Banks Reluctant to Sponsor Visa for London SA Positions

I have been recruiting for SA positions at both BBs and EBs in London.

Many of the contacts I have networked with have said that banks are reluctant to sponsor visas.

Other HR contacts have explicitly stated they only accept EU applicants.

Does anyone have any insight on how to get around the problem?

12 Comments
 

Afaik the visa reluctance only arises if you're switching b/w banks at junior positions after graduation (bc you have to do the RLMT - doesn't apply after Brexit anymore - which is quite a hassle). For SAs you don't have to have a specific visa (your Tier 4 allows you to work during summers), and afaik for most banks they're pretty happy to take on internationals, bar select EBs as mentioned. 

 

Two different things:

1) non EU student studying in the UK and applying for positions in London

2) non EU student studying outside of the UK and applying for positions in London

Good luck if you are under the category 2.

 

Nihil adipisci et eaque rem ullam dolorem. Accusantium enim iusto quod aspernatur.

Voluptas adipisci repellat iure. Soluta neque sunt nisi beatae incidunt omnis est qui. Qui et dolor architecto in. Qui tenetur qui nobis vero rem blanditiis. Voluptates laborum dolores laudantium doloribus possimus quas.

Aut qui temporibus maiores ipsa cum. Velit tempore quia et incidunt. In nisi tempora aut quaerat asperiores voluptatem quibusdam. Sit et sit aut odit quia.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”