Big News for Skilled Welders
Great news for welding professionals! The UK government has added welding jobs (SOC code 5213) to its Temporary Shortage List (TSL), effective 22 July 2025. This gives experienced welders—whether you have no formal degree or not—a real chance to work in the UK under the Skilled Worker visa route.
Why This Is a Great Opportunity
No university degree required — your on-the-job welding skills matter more.
Visa sponsorship available — UK employers can hire and sponsor skilled welders.
Time-limited window — welding trades sit on the interim Temporary Shortage List, which the Home Office is actively reviewing (MAC TSL Stage 1 and Stage 2 reports published in 2026), so confirm the current list before applying.
Important Conditions & Requirements
Salary must meet the TSL occupation rate for welders (SOC 5213):
1. TSL rate for welding trades: £34,900 per year (£17.90/hour on a 37.5-hour week, pro-rated for other hours) — the Temporary Shortage List sets its own occupation rates, so the £41,700 general Skilled Worker threshold does not apply to welders on the TSL (gov.uk “Skilled Worker visa: temporary shortage list”, published 22 July 2025).
2. Salary discounts: new-entrant and PhD salary discounts can apply to TSL occupations — see gov.uk “When you can be paid less”.
No family allowed for new applicants — those entering under TSL cannot bring dependents.
Step by Step Guide to Apply
1. Find UK employer offering welding roles with sponsorship.
2. Apply and secure a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
3. Provide documents: CoS, English test results, and proof of finances (£1,270 held for 28 days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS).
4. Submit your Skilled Worker visa application before the deadline.
Jobs You Can Apply For Now
Here are job-search listings where some employers mention visa sponsorship (listings change frequently — always confirm the employer holds a Skilled Worker sponsor licence):
Connexus International Ltd – MIG/GMAW Welder Jobs (Northern Ireland)
International welding role; salary approx. £36,000–£60,000/year. Visa sponsorship available.
Indeed – Welder Jobs with Visa Sponsorship (UK-wide)
Browse hundreds of welder vacancies across the UK featuring sponsorship options.
(Use search term: “visa sponsorship welder jobs UK”)
Totaljobs – Visa Sponsorship Welder Roles in London
A collection of welding job listings in London that mention sponsorship.
Jooble – Sponsorship Welder Jobs (Various Locations)
UK-wide job search listing sponsorship-enabled welding roles.
(These platforms frequently update listings—check them regularly.
The UK urgently needs skilled welders. If you’re mobile, experienced, and energetic, you could move abroad without needing a degree—but don’t delay — the Temporary Shortage List is interim and under review, so check the current gov.uk list before relying on this route.
UK adding welders to Temporary Shortage List. No degree required, visa sponsorship available until Dec 2026. Explore MIG/GMAW roles and job links now.
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