Let’s face it—when people think of moving to the UK, they often imagine big jobs in tech, medicine, or engineering. But here’s the truth no one talks about: general cleaning jobs are one of the easiest, fastest, and most realistic ways to start working in the UK with visa sponsorship.
You don’t need a degree. You don’t need fluent British English. You just need a strong work ethic, a decent attitude, and a bit of courage.
In 2025, the UK is still facing a massive shortage of low-skilled and manual labor workers, especially in cleaning roles across hospitals, schools, offices, and care homes.
The good news? Many UK employers are offering visa sponsorship for international workers to fill these cleaning jobs.
Let’s break it all down—what it means, how much you can earn, where to apply, and how to get started.
Contents
- 1 🛂 What is Visa Sponsorship for Cleaner Jobs?
- 2 🧽 What Does a General Cleaner Do?
- 3 💰 Salary: How Much Do Cleaners Earn in the UK?
- 4 👨👩👧👦 Who Can Apply for UK Cleaner Jobs?
- 5 🏢 Top Employers Offering Visa Sponsorship for Cleaning Roles
- 6 🔎 Where to Search for UK Cleaning Jobs with Visa Sponsorship
- 7 📄 Documents You’ll Need
- 8 ✈️ Real Story: Samuel from Nigeria 🇳🇬
- 9 ✅ Final Tips to Boost Your Chances
- 10 🏁 Final Words: Your New Start Is Just One Application Away
🛂 What is Visa Sponsorship for Cleaner Jobs?
Visa sponsorship means a UK employer is registered with the Home Office and is allowed to sponsor overseas workers to come to the UK legally for work.
They provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which you’ll need to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa (or another visa type, depending on the job).
In short:
- You get a job offer
- The employer gives you a CoS
- You apply for a UK work visa
- If approved, you travel to the UK and start work!
🧽 What Does a General Cleaner Do?
Cleaning jobs in the UK are generally considered unskilled or low-skilled but essential. They exist in just about every industry—healthcare, hospitality, schools, offices, retail stores, and transport hubs.
Typical duties include:
- Sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming floors
- Cleaning and disinfecting bathrooms
- Dusting furniture and fixtures
- Emptying bins and removing waste
- Washing windows or glass surfaces
- Refilling supplies like soap and toilet paper
Some employers may require night shifts or weekend availability, especially for commercial or hospital cleaning.
💰 Salary: How Much Do Cleaners Earn in the UK?
Cleaning jobs in the UK typically pay hourly, and wages vary slightly by region and shift timing.
| Job Role | Hourly Pay (GBP) | Monthly (Full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| General Cleaner | £10.50 – £12.00 | £1,700 – £1,950 |
| Night Cleaner | £11.50 – £13.00 | £1,850 – £2,200 |
| Hospital/Deep Cleaner | £12.00 – £14.00 | £2,000 – £2,400 |
Many employers also offer:
- Free uniform & training
- Paid holidays (up to 28 days/year)
- Sick leave
- Free or subsidized accommodation (in rare cases)
👨👩👧👦 Who Can Apply for UK Cleaner Jobs?
The best part about cleaner jobs is they’re accessible to almost anyone.
✅ Basic Requirements:
- Age 18+
- Physically fit and willing to work
- Understand basic English (for safety signs and communication)
- No criminal record
- Ability to relocate and work legally in the UK (through visa)
No degree, no prior UK experience, and no professional certifications are required.
🏢 Top Employers Offering Visa Sponsorship for Cleaning Roles
Some UK employers are already on the Home Office Sponsor List, meaning they can legally hire workers from abroad.
🧼 1. NHS (National Health Service)
Hospitals need domestic assistants (hospital cleaners) around the clock. The NHS sponsors cleaners under the Health and Care Worker Visa route.
👉 Check jobs: www.jobs.nhs.uk
🧼 2. Mitie Group
One of the UK’s largest cleaning and facilities management companies. They clean schools, airports, hospitals, and offices across the UK.
👉 Careers page: careers.mitie.com
🧼 3. OCS Group
OCS hires cleaners for government buildings, transport hubs, and healthcare. They are known to sponsor cleaners from overseas in certain locations.
👉 Website: ocs.com
🧼 4. ISS UK
Global cleaning and hygiene company. They often hire for full-time and part-time cleaning roles and may offer sponsorship for hard-to-fill roles.
👉 Website: uk.issworld.com
🧼 5. Local Council Services & Schools
Many UK councils outsource cleaning services and sometimes sponsor hard-to-fill roles like school cleaners or public building janitors.
Search on: www.gov.uk/find-a-job
🔎 Where to Search for UK Cleaning Jobs with Visa Sponsorship
Here’s where you should start your search:
✅ 1. Indeed UK
Search:
“Cleaner jobs with visa sponsorship”
Use filters like “Skilled Worker Visa” or “NHS Cleaning”
✅ 2. TotalJobs
Another major UK job site. Use keywords like “general cleaner sponsorship”, “hospital cleaning jobs visa UK”, etc.
✅ 3. [UK Government Visa Sponsor List (2025)]
Download the latest Register of Licensed Sponsors and search for employers in “Facilities services,” “Cleaning,” or “Support services.”
📄 Documents You’ll Need
To apply for cleaning jobs in the UK with visa sponsorship, prepare the following:
- Passport (valid for 6+ months)
- Simple CV or resume (UK format, 1 page)
- Cover letter (optional but helpful)
- Police clearance certificate
- Medical certificate (if requested)
- Proof of English (optional for low-skilled roles)
Once you receive a job offer from a UK sponsor, they’ll issue your Certificate of Sponsorship, and you can apply for your Skilled Worker Visa.
✈️ Real Story: Samuel from Nigeria 🇳🇬
Samuel applied for a general cleaner job through a UK facilities company he found online. He had no prior UK experience, just a local cleaning job back home.
Within 3 months, the employer arranged visa sponsorship, accommodation, and helped him settle near Birmingham. Today, he earns £1,950/month, works night shifts, and sends money home.
His advice?
“Don’t overthink it. Just start applying. The right job is waiting.”
✅ Final Tips to Boost Your Chances
✔ Apply to multiple jobs daily — don’t wait for one reply
✔ Make your CV short, clear, and focused
✔ Include a short sentence like:
“Eligible and available for UK Skilled Worker Visa. Require sponsorship.”
✔ Avoid scams — real employers never ask you to pay upfront
✔ Join Facebook groups like: “UK Visa Sponsorship Jobs 2025”
🏁 Final Words: Your New Start Is Just One Application Away
General cleaner jobs in the UK may seem simple—but they’re powerful stepping stones. They offer:
- Legal work entry to the UK
- Stable income
- Potential for visa extensions
- And even a path to permanent residency
So if you’re dreaming of working abroad but don’t have a degree or fancy resume—this is your sign. Start with a mop. Build a life.