here are the steps:
- Job Offer and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
The employer gives you a CoS, which is a digital reference number. You cannot apply for the visa without it. - English Language Test
You must show you can speak and understand English. This is normally through a test approved by the UK government. - Financial Proof
You need to show you can support yourself in the UK. Sometimes the employer can cover your first month of costs, but if not, you need savings. - Visa Fees and NHS Surcharge
You must pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS allows you to use the UK’s National Health Service. - Biometrics and Documents
You go to a visa center to give fingerprints and a photo. You also upload documents like your passport, test results, and financial proof.
Only after this process can you get your visa.
The Importance of Due Diligence
Because of the new rules, some job ads online are misleading. They may promise “visa sponsorship for housekeeper jobs” when this is not possible. To protect yourself, always check:
- Employer Licence
See if the employer has a Sponsor Licence. You can check this on the official UK government website. - Job Code
Ask the employer for the job’s official occupation code. With this code, you can confirm if the role is eligible. - Transitional Protection
These rules only help people who already had a Skilled Worker visa before the new law started. If you are applying now, it will not help you.
Never pay money to agencies or employers who promise sponsorship for jobs that do not meet the rules.
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Can I get a visa-sponsored job as a housekeeper’s assistant in the UK?
No. From 2025, assistant and standard housekeeping jobs do not meet the skill or pay requirements for sponsorship.
Are there any other visa options for housekeeping?
Yes, but not through sponsorship. For example, the Youth Mobility Scheme lets young people from some countries live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. But this depends on your nationality and age, not your job.
Can a company sponsor me for a lower-paid job?
No. The Home Office is very strict. The job must meet the salary threshold and be on the eligible list. Low-paid roles like cleaning cannot be sponsored anymore.
Conclusion: A Realistic Approach to Your UK Career
The dream of moving to the UK as a housekeeper with visa sponsorship is now almost impossible. The rules are clear: jobs must be highly skilled and highly paid.
But this does not mean your UK dream is over. If you want to work in the UK, focus on building skills and experience for managerial roles. Jobs like hotel manager, hygiene services manager, or special NHS positions can still be sponsored.
It is important to stay realistic and plan your career step by step. Use this time to gain more training, improve your English, and move into higher-level roles that meet the UK rules.
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Author Bio
Shoaib Khan is an immigration advisor and career coach with over 10 years of experience. They help workers from around the world understand UK visa rules and make smart career choices.