Duty Manager Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship Finding “Duty Manager” jobs with visa sponsorship in the UK has become significantly more complex due to immigration rule changes introduced in April 2024 and further updates in 2025.
The reality is split between two sectors: Care (high chance of sponsorship) and Hospitality (low chance due to new salary rules).
1. The “Hard Truth”: New Salary Thresholds
To get a Skilled Worker Visa, your job offer must meet a minimum salary.12 This is the biggest barrier for Duty Managers.
- For Hotel/Retail Jobs: The minimum salary for sponsorship is now generally £38,700 per year (rising to over £41,700 for new applicants in mid-2025).3
- Problem: Most Hotel Duty Manager roles pay £28,000–£35,000, meaning they cannot sponsor you unless you qualify as a “New Entrant” (see below).
- For Care Home Jobs: These fall under the Health and Care Worker Visa, which has a much lower salary threshold (approx. £23,200 – £29,000 depending on the role).
- Result: Care homes are the most realistic option for securing sponsorship in a management role.
2. The “New Entrant” Exception (Crucial for Hotel Applicants)
If you are applying for a hotel duty manager role that pays less than £38,700, you can only get sponsored if you qualify as a “New Entrant.” You are a New Entrant if:
- You are under 26 years old on the date you apply.
- You are a recent graduate from a UK university (Student Visa switcher).
- You are working towards a recognized professional qualification.4
If you fit this category, the minimum salary requirement drops to roughly £30,960, which matches typical Duty Manager salaries.
3. Sector 1: Care Homes (Best Chance for Sponsorship)
This sector actively recruits from overseas. Look for titles like “Deputy Manager,” “Unit Manager,” or “Care Home Manager.”
- Top Employers to Target:
- Barchester Healthcare: A major UK provider with a dedicated international recruitment team.
- HC-One: The largest care home operator in the UK; frequently sponsors for management and senior care roles.
- Care UK: Another large group often hiring for “Deputy Manager” and “Clinical Lead” roles.
- Bupa Care Homes: Global company with established sponsorship licenses.
- Requirements: You will usually need prior experience in care management. A nursing qualification (NMC registration) is a huge advantage but non-clinical management roles exist.
4. Sector 2: Hospitality (Hotels & Restaurants)
If you are over 26, you must target luxury hotels or Senior Management roles to hit the £38.7k+ salary requirement.
- Top Employers to Target:
- Hilton / Marriott / IHG: These global giants have “A-rated” sponsorship licenses. Check their career sites specifically for “Front Office Manager” or “Night Manager” roles, which pay more than standard Duty Manager roles.
- London Luxury Hotels: Five-star hotels in London (e.g., The Savoy, Claridge’s, Shangri-La at The Shard) are the only venues paying Duty Managers enough to meet the new visa threshold.
- Center Parcs / Butlin’s: Large leisure resorts sometimes sponsor for senior operational roles.
5. Where to Find These Jobs
| Platform | Search Strategy |
|---|---|
Search ("Duty Manager" OR "Deputy Manager") AND "Visa Sponsorship" | |
| Caterer.com | Filter by salary £40,000+ to find hotel roles eligible for sponsorship. |
| Carehome.co.uk | The #1 site for care jobs. Look for “Sponsorship Available” in the job description. |
| Indeed UK | Type Duty Manager sponsorship in the “What” box. |
6. Summary Checklist for Success
Avoid Scams: Legitimate companies (like Barchester or Hilton) never ask for payment to process your application or visa. If a “recruiter” asks for money via WhatsApp/Telegram, it is a scam.
Check your eligibility: Are you under 26? If yes, apply to hotels. If no, focus on Care Homes or High-End Luxury Hotels (paying £40k+).
Upgrade your search: Instead of “Duty Manager,” search for “Front of House Manager” or “Operations Manager” to find higher-paying roles eligible for visas.
The Two Main Sectors
A. Care Sector (High Sponsorship Availability)
- Role Titles: Deputy Manager, Unit Manager, Care Home Manager, Clinical Lead.
- Visa Type: Health & Care Worker Visa (Lower salary requirement).
- Salary Range: £32,000 – £50,000+ per year.
- Chance of Sponsorship: High. Care homes are actively recruiting from overseas because they are eligible for the Health & Care Visa, which has a much lower salary threshold (£23,200 or the ‘going rate’, whichever is higher) compared to standard jobs.
- Requirements: usually requires previous care experience. Clinical roles (Nurse Managers) require NMC registration.
Salary & Benefits Breakdown
| Feature | Care Home Deputy/Duty Manager | Hotel Duty Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Salary | £35,000 – £48,000 | £26,000 – £34,000 |
| Visa Salary Target | Easy to meet (Target: ~£29,000+) | Hard to meet (Target: £38,700+ unless under 26) |
| Relocation Package | Often included (Flights + 1 month accommodation) | Rare (Usually for senior execs only) |
| Accommodation | Sometimes provided (subsidized rent) | “Live-in” options available in rural hotels |
| Shift Pay | Enhanced rates for nights/weekends common | Often flat salaried (unpaid overtime is common) |
| Bonuses | “Golden Hello” (£1k-£2k sign-on bonus) | Performance bonus (up to 10% of salary) |
Top Companies Sponsoring These Roles
Care Sector (Active Sponsors):
- Barchester Healthcare: large provider, very familiar with sponsorship processes.
- HC-One: often recruits “Unit Managers” and “Deputy Home Managers.”
- Care UK: look for “Clinical Deputy Manager” roles.6
- Bupa Care Homes: global brand with consistent recruitment needs.
Hospitality Sector (Sponsors for Senior/Specialist Roles):
- Marriott / Hilton / IHG: huge multinationals with “A-rated” sponsorship licenses. They are your best bet if you are over 26, but you may need to apply for Front Office Manager rather than just Duty Manager.
- Hand Picked Hotels / Warner Leisure: often recruit for rural locations where staff shortages are severe (live-in roles often available).
- Center Parcs: large resorts that sometimes sponsor key operational leaders.
How To Apply
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Conclusion: Your Strategy
- If you are under 26: Apply to Hotels. You qualify as a “New Entrant,” so a hotel paying you £31,000 can legally sponsor you. Look for “Duty Manager” or “Assistant Front Office Manager” roles at large chains like Hilton or rural resorts.
- If you are over 26: You must target Care Homes or Senior Hotel Roles. A standard hotel Duty Manager job paying £30k will not qualify you for a visa. You need to aim for “Operations Manager” or “Front of House Manager” roles that pay £38,700+. Alternatively, pivot to the Care sector if you have transferable management skills.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I bring my family (dependents)?
- Care Sector: No. As of March 2024, care workers and senior care workers on the Health & Care visa cannot bring dependents.
- Hospitality: Yes. If you secure a Skilled Worker Visa (paying £38,700+ or as a New Entrant), you can bring your partner and children.
Q: What is the specific “SOC Code” for Duty Managers?
- For Hotels, the code is usually 5434 (Hotel and Accommodation Managers).
- For Care, it is often 6146 (Senior Care Workers) or 1242 (Residential, Day and Domiciliary Care Managers).
Q: Where can I find “Sponsorship Ready” jobs?
- LinkedIn: Use the search filter
“Visa Sponsorship” AND “Duty Manager”. - Agencies: Contact agencies like CatererGlobal (hospitality) or Compass (care).
- Government List: Check the official Register of Licensed Sponsors to ensure the company you apply to actually has a license.
Q: Do I need a degree?
- Not strictly.6 The Skilled Worker visa requires the job to be at a certain skill level (RQF Level 3, which is A-level equivalent), not that you hold a degree. However, experience is mandatory
