In the UK, cleaning jobs remain in demand across a variety of sectors — from hotels and hospitals to offices and care homes. For international workers, some of these roles may come with visa sponsorship, offering a legitimate pathway to work in the UK.
However, visa rules are strict, and not all cleaning roles qualify for sponsorship. This guide explains the current landscape (as of 2025), what kinds of cleaning jobs may be eligible, typical visa routes, application steps, and important caveats.
Overview of Cleaning Jobs in the UK With Visa Sponsorship
Cleaning roles in the UK are diverse. They include:
- Domestic cleaning (private homes)
- Commercial cleaning (offices, retail)
- Hospital and healthcare facility cleaning
- Hotel housekeeping
- Care home cleaning and maintenance
Some UK employers — especially larger service companies, facility management firms, or care providers — do have licenses to sponsor foreign workers. However, whether a cleaning job comes with visa sponsorship depends heavily on:
- The employer’s sponsor license — only licensed employers can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
- Whether the specific role falls under visa-eligible occupation codes under UK immigration rules. G
- The salary paid — roles must meet or exceed certain pay thresholds for some visa types.
Thus, while cleaning jobs with visa sponsorship are possible, they are not guaranteed and require careful research.
Why There’s Demand for Foreign Cleaners in the UK
Several factors drive demand for cleaners who may need visa sponsorship:
- Staffing Shortages: Many sectors — particularly healthcare (hospitals, care homes) and hospitality — are struggling to recruit enough staff, and may look to overseas workers if local labour is insufficient.
- High Turnover: Cleaning jobs often have high turnover rates. Employing workers from abroad can help companies fill consistent gaps.
- Flexibility Needs: Cleaning work often involves part-time, shift, or weekend roles. Employers with sponsor licences may particularly fill roles they find hard to staff locally.
- Cost Pressures: Outsourcing to facilities management firms (many of which operate across the UK) allows employers to scale their workforce. Some of these firms already have systems in place for visa sponsorship.
Types of Cleaning Jobs in the UK That May Offer Visa Sponsorship
Here are some of the common cleaning roles in the UK that might come with visa sponsorship, depending on the employer:
- Hospital / Healthcare Cleaners: Cleaning, sanitizing, and maintaining hygiene in hospital wards or care homes.
- Hotel Housekeepers: Making beds, cleaning guest rooms, public areas, and sometimes laundry.
- Commercial Building Cleaners: Office buildings, corporate spaces, or public facilities.
- School / University Cleaners: Cleaning classrooms, corridors, communal areas, and washrooms.
- Industrial Cleaners: In warehouses, factories, or large industrial sites, doing heavy-duty cleaning, machine cleaning, or facility maintenance.
Visa Options for Cleaning Jobs in the UK
Getting a UK visa for a cleaning job is more complicated now — not all cleaning roles qualify for visa sponsorship under UK immigration rules. Here are some potential visa routes and caveats:
Skilled Worker Visa
- This is the most common route for jobs with CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) from a licensed UK employer.
- However, the job must typically be “skilled” to a certain level under UK rules. According to recent policy changes, many low-skilled cleaning roles are no longer eligible because they don’t meet the new required “skill level” or salary threshold.
- The minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa is typically £25,600 per year, or the “going rate” for the occupation — whichever is higher.
- The employer must issue you a valid CoS before applying.
- You may need to prove your English language ability and show funds for your initial stay (unless exempt).
Health and Care Worker Visa
- This visa is more specific to care roles (not just cleaning), but historically, some cleaning/housekeeping in care homes could have been tied to care worker roles. However, recent White Paper reforms indicate that many care roles now require a degree-level qualification, which excludes many cleaning or support roles.
- It’s very important to check whether the specific job is classified under a “care worker” SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code that matches visa eligibility.
Temporary Worker Visas / Other Routes
- Some charitable or non-profit organizations (religious institutions, NGOs) may be able to sponsor workers for very limited, short-term “Temporary Work” visas — but these are not common for general cleaning roles.
- Students with a valid Student Visa may work part-time (up to 20 hours/week during term) and do cleaning roles — but this does not count as visa sponsorship.
- Family visas (if eligible) may also allow work, but again, that is not the same as employer sponsorship.
Requirements for Getting a Cleaning Job in the UK With Visa Sponsorship
To be successful in getting a cleaning job in the UK with visa sponsorship, you need more than just “willing to clean.” Here’s what employers and UKVI will often expect:
- Valid Passport & Nationality: You must be from a country that requires a visa to work in the UK.
- Job Offer from Licensed Sponsor: The employer must be approved by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) to sponsor workers. They must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
- Appropriate Role: The job must match a visa-eligible occupation code (or be able to meet “skilled worker” requirements).
- Salary Criteria: The role’s pay must meet the visa route requirements (e.g., minimum salary or “going rate”).
- English Proficiency: You may need to prove knowledge of English (via a test or acceptable exemption).
- Proof of Maintenance Funds: Unless exempt, you may need to show you have enough money to support yourself on arrival (bank statements).
- Medical Requirements: In some cases (depending on the origin country), a TB test certificate may be required.
- Background / References: Previous cleaning, housekeeping, or related work experience is often desirable. Employers may ask for references.
Typical Salary & Working Conditions for Cleaning Jobs
Understanding pay and work conditions helps you assess whether a visa-sponsored cleaning role is viable:
- According to job listings, cleaners in the UK may earn around £12.25–£15.35 per hour for some roles. Indeed
- Some roles listed under visa sponsorship offer pay from £10 to £20 per hour, depending on the company and the job type (commercial, industrial, etc.).
- Work may be full-time or part-time, with flexible hours and shift work common — especially in hotel, hospital, or commercial cleaning. Indeed+1
- Benefits may vary: for example, some contracts may be permanent, while others are temporary.
How to Apply for Cleaning Jobs in the UK With Visa Sponsorship
If you want to apply for cleaning jobs in the UK that might sponsor your visa, here’s a step-by-step roadmap:
- Identify Potential Employers
- Focus on large cleaning / facilities management firms (Mitie Group, ISS UK, OCS Group) which may have sponsor licences.
- Check hospitals, care homes, and hotels — particularly big chains or NHS trusts.
- Use UK government resources to find licensed sponsors, or job platforms that filter for “visa sponsorship.”
- Search on Reputable Job Boards
- Use Indeed UK, LinkedIn, or other vetted UK job boards, and use terms like “visa sponsorship cleaner,” or “Skilled Worker visa cleaning job.”
- Visit company career pages — many large service companies post on their own websites.
- Tailor Your Application Materials
- Prepare a CV that highlights any cleaning, housekeeping, or facility work experience.
- If you’ve worked in hospitality, healthcare, or industrial cleaning, emphasize that.
- Write a cover letter stating your interest, your willingness to relocate, and that you require visa sponsorship — but focus more on what you bring (experience, reliability, work ethic).
- Get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- When an employer offers you a position, they must issue a CoS. Without it, you cannot apply for a Skilled Worker visa.
- Confirm the CoS is valid, and make sure the role is correctly classified under the appropriate occupation code.
- Apply for the Visa
- Apply online for the Skilled Worker visa within 3 months of the CoS being issued.
- Pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
- Provide all required documentation: passport, CoS reference, English test results (if needed), proof of maintenance funds, etc.
- Attend a visa application center appointment or use the UK Immigration ID check app, as required.
- After Visa Approval
- Once you get the visa, you can travel to the UK and start working for your sponsor.
- Be sure to understand the terms of your visa (duration, ability to switch, dependents, etc.).
FAQs
Is it easy to find a cleaning job in the UK that sponsors visas?
Not particularly easy. While cleaning roles do exist, many are low-skilled and may no longer be eligible under recent Skilled Worker visa restrictions. You need to target licensed sponsors and roles that meet the visa requirements.
Do I need a university degree to get a visa for cleaning work?
No. Many cleaning roles do not require a degree. But eligibility for a visa depends more on the visa route, the employer, and whether the role qualifies under immigration rules.
Can I work part-time in cleaning and still get visa sponsorship?
It’s unlikely. For most visa-sponsored roles, especially under the Skilled Worker visa, the job offered by the sponsor typically needs to be full-time or meet a minimum working hours / salary threshold.
How much can I earn as a cleaner in the UK with visa sponsorship?
Based on job listings, pay may range somewhere around £12–£15 per hour for certain roles. But the exact pay depends on the employer, location, and type of cleaning job.
Active UK Cleaning Jobs with Visa Sponsorship Potential
Indeed — Skilled Worker Visa Cleaning Jobs
Indeed — Cleaning Jobs With Visa Sponsorship
- Some “Cleaner” roles show “UK visa sponsorship” in their description. Indeed
- Example: ENZOERIN Limited (Absolute Shine) — Cleaner, Isle of Man, £12.25–£14.00/hour, with visa sponsorship noted. Indeed
- Note: Isle of Man is technically a separate jurisdiction, not part of Great Britain, so check carefully if that’s acceptable for your visa plans.
Blogs / Guides on Cleaning Jobs + Sponsorship
- According to a guide, many hospital-based cleaning roles may be eligible for visa sponsorship, especially when associated with “health and care” type visas.
- Large facilities management companies that handle hospitals, airports, or offices sometimes maintain sponsor licences for such roles.
- Another guide lists Mitie, OCS Group, Compass Group, and NHS hospitals as among companies that may offer sponsorship for hard-to-fill cleaning roles.
Sponsorship and Licensing Requirements
- According to UK rules, a business must hold a valid Worker Sponsor License to sponsor someone on a Skilled Worker visa.
- The job offered must meet the required “skill level” and salary threshold to be eligible for visa sponsorship.
- According to the GOV.UK guidance states that cleaners sponsored under the Skilled Worker route must have a role that matches visa-eligible criteria and pay a minimum rate.
Risks, Challenges & Important Warnings
- Not All Cleaning Jobs Qualify: Many cleaning roles are considered “low-skill” under UK immigration policy, so not all are eligible for Skilled Worker visas.
- Sponsor Licence Issues: Some care agencies or cleaning firms may have a sponsor licence but have poor track records. There are reports of “suspect” care providers being granted Home Office sponsorship licences.
- Changing Visa Rules: UK visa regulations change. Salary thresholds for visa sponsorship have been rising, making some roles less likely to qualify.
- Exploitative Practices: There are documented cases where migrant workers on visa-sponsored cleaning or care roles faced exploitation.
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