The demand for senior finance and compliance professionals in the UK has reached an all-time high, and this surge is pushing employers to offer £120,000–£250,000 salary bands, international recruitment support, premium benefits, and full visa sponsorship for qualified specialists.
From investment banking jobs UK to UK regulatory compliance officer positions in the UK regulated banking sector, companies with Home Office licences are widening their hiring pipelines due to persistent labour shortages.
This shift is creating practical opportunities for professionals who want to apply for UK skilled worker visa finance jobs with visa sponsorship while securing roles in high-value areas such as portfolio management jobs UK, corporate finance UK, global financial compliance, and wealth management roles UK.
Skilled analysts, auditors, risk specialists, tax professionals, and digital banking experts are benefiting from this market gap as employers compete for talent.
Across 2025–2026, more than 38,000 finance, banking, and compliance roles are projected to remain open due to skills shortages reported by the FCA and ONS. This talent gap helps foreign candidates who want to secure £120k+ investment banking jobs visa sponsorship 2025, review eligibility criteria, and pursue roles aligned with their experience.
Financial institutions, investment houses, fintech firms, and advisory companies continue to post vacancies that match UK Skilled Worker Visa eligibility, and many of these organisations appear on the official Home Office sponsor licence employers list. Because the real-world salary for mid-senior finance professionals is significantly above the UK skilled worker visa salary 2025 threshold, qualified candidates can begin planning their application timelines without salary concerns.
This article begins with the highest-paying sponsored roles, followed by visa qualification insights, sector-specific hiring trends, and employer lists, and then concludes with a step-by-step strategy for landing these roles.
Which Finance and Compliance Roles Offer £120,000+ Salaries with Visa Sponsorship in 2025–2026?
The UK continues to offer some of the most competitive pay packages in global finance, especially across banking, investment, advisory, risk, and compliance. Candidates with strong technical depth in financial modelling, cross-border finance, regulatory reporting, or anti-financial crime can align their expertise with roles that frequently advertise £120k finance jobs with sponsorship.
Below is a detailed view of the top-tier sponsored roles in 2025–2026. These positions routinely attract international candidates who want to find finance analyst roles UK skilled worker visa high CPC, discover high salary finance compliance jobs UK £120k sponsored, or pursue global mobility opportunities within financial services.
Top 15 High-Salary Sponsored Finance & Compliance Roles (Table)
| Role | Typical Salary Range | Common Employers |
| Senior Investment Banker | £150k–£250k + bonus | Tier-1 banks, hedge funds |
| Compliance Director | £140k–£220k | Global banks, fintechs |
| Senior Risk Manager | £120k–£190k | Insurance groups, investment banks |
| Corporate Finance Manager | £120k–£170k | Advisory firms, Big 4 |
| Equity Research Lead | £120k–£180k | Investment firms |
| AML Senior Specialist | £120k–£160k | Regulated banks |
| Quantitative Analyst | £130k–£210k | Trading houses, asset managers |
| Head of Financial Reporting | £120k–£165k | Audit and advisory |
| Portfolio Manager | £140k–£250k | Wealth firms, hedge funds |
| Treasury Manager | £120k–£165k | Multinationals |
| Regulatory Policy Lead | £125k–£180k | FCA-aligned organisations |
| Senior Audit Manager | £120k–£160k | Big 4 audit practices |
| Capital Markets Compliance Lead | £140k–£200k | Global banks |
| Forensic Accountant (Senior) | £120k–£160k | Advisory and investigations |
| ESG Finance Lead | £120k–£180k | Investment and corporate ESG teams |
Candidates targeting these pathways also tend to search for opportunities to pursue corporate finance manager positions UK visa 2025, or apply for CFO executive roles UK visa sponsored if their leadership background fits senior-level hiring requirements.
In addition to high pay, employers in these categories actively offer certificate of sponsorship UK finance to fast-track job relocation.
How to Check If You Qualify for UK Skilled Worker Visa Finance Jobs Right Now
Before assessing job opportunities, candidates must understand the eligibility thresholds defining the UK Skilled Worker Visa pathway. Fortunately, finance and compliance roles typically exceed salary minimums, and most employers advertising roles above £120k are already Home Office sponsor licence employers.
Points-Based System for Finance Professionals
The UK Skilled Worker route evaluates workers using a points-based structure. Finance professionals benefit from this framework because they often meet several mandatory criteria through their qualifications and work history.
Key requirements include:
- A confirmed job offer from a licensed employer
- A role aligned with an approved SOC code
- English language proficiency
- A salary that satisfies the skilled worker minimum or the occupation-specific rate
- Sufficient funds to support relocation (unless covered by the employer)
Roles such as financial analyst visa sponsorship, financial risk management specialist, UK regulatory compliance officer, and financial reporting systems UK positions frequently meet SOC rules without complications.
Professionals who want to apply for UK skilled worker visa or start reviewing whether they qualify for UK skilled worker visa finance jobs can examine their experience against:
- Degree or professional certification (ACCA, CFA, CIMA, ICAEW)
- Years of experience in regulated environments
- Ability to pass financial crime, AML, or credit checks
- Salary expectation alignment with employer standards
Certain applicants also consult legal advisors through UK immigration lawyer consultation channels when they need clarification about documentation.
This stage is crucial for candidates aiming to browse UK financial analyst opportunities skilled worker visa, apply to AML compliance officer roles UK visa sponsored, or move into regulatory compliance finance UK jobs.
Top Sectors Seeking Sponsored Talent in 2025
Demand for specialist finance and compliance talent has increased across multiple high-value sectors. Employers within these categories continue to hire international professionals due to local shortages in advanced quantitative skills, regulatory knowledge, and governance expertise.
Professionals evaluating these sectors often intend to find fintech compliance jobs UK sponsorship 2025, secure compliance monitoring roles UK sponsorship high CPC, or land tax advisor jobs UK £120k with sponsorship.
1. Investment Banking & Markets
Institutions continue to seek senior talent for roles such as:
- investment banking jobs UK
- UK capital markets compliance visa
- derivatives trading jobs visa 2025
- quantitative analyst finance visa UK
These roles often exceed £150k and include equity-linked bonuses. Banks need specialists who understand cross-border structures, international transactions, and market supervision.
2. Fintech & Digital Banking
Growth in digital finance boosts openings for:
- digital banking jobs UK
- fintech career opportunities UK
- payment processing specialist UK
- cross-border payments solutions
Firms in this space rely on global talent for system scaling, fraud risk management, and digital transformation of banking services.
3. Regulatory Compliance & AML
The sharp increase in global reporting standards supports hiring for:
- anti-money-laundering analyst UK
- investment compliance officer sponsorship
- UK financial crime compliance visa
- compliance automation tools
- fraud detection and identity verification
Experienced professionals in these roles often benefit from higher sponsorship approval rates due to industry shortages.
4. Risk Management & Quantitative Analysis
Employers in insurance, banking, and wealth sectors actively recruit for:
- financial risk analyst UK visa 2025
- corporate risk solutions
- financial derivatives specialist sponsorship
- professional indemnity insurance UK
- employer liability insurance UK
Many companies provide relocation support and long-term contracts for stability.
5. Private Equity, Hedge Funds & Wealth Management
This sector continues to hire for:
- UK hedge fund jobs high salary visa
- UK private equity jobs high salary visa
- wealth management advisor visa sponsorship
- portfolio manager roles high salary sponsored
Large firms provide exceptional earnings through performance bonuses and long-term incentives.
6. Big 4 Audit & Advisory
Global advisory firms maintain demand for:
- UK audit and compliance roles
- audit compliance jobs high CPC UK visa
- forensic accountant positions visa UK
- financial audit manager sponsored
These firms frequently hire professionals who want to apply for forensic accountant careers UK visa sponsored or sign up for mergers and acquisitions finance positions UK visa.
Real Companies Currently Holding Active Sponsor Licences for £120k+ Finance Roles
Professionals often strengthen their search by targeting employers known for sponsoring high-salary positions. The UK maintains a public list of organisations authorised to hire international workers, and many top-tier institutions in finance continue to appear on this list.
These companies routinely advertise roles such as corporate lawyer finance visa jobs, compliance officer roles UK high salary visa, and financial controller positions visa sponsored.
Examples of Licensed Employers in Finance & Compliance
- JPMorgan
- Goldman Sachs
- HSBC
- Deloitte
- KPMG
- PwC
- BlackRock
- Barclays
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Morgan Stanley
- Revolut
- Monzo
- EY
- Visa Europe
- Standard Chartered
- NatWest Group
- Bupa Finance
- Grant Thornton
- BDO UK
- Schroders
- Bain & Company
- Boston Consulting Group
- Bloomberg
- UK sovereign wealth fund–aligned entities
Professionals who want to explore financial controller jobs UK visa sponsored 2025, get hired in risk management finance roles UK high salary visa, or apply to private equity finance jobs UK high salary visa can prioritise these employers first.
Step-by-Step: How to Land These £120,000+ Sponsored Positions in 2025–2026
High-paying UK finance and compliance roles require a structured approach. Most international applicants succeed when they follow a clear application pathway that aligns professional credentials with employer expectations. Candidates targeting UK skilled worker visa finance jobs, financial analyst jobs UK skilled worker visa, or investment banking jobs visa sponsorship 2025 can use the following roadmap to improve their hiring outcomes.
1. Assess Your Points and Eligibility
Begin by reviewing whether your professional background meets the UK Skilled Worker Visa eligibility rules. This includes:
- A role aligned with an approved SOC code
- A confirmed job offer from a Home Office sponsor licence employer
- English language qualification
- Salary meeting the UK skilled worker visa salary 2025 threshold
- Adequate professional experience for regulated roles
Finance applicants often meet these thresholds naturally due to advanced qualifications (CFA, ACCA, ICAEW), international reporting experience, or exposure to regulated industries.
Candidates preparing for long-term opportunities often discover financial planning careers UK £120k visa sponsorship or find financial risk analyst jobs UK visa 2025 sponsored during this phase.
2. Tailor a CV for UK Financial Services
The UK financial sector expects concise CVs that highlight regulatory experience, analytical frameworks, and technical competencies. Include measurable outcomes such as:
- Transaction values
- Compliance oversight responsibilities
- Portfolio sizes
- Risk control improvements
- Forecasting accuracy
A well-structured CV boosts your chances of being shortlisted for roles like UK financial operations manager visa, corporate finance UK, wealth management roles UK, or financial derivatives specialist sponsorship.
3. Target Licensed Employers Actively Hiring Abroad
Not all employers sponsor visas. The most efficient strategy is to narrow your search to organisations already supporting international recruitment.
This includes companies hiring for:
- regulatory compliance finance UK jobs
- corporate governance UK roles
- UK actuarial finance positions visa
- UK venture capital jobs high CPC visa
- UK financial audit manager sponsored
Qualified professionals often sign up for UK finance recruiter services with visa sponsorship to speed up job discovery, especially when searching for mid-senior roles.
4. Strengthen Documentation Before Interviews
For roles related to compliance, tax advisory, corporate finance, or quantitative risk, employers may require:
- Proof of credentials
- Documentation of past regulated responsibilities
- AML or KYC training certificates
- Portfolio analysis samples
- Technical model summaries
This stage is critical for individuals preparing to apply to portfolio manager finance jobs UK high salary visa or get matched with corporate lawyer finance jobs UK sponsored.
5. Complete Employer Interviews and Technical Assessments
Mid-senior finance roles often involve:
- Case studies
- Financial modelling tasks
- Market analysis reviews
- AML scenario testing
- Regulatory oversight simulations
Roles such as quantitative analyst finance visa UK, anti-money-laundering analyst UK, and financial reporting systems UK emphasize precision, accuracy, and sector familiarity.
Candidates with strong analytical logic tend to excel in investment, risk, audit, and compliance interviews.
6. Certificate of Sponsorship Issuance
Once the employer selects a candidate, they assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This document is required to move forward with the visa application. High-demand fields, including global financial compliance, UK immigration lawyer consultation, and enterprise risk management tools, routinely issue sponsorship due to sector shortages.
Professionals ready to move ahead often apply now for compliance officer positions UK £100k+ sponsorship or initiate their application for risk management jobs UK £100k+ sponsorship at this stage.
7. Visa Application and Biometric Process
Candidates submit:
- Passport
- Certificate of Sponsorship
- Financial documents
- English language proof
Visa processing times vary but are often faster for finance and compliance roles due to employer priority pathways.
Candidates targeting high-income finance jobs UK, UK visa sponsorship finance roles, or UK regulated banking sector roles typically complete this stage without delays.
8. Relocation and Onboarding
Many employers provide:
- Relocation allowances
- Temporary accommodation
- Tax briefings
- Settling-in services
- Cultural training for regulated environments
This support helps candidates begin roles such as financial planning jobs £120k visa UK, UK sovereign wealth fund jobs sponsored, or investment compliance officer sponsorship with confidence.
Salary Benchmarks – What You Can Expect to Earn in 2025
Compensation in the UK financial sector varies by position, but most mid-senior roles exceed the Skilled Worker minimum rate. Below is a breakdown of realistic salary expectations across commonly sponsored roles.
Benchmark Salary Table for 2025
| Role | Average Salary | Top 10% Earnings | With London Weighting |
| Senior Investment Banker | £160k | £250k+ | £300k+ |
| Risk Manager (Senior) | £130k | £190k | £210k |
| Compliance Director | £150k | £220k | £240k |
| Corporate Finance Manager | £125k | £170k | £190k |
| Portfolio Manager | £160k | £260k | £300k+ |
| Treasury Manager | £125k | £165k | £185k |
| Forensic Accountant (Senior) | £120k | £160k | £175k |
| Audit Manager (Senior) | £120k | £160k | £180k |
| ESG Finance Lead | £125k | £180k | £195k |
These salary ranges reflect consistent trends across:
- banking and payments,
- insurance and risk,
- corporate finance UK,
- accounting software for enterprises,
- financial planning for expatriates,
- business investment solutions,
- enterprise HR software,
- global payroll compliance UK.
Professionals aiming to secure wealth management advisor positions UK high salary visa or browse capital markets compliance roles UK visa sponsored can use these salary benchmarks to negotiate effectively.
Common Mistakes That Make Candidates Lose £120k+ Offers (And How to Avoid Them)
Even highly qualified professionals may lose opportunities due to preventable issues. The following pitfalls should be avoided:
1. Misaligned SOC Codes
Using an incorrect SOC code delays sponsorship approval. For roles such as financial analyst visa sponsorship, compliance audit finance £120k UK, or tax advisor roles sponsorship £120k, accuracy is essential.
2. Underestimating Documentation Requirements
Failure to prepare evidence for:
- AML responsibilities
- Compliance oversight
- Audit outcomes
- Financial modelling results
can weaken your position for premium finance roles.
3. Salary Undercutting
Some candidates accept salaries below market rate, reducing visa approval strength. High-level roles in UK pension advisory services, corporate governance UK, and enterprise risk management tools have clearly established benchmarks.
4. Ignoring Maintenance Funds
Even when employers cover relocation costs, personal maintenance documentation may still be required.
5. Incomplete CV Formatting
A CV that lacks clarity in technical experience may cause hiring managers to overlook applicants for equity research analyst visa sponsored, UK mergers acquisitions jobs sponsored, or financial modeling jobs sponsorship £100k.
Application Journey Today – 90-Day Action Plan
Professionals who follow a structured timeline increase their chances of securing offers in under three months. Below is a practical plan to support your first 90 days.
Week 1–4: Preparation
- Review eligibility paths
- Update CV
- Validate certifications
- Identify 20 licensed employers
- Browse UK financial analyst opportunities skilled worker visa
- Find fintech compliance jobs UK sponsorship 2025
Week 5–8: Target Applications
- Submit tailored applications
- Register on employer portals
- Request screening calls
- Apply to private equity finance jobs UK high salary visa
- Explore equity research analyst positions UK visa sponsored
Week 9–12: Final Steps
- Attend interviews
- Prepare regulatory scenarios
- Complete background checks
- Receive sponsorship confirmation
- Discover treasury manager opportunities UK skilled worker visa
- Secure financial services regulator positions UK visa sponsored
Following this timeline helps create momentum and positions you well for senior finance hiring cycles.
Conclusion
The UK continues to expand its international recruitment efforts for senior finance and compliance roles. The combination of high salaries, clear visa pathways, and employer-sponsored benefits provides strong incentives for professionals looking to advance their careers abroad.
If you’re ready to begin, review your eligibility, update your CV, target licensed employers, and start applying for high-value roles across the UK’s financial ecosystem. This is the best period to start your career in UK banking jobs with visa sponsored, apply now for compliance officer positions UK £100k+ sponsorship, or secure £120k+ investment banking jobs visa sponsorship 2025.
You may now proceed with your job search and begin evaluating the latest vacancies that match your experience and salary expectations.