Nanny Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship For Foreigners

Nanny Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship For Foreigners Seeking a Nanny Position in the UK? Navigating the Visa Sponsorship Landscape For foreign nationals aspiring to work as nannies in the United Kingdom, securing a position with visa sponsorship is a key hurdle. Several visa routes exist, each with specific eligibility criteria. While the path has become more complex, opportunities remain for qualified candidates. This guide outlines the primary visa options and provides insights into finding sponsored nanny roles.

Nanny Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship For Foreigners; Key Visa Routes for Nannies

Nanny Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship For Foreigners The most direct routes for nannies seeking to work in the UK are the Skilled Worker visa and the Overseas Domestic Worker visa. However, alternative options like the Youth Mobility Scheme and the UK Ancestry visa may be available to eligible individuals.

Skilled Worker Visa: Nanny Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship For Foreigners This long-term employment visa has seen recent changes affecting nannies. While some sources suggest the route is closed, government guidance indicates that “Nannies and au pairs” fall under occupation code 6116, which is listed as “Medium Skilled– extending in same occupation only”.1 This suggests that new applications under this specific code may not be possible.

Nanny Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship For Foreigners However, the occupation code ‘6114’ for ‘Childminders’, which includes roles like babysitter and mother’s help, is still listed as eligible for the Skilled Worker visa.2 3 4 To qualify under this route, applicants typically need:

A Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office-approved employer.
A minimum salary of £38,700 per year, though this can be lower for applicants under 26.5 6
Proof of English language proficiency at a B1 level.2 5
Sufficient funds to support themselves upon arrival in the UK.2 5

It is important to note that private households cannot typically act as sponsors, so this route is more common for positions within childcare companies or agencies.2

Overseas Domestic Worker Visa: This is a short-term option for domestic workers, including nannies, who are accompanying their employer to the UK.4 7 8

Nanny Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship For Foreigners Key requirements include:

Youth Mobility Scheme Visa: This visa allows young people from specific countries to live and work in the UK for up to two years (three years for citizens of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand).9 10 To be eligible, applicants must:

Be between 18 and 30 or 35, depending on their nationality.9 11
Be a citizen of a participating country, which includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, and others.9 12
Have at least £2,530 in savings.11 This visa does not require a job offer, and individuals can work as nannies.

UK Ancestry Visa: This visa is available to Commonwealth citizens who have a grandparent born in the UK.13 14 It allows the holder to live and work in the UK for five years and can lead to settlement.13 15 Applicants must:

Be a Commonwealth citizen aged 17 or over.
Prove that one of their grandparents was born in the UK.
Intend to work in the UK.
Be able to support themselves and any dependents.

Finding Nanny Jobs with Visa Sponsorship

Nanny Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship For Foreigners Several online platforms and recruitment agencies specialize in placing nannies in the UK, with some advertising positions that include visa sponsorship. Job boards like Jooble and Unskilled Jobs sometimes list nanny roles with visa sponsorship.16 Additionally, specialized nanny agencies such as Little Ones London are known to recruit international nannies.17

When searching for positions, it is advisable to use specific keywords like “nanny jobs UK visa sponsorship” and to carefully review the job descriptions for details on the type of visa being offered. Be aware that many advertised “visa sponsorship” jobs may be targeting candidates who are already in the UK and eligible to switch visas, or those who qualify for the Youth Mobility or Ancestry visas.

Given the complexities of UK immigration law, it is highly recommended to seek advice from a qualified immigration lawyer or advisor to determine the most suitable visa route for your individual circumstances.

Navigating the Path to a Nanny Job in the UK with Visa Sponsorship

For foreigners aspiring to work as a nanny in the United Kingdom, securing a position with visa sponsorship has become an increasingly complex journey. Recent changes to UK immigration rules have significantly narrowed the pathways for long-term sponsorship, particularly for roles within private households. However, opportunities still exist through various visa routes, each with distinct requirements and limitations.

Visa and Sponsorship Requirements

Understanding the correct visa pathway is the first and most critical step. The feasibility of obtaining sponsorship largely depends on the applicant’s nationality, age, and the nature of the employing entity.

The Skilled Worker Visa: A Narrowing Path

The Skilled Worker visa is a long-term employment route that can lead to settlement in the UK. However, significant changes in 2024 have made this route nearly inaccessible for nannies seeking employment with a private family.

Sponsorship by Private Households Prohibited: As of late 2024, the UK Home Office explicitly prohibits sponsoring workers who will be employed in a “personal capacity,” such as a nanny within a private home.1 2 3 Private households cannot obtain a sponsor licence to hire a nanny directly.2 4
“Nanny” Occupation Code Removed: In April 2024, the occupation code for “nannies” was removed from the list of roles eligible for new Skilled Worker sponsorship.2 5
Potential Route via Agencies: A possible, though complex, alternative is to be sponsored by a childcare or nanny agency that holds a Home Office sponsor licence. In this scenario, the nanny is employed by the agency and placed with families. This may bypass the “personal capacity” rule.5
Childminder Occupation Code: The role of ‘Childminder’ (occupation code 6114) remains on the eligible list. To qualify under this, an applicant would need:
- A Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office-approved employer (e.g., a nursery or licensed agency).
- A minimum salary of £38,700 per year or the “going rate” for the job, whichever is higher. This can be reduced to £30,960 for applicants under 26.
- Proof of English language proficiency.
- Sufficient personal savings to support themselves upon arrival.

Alternative Visa Routes for Nannies

Given the restrictions on the Skilled Worker visa, many aspiring nannies must look to other visa categories that do not require direct employer sponsorship for a nanny role.

Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) Visa: This is a popular two-year visa for young people who want to live and work in the UK.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be aged 18-30 or 18-35 (depending on nationality) and be from a participating country (e.g., Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea).11 The UK government is also reportedly considering expanding this scheme to include more EU countries.9
- Requirements: No job offer is needed, but applicants must have at least £2,530 in savings.
- Freedom to Work: This visa allows individuals to work in most jobs, including as a nanny.
UK Ancestry Visa: This five-year visa is an excellent option for those with British heritage.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be a Commonwealth citizen with a grandparent who was born in the UK.
- Benefits: It allows the holder to work in any job, including as a nanny, and can be extended and lead to permanent settlement.
Overseas Domestic Worker Visa: This is a strictly temporary and limited option.
- Purpose: It is designed for domestic staff, including nannies, to accompany their existing employer on a visit to the UK.
- Requirements: The nanny must have worked for the employer for at least a year outside the UK, and the employer must be visiting the UK for no more than six months.
- Limitations: The visa is valid for a maximum of six months, cannot be extended, and does not lead to settlement. It is not possible to switch from this visa to a Skilled Worker visa from within the UK.

Benefits of a Sponsored Nanny Job

The benefits package for a nanny in the UK can be attractive, particularly for live-in positions where major expenses are covered.

Salary: Salaries vary by location, experience, and duties. In London, a live-in nanny can expect to earn between £35,000 and £52,000 gross per year, with highly experienced or rota nannies earning upwards of £60,000.14 15
Accommodation and Meals: For live-in roles, the primary benefit is the provision of a private bedroom and, often, a private bathroom. All meals and household utilities are also typically covered by the employer.14
Paid Holidays: Nannies are legally entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks of paid holiday per year (pro-rata for part-time). This statutory entitlement includes public holidays.15
Sick Pay: Employers are required to provide Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
Pension: Employers must automatically enrol their nanny into a workplace pension scheme if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Additional Perks: Many families offer additional benefits to attract and retain a good nanny, which can include:
- An annual bonus, often equivalent to one or two weeks’ pay.
- Use of a car for work and sometimes personal use.
- Reimbursement for mileage if using a personal car for work duties.
- Contributions towards a mobile phone bill.
- Opportunities to travel with the family on holidays, with all expenses paid.

How To Apply

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Conclusion

Securing a sponsored nanny job in the UK as a foreigner has become significantly more challenging. The traditional route of a private family sponsoring a long-term nanny via the Skilled Worker visa is now effectively closed. The most viable pathways for new applicants from overseas are now through personal eligibility for non-sponsorship routes like the Youth Mobility Scheme or a UK Ancestry visa.

The alternative, being sponsored by a licensed agency under the ‘Childminder’ category, remains a theoretical possibility but comes with a high salary threshold and depends on agencies being willing and able to sponsor. For those already employed by a family overseas, the Overseas Domestic Worker visa offers a temporary, short-term solution only. Aspiring nannies must therefore carefully assess their individual eligibility for the available visa routes before starting their job search.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can a private family in the UK sponsor me for a Skilled Worker visa as a nanny? No. As of late 2024, UK immigration rules prohibit private households from holding a sponsor licence to hire individuals in a personal capacity, which includes nannies.

2. What is the minimum salary I need to earn for a Skilled Worker visa as a childminder? The general minimum salary threshold is £38,700 per year or the specific going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. This can be lowered to £30,960 for “new entrants,” such as those under the age of 26.

3. I am from Australia and I am 28. Can I work as a nanny in the UK? Yes, your most straightforward option would be the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) visa. It allows individuals from eligible countries, including Australia, aged 18-35 to live and work in the UK for up to three years. You do not need a job offer to apply.

4. Can I come to the UK on a visitor visa and then find a nanny job and switch to a work visa? No, this is not permitted. You cannot work on a visitor visa, and it is not possible to switch from a visitor visa to a work visa from within the UK. You must apply for the correct work or mobility visa from your home country.

5. What is the difference between a live-in and a live-out nanny? A live-in nanny resides in the employer’s home and is provided with accommodation and meals as part of their compensation package. A live-out nanny travels to the family’s home for their work shifts and lives independently.

6. Are au pair visas still available in the UK? The UK does not have a specific “au pair visa.” Since Brexit, EU citizens can no longer easily come to the UK as au pairs. Individuals who wish to be an au pair must qualify under other routes, such as the Youth Mobility Scheme or UK Ancestry visa.