£55,000/year UK Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Oil and Gas Sector – Apply Now

The United Kingdom remains one of the top global destinations for oil and gas professionals seeking stable and well-paying careers. In 2025, with major energy companies ramping up production and investing heavily in renewable alternatives while still maintaining core oil and gas operations, demand for skilled and even entry-level workers in this sector continues to soar.

Many UK firms now offer visa sponsorship opportunities, enabling foreign workers to access lucrative salaries averaging between £42,000 and £55,000 annually depending on role, experience, and region.

Recent data from the UK Department for Business and Energy shows that the oil and gas sector contributes over £20 billion annually to the national economy, employing more than 120,000 direct workers and supporting an additional 250,000 through supply chains.

By 2025, projections indicate at least a 10 percent growth in labor demand, particularly in drilling, offshore engineering, and project management roles. For international job seekers, this means abundant opportunities for high-paying positions with structured career growth while securing long-term visas such as the Skilled Worker visa or Global Talent visa.

The combination of competitive salaries, excellent employee benefits packages, and the security of a sponsored visa makes this industry one of the most attractive for global professionals looking to relocate to the UK.

Many companies also provide relocation allowances, accommodation support for offshore assignments, and tax-free benefits for certain international postings, making the total compensation even more appealing.

Why Work in the Oil and Gas Industry?

The UK oil and gas sector offers unparalleled career benefits ranging from financial rewards to professional development opportunities. For international workers, the added advantage of visa sponsorship transforms this sector into one of the most accessible and profitable industries for foreign talent.

One of the primary reasons professionals choose this industry is the competitive salary structure. For instance, an entry-level drilling assistant can start with earnings around £32,000 annually, while experienced project engineers or offshore managers easily surpass £55,000 per year.

In some specialized roles such as subsea engineering or LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) operations, salaries can reach up to £70,000 depending on project complexity and location.

Another strong attraction is job security. Despite the global shift towards renewable energy, the oil and gas sector remains vital for the UK’s energy mix, ensuring steady demand for skilled workers across exploration, production, and refining activities.

With North Sea reserves still significant and investments in new technologies like carbon capture growing, professionals entering the sector today can expect long-term career prospects. Additional benefits include:

• Comprehensive Training Programs: Many companies provide structured graduate schemes, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training funded by employers.
• Global Career Mobility: Skills gained in the UK are often transferable to other oil-producing regions like the Middle East or North America.
• Attractive Work Schedules: Offshore roles often use rotational schedules such as 2-weeks-on, 2-weeks-off, enabling better work-life balance.

Moreover, workers enjoy access to professional certifications sponsored by employers, including OPITO safety training and IWCF drilling qualifications, which further boost employability worldwide.

Types of Oil and Gas Jobs with Visa Sponsorship in the UK

The oil and gas sector in the UK encompasses a wide range of roles suitable for both skilled professionals and entry-level workers.

Visa sponsorship availability varies across roles, but many companies actively hire foreign workers to address talent shortages, particularly in technical and engineering positions. Some of the most in-demand roles offering visa sponsorship include:

• Drilling Engineers: Responsible for planning and executing drilling operations, these professionals earn between £48,000 and £65,000 annually depending on experience.
• Offshore Technicians: Covering maintenance, electrical, and mechanical roles, salaries range from £35,000 to £50,000 per year.
• Subsea Engineers: Specialists in underwater infrastructure, often earning £55,000 or more due to the complexity of their work.
• Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Officers: Ensuring regulatory compliance, salaries average around £40,000 annually.
• Petroleum Geoscientists: Using advanced software for exploration projects, often earning above £60,000 in senior positions.

For international workers without prior industry experience, entry-level roles such as roustabouts or rig assistants provide opportunities to gain offshore exposure while earning around £28,000 to £32,000 annually, with salaries increasing rapidly after completing required certifications.

Companies such as BP, Shell, Equinor, and TotalEnergies frequently list visa sponsorship roles on their careers pages, while recruitment agencies like NES Fircroft and Petroplan specialize in placing international candidates within the UK energy market.

Entry-level Skills and Experience Required

While highly technical roles in engineering and geosciences require formal degrees in disciplines like petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, or geology, many entry-level positions only demand basic qualifications combined with industry-recognized training certifications.

For example, offshore safety training such as the Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) certificate is mandatory for anyone working offshore, regardless of role or experience level.

This training typically costs between £600 and £900, but several employers sponsor it for selected candidates during onboarding. Key skills employers look for include:

• Physical Fitness: Essential for offshore work environments requiring manual labor and long shifts.
• Technical Aptitude: Even entry-level technicians benefit from basic electrical, mechanical, or welding knowledge.
• Problem-Solving Abilities: Critical for roles in drilling or production where rapid decision-making can prevent costly delays.
• Teamwork and Communication: Offshore operations involve large multi-disciplinary teams operating in challenging conditions.

For university graduates, degrees in engineering, environmental science, or geology open access to higher-paying roles with starting salaries around £35,000 to £40,000 annually.

Some companies also run graduate training schemes combining onshore and offshore rotations, providing exposure across exploration, production, and refining processes.

Additionally, prior experience in construction, heavy machinery operation, or industrial maintenance can provide a pathway into offshore technician roles even without a university degree, as many employers value practical skills over academic qualifications for certain operational positions.

Regions with the Highest Payment Structures

The UK oil and gas sector is geographically diverse, with some regions offering significantly higher salaries due to the complexity of projects, cost of living factors, and workforce demand. For foreign professionals seeking visa sponsorship roles, understanding these salary variations helps in targeting applications more effectively.

Scotland, particularly Aberdeen, often referred to as the “Oil Capital of Europe,” remains the epicenter of the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry. Workers here frequently command salaries above the national average because of the region’s proximity to North Sea reserves.

For instance, drilling supervisors in Aberdeen earn between £60,000 and £75,000 annually, while subsea engineers often cross £80,000 in senior positions. Other high-paying regions include:

• Norwich and the East of England: Specializing in gas processing facilities, offering salaries averaging £50,000–£65,000.
• Hull and the Humber Region: Known for refining and petrochemical plants with mid-level engineers earning around £45,000–£55,000
• London: While not directly involved in production, corporate and project management roles here frequently pay over £70,000 due to higher living costs and strategic responsibilities.

Interestingly, offshore platforms typically offer rotational schedules, such as two weeks on-site followed by two weeks off, but workers often receive additional offshore allowances that can increase total earnings by 15–20 percent annually.

These allowances cover living costs, travel expenses, and sometimes even tax-free benefits for certain international workers, making these postings highly lucrative.

A case study from BP’s Clair Ridge Project showed average annual salaries for senior drilling engineers reaching £82,000, including bonuses and allowances, underlining the premium paid for specialized technical expertise in remote offshore locations.

Salary Expectations for Oil and Gas Workers

Salary structures in the UK oil and gas sector vary widely based on job role, experience level, region, and employer. For international workers applying under visa sponsorship programs, salaries typically meet or exceed the UK Skilled Worker visa salary thresholds, ensuring eligibility for work permits while providing competitive income levels.

Entry-Level Positions

Workers in positions such as roustabouts, rig assistants, or offshore catering staff typically start at £28,000–£32,000 annually. Despite being entry-level, offshore allowances and overtime frequently raise total earnings to around £35,000 within the first year.

Mid-Level Roles

Technicians, safety officers, and equipment operators generally earn between £40,000 and £55,000, with specialized roles like drilling fluid engineers or well intervention specialists pushing salaries closer to £60,000 after three to five years of experience.

Senior and Specialist Roles

Positions such as offshore installation managers (OIMs), petroleum engineers, and geoscientists often surpass £75,000 annually, especially on major North Sea projects. Senior drilling consultants sometimes charge day rates exceeding £600, equating to annual earnings well above £100,000 for long-term contracts. Employers frequently offer additional benefits including:

• Relocation packages worth £5,000–£10,000 for international hires.
• Health insurance, retirement plans, and performance bonuses averaging 10–15 percent of base salaries.
• Paid training for certifications like IWCF or NEBOSH, increasing long-term earning potential.

Data from the UK Oil and Gas Authority confirms the average salary across the sector stands at £54,000, nearly twice the UK national average salary of around £31,000, reinforcing why this industry remains highly attractive for foreign professionals seeking visa sponsorship.

Visa Types and Options for Oil and Gas Workers

Securing the correct visa is critical for foreign workers entering the UK oil and gas workforce. Fortunately, several visa categories accommodate international professionals, ensuring both skilled engineers and entry-level workers can legally work and reside in the UK.

Skilled Worker Visa

This remains the most common route for foreign workers. To qualify, applicants must secure a job offer from a UK-based employer approved by the Home Office. The minimum salary requirement is currently £26,200 annually or £10.10 per hour, though oil and gas roles often far exceed this threshold.

Health and Safety Exceptions

Certain roles facing acute labor shortages, such as offshore safety officers, may qualify under reduced salary thresholds, £20,960 annually, making it easier for employers to sponsor visas for these positions.

Global Talent Visa

Senior engineers or researchers contributing to technological innovation in energy transition projects can apply under this visa category, especially if endorsed by recognized scientific bodies. Salaries here often exceed £60,000, fulfilling both immigration and professional criteria.

Temporary Work Visas

For short-term offshore projects lasting less than 12 months, companies sometimes sponsor Temporary Worker Visas under the international agreements route, enabling faster deployment for critical assignments.

Employers like Shell, BP, and TotalEnergies routinely handle visa processing for selected candidates, covering application fees ranging from £610 to £1,408 depending on visa length and type. Many also assist with the Immigration Health Surcharge, currently £624 per year, ensuring smooth relocation for employees and their families.

How to Find Oil and Gas Jobs with Visa Sponsorship in the UK

Finding legitimate oil and gas jobs in the UK offering visa sponsorship requires a strategic approach combining online research, direct applications, and networking within industry circles.

Online Job Portals

Websites such as Indeed UK, TotalJobs, and OilandGasJobSearch frequently advertise visa sponsorship roles across drilling, engineering, and offshore operations. Filtering search results using keywords like “visa sponsorship oil and gas jobs UK” increases application success rates.

Company Career Pages

Major employers like BP, Equinor, Harbour Energy, and TechnipFMC list international hiring opportunities on their official portals. Candidates can apply directly, often gaining access to structured graduate programs, apprenticeships, and senior technical roles.

Recruitment Agencies

Specialist firms such as NES Fircroft, Petroplan, and Airswift connect international candidates with UK employers offering sponsorship packages. These agencies often assist with visa documentation, interviews, and relocation logistics.

Networking and Professional Bodies

Joining organizations like the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) or attending UK-based energy conferences significantly boosts hiring visibility. Many employers prioritize candidates actively involved in professional associations or industry events. For better application outcomes, candidates should prepare:

• Updated CVs highlighting technical skills and certifications.
• Cover letters emphasizing willingness to relocate and meet visa obligations.
• Valid international passports with at least six months’ validity remaining.

By combining online applications with industry networking and certification upgrades, international workers can quickly secure interviews, job offers, and visa sponsorship for lucrative UK oil and gas roles.