Career Advice

Job Application Guide

How to Find Jobs in AI and Machine Learning with Visa Sponsorship in the UK in 2025/2026

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are transforming industries across the UK, from finance and healthcare to technology, energy, retail, and public services. As organisations increasingly adopt AI-driven solutions, the demand for skilled AI and ML professionals continues to grow into 2025 and 2026.

For international candidates, this presents strong opportunities to secure visa-sponsored jobs in AI and Machine Learning. With the right technical skills, experience, and job search strategy, working in the UK’s fast-growing AI sector is highly achievable.

This guide explains the UK AI and ML job market, key career paths, required skills, visa options, top employers offering sponsorship, and practical steps to help you succeed.

The UK AI and Machine Learning Job Market (2025/2026)

The UK is one of Europe’s leading hubs for AI research, innovation, and commercial application. London remains the primary centre, with growing AI ecosystems in Cambridge, Oxford, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Birmingham.

Demand for AI and ML professionals is driven by:

Increased adoption of AI in business operations
Growth of data-driven decision-making
Investment in healthtech, fintech, and deep tech
Automation and intelligent systems across industries
Government support for AI innovation and research

Key Market Trends

Applied AI & Commercialisation: Strong demand for professionals who can deploy models into production.
Generative AI: Rapid growth in roles involving large language models and AI-driven content systems.
AI in Healthcare & Life Sciences: Machine learning used for diagnostics, drug discovery, and clinical analytics.
Responsible & Ethical AI: Increased focus on model governance, explainability, and bias mitigation.
Cloud-Based AI: Experience with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud AI platforms is increasingly important.

Salary Range

Junior / Graduate AI or ML Roles: £35,000–£45,000
Mid-Level ML Engineer / AI Engineer: £50,000–£70,000
Senior AI Scientist / ML Lead: £75,000–£100,000+

Visa-sponsored roles typically need to meet the Skilled Worker Visa salary threshold, generally above £41,700, unless a new entrant discount applies. Many employers hire AI and ML engineers under the SOC 2134, and the going rate for this SOC is £54,700. On UK Visa Jobs, we review salaries for each job against the going rates to ensure that roles are eligible, allowing candidates to apply for roles that can sponsor.

Key Career Paths in AI and Machine Learning

Machine Learning Engineer

Designs, trains, and deploys ML models into production systems, often working closely with software engineers and data teams.

AI Engineer

Builds AI-powered systems and applications, integrating models into scalable platforms and products.

Data Scientist (ML-Focused)

Applies statistical modelling, machine learning, and data analysis to extract insights and develop predictive solutions.

Research Scientist / Applied Scientist

Works on advanced algorithms, experimentation, and research-driven AI development, often in R&D teams.

Computer Vision Engineer

Develops systems for image and video analysis, facial recognition, and object detection.

NLP Engineer

Builds language-based models for chatbots, search, summarisation, and large language model applications.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Depending on the role, typical responsibilities include:

Designing and training machine learning models
Cleaning and preparing large datasets
Building and testing AI pipelines
Deploying models into production environments
Monitoring model performance and accuracy
Experimenting with algorithms and feature engineering
Collaborating with software engineers and product teams
Writing technical documentation and reports
Ensuring ethical and responsible AI practices

Skills and Qualifications Needed

Technical Skills

Python (essential)
Machine learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn)
Data processing libraries (Pandas, NumPy)
SQL and data querying
Model deployment and MLOps
Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
Understanding of algorithms, statistics, and optimisation

Qualifications

Degree in computer science, AI, machine learning, mathematics, engineering, or related field
Master’s or PhD beneficial for research-focused roles
Online certifications or AI bootcamps can strengthen applications
Strong portfolio of projects, GitHub repositories, or published research

Soft Skills

Problem-solving and analytical thinking
Communication of complex ideas
Collaboration across technical and non-technical teams
Curiosity and continuous learning

Top Companies Offering Visa Sponsorship for AI and ML Roles

1. Google DeepMind

Based in London, DeepMind is a global leader in AI research and applied machine learning. The company sponsors international talent across research, engineering, and applied AI roles.

Apply for visa-sponsored roles at Google DeepMind.

2. Amazon (AWS)

Amazon hires AI and ML professionals across AWS, retail, logistics, and digital services. The company has a strong track record of sponsoring international candidates for technical roles.

Apply for visa-sponsored AI and ML roles at Amazon.

3. Microsoft UK

Microsoft employs AI engineers and researchers across cloud services, enterprise solutions, and applied AI teams. Visa sponsorship is commonly available for skilled professionals.

Apply for visa-sponsored roles at Microsoft UK.

4. AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca applies AI and machine learning to drug discovery, clinical trials, and healthcare analytics. The company sponsors international AI professionals for data science and ML roles.

Apply for visa-sponsored AI roles at AstraZeneca.

5. ARM

ARM is a UK-based technology company specialising in semiconductor design and AI-enabled computing. The company recruits ML engineers and AI researchers and sponsors skilled international talent.

Apply for visa-sponsored roles at ARM.

You can also explore AI and ML jobs with sponsorship through UK Visa Jobs and Workbeyond, which specialise in roles open to international candidates.

Visa Options for AI and ML Professionals

1. Skilled Worker Visa

Requires a job offer from a licensed sponsor
Minimum salary typically £41,700
Most common route for AI and ML professionals
Can lead to permanent residency

Learn more about the Skilled Worker Visa here.

2. Graduate Visa

For international graduates from UK universities
Two years of work without sponsorship
Ideal for gaining experience before switching to Skilled Worker status

Learn more about the Graduate Visa here.

3. Scale-Up Visa

For fast-growing tech companies hiring skilled AI professionals

Learn more about the Scale-up Visa here.

4. Global Talent Visa

Suitable for highly accomplished AI and ML professionals with strong research or industry recognition
Many AI and ML engineers will also be eligible for this visa

Learn more about this visa here.

Job Application Strategy

If You Are a Student

Build AI and ML projects outside coursework
Participate in hackathons and Kaggle competitions
Seek internships in data science or AI teams

You can apply for an internship that can lead to a visa-sponsored full-time job offer here. However, the approach can vary if you are based outside the UK. You can learn more about how to approach a job search depending on your location in our learning hub.

If You Are a Recent Graduate

Use the Graduate Visa if eligible
Apply for junior ML engineer or data scientist roles
Emphasise project experience and internships

You can apply for visa-sponsored graduate roles here. However, the approach can vary if you are based outside the UK. You can learn more about how to approach a job search depending on your location in our learning hub.

If You Have Experience

Target mid-level and senior AI roles with sponsorship history
Highlight production-level ML systems and business impact
Showcase cloud and MLOps experience

You can apply for visa-sponsored roles for candidates with work experience here.

Steps to Improve Your Chances

Maintain a strong GitHub portfolio
Demonstrate real-world ML deployment experience
Focus on end-to-end ML workflows, not just modelling
Tailor your CV to UK standards
Network with UK AI professionals and recruiters
Apply early and consistently

Interview Preparation Tips

Expect coding and ML theory questions
Prepare to explain model choices and trade-offs
Be ready for system design and ML pipeline questions
Practice explaining complex concepts clearly
Use STAR method for behavioural interviews

If you do not know where to start, you can also join our live webinars on CV writing and interviews or explore the learning hub.

Resources at UK Visa Jobs

At UK Visa Jobs, we help international finance professionals by offering:

Curated Job Listings: Visa-sponsored roles in finance and business management.
Webinars: How to write a UK-standard CV and prepare for finance interviews.
Career Support: Guidance on applying for corporate finance and treasury roles in the UK.

Explore the UK Visa Jobs resources page for more articles and advice. If you would like more curated and tailored support, explore the UK Visa Jobs learning hub.

Summary

AI and Machine Learning roles in the UK offer excellent long-term career opportunities for international professionals in 2025/2026. With strong technical skills, practical experience, and a clear visa strategy, securing a visa-sponsored AI or ML job is achievable. Focus on building applied experience, targeting sponsoring employers, and preparing thoroughly for interviews.

Start your UK AI and Machine Learning job search today with UK Visa Jobs.