How much will a bus driver earn in the UK in 2025?

On average, salary is approximately 30,650 per an annum but it can change according to the locality, experience and overtime. The pay can increase in cities such as London and Manchester.

Are these jobs applicable to me because I do not have a UK driving license?

No, not necessarily. Some jobs may need you to have a PCV license already, but most companies do provide paid training to enable you to get the required UK qualifications such as the PCV license and the Driver CPC.

Is the job of a bus driver on the UK Shortage Occupation List in 2025?

Yes, bus and coach drivers (SOC code 8331) are listed on the Shortage Occupation List as of 2025 and, therefore, such a visa route will be more desirable.

What is the duration required to complete the visa application procedure?

It usually takes approximately 3 weeks to complete the Skilled Worker visa application once you have acquired your Certificate of Sponsorship and you are outside the UK.

Do bus drivers have any relocation packages?

Relocation packages or allowances may be provided by some employers to offset the initial moving expenses and accommodation, particularly when filling experienced bus driver UK posts. You should enquire about it when interviewing to get a job.

UK Bus Driver Jobs With Visa Sponsorship In 2025

Wish to live a new life and have a good career in the United Kingdom? The UK bus industry is facing a chronic shortage of skilled drivers, and is busy trying to tap skilled talent all over the world. With the right skills and enthusiasm to work with people, you might be on a fast track towards a sponsored job in one of the busy cities in the UK. In this step-by-step guide, I will show you all you need to know about working as a bus driver in the UK with visa sponsorship in 2025, including visa requirements and how to find the right employer.

The UK’s Growing Need for Bus Drivers

The UK bus network is an important component of the UK public transport system that links communities and enable millions of people to reach work, school, and leisure activities on a daily basis. Due to the high demand of skilled bus and coach drivers (under SOC code 8331), this is why this occupation is on the shortage occupation list in the UK. This has the advantage of ensuring that upon being in this list, employers have an easier time sponsoring international workers, thus simplifying the visa process and facilitating your trip to the UK.

Navigating the UK Skilled Worker Visa for Bus Drivers

The main visa available to international bus drivers to work in the UK is the Skilled Worker visa. This visa supersedes the previous Tier 2 (General) visa and is aimed at a non-UK citizen that has been offered a job by an accredited UK employer. Below is a brief summary of the most important requirements:

Job Offer and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): You have to have the confirmed job offer provided by a company in the United Kingdom, which has a Sponsorship Licence. Then your employer will provide you with a special Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that you will need in your visa application.
Skill Level and Salary: You should be included on the list of eligible jobs and your salary should be at least the minimum wage level. In the case of bus drivers, the salary requirement is also generally lower as they are included on the Shortage Occupation List and are, therefore, more accessible. By the year 2025, the average UK bus drivers salary is likely to be about 30,650 per annum.
English Language Requirement: You need to demonstrate proficiency in the English Language by passing a recognised test (i.e. IELTS) of the necessary level (typically B1) or by obtaining a degree which is taught in English.

UK Bus Driver Jobs With Visa Sponsorship In 2025UK Bus Driver Jobs With Visa Sponsorship In 2025

Finding UK Bus Companies Sponsoring Visas in 2025

It is important to find the right employers when searching a job. A lot of the largest transport companies in the UK have been sponsoring international workers. The following are some of the most important players to watch:

Stagecoach: Stagecoach, one of the largest and most popular bus companies in the UK, regularly vacates positions of both trainee bus drivers UK and professional drivers.
FirstBus: This is a leading operator that serves the whole of the UK, but First Greater Manchester and First Glasgow are good places to start your search.
National Express: National Express careers are primarily coach operators, but may also include bus services and are open to successful and relocation bus driver UK applications.
Go-Ahead Group: Go-Ahead London is one of the companies that offer employment to many people given that their operations are spread in big cities such as London.
Arriva: Arriva is a transport firm based in the UK with a huge presence in the United Kingdom. Search on bus driver Arriva UK visa on their career pages.

How to Get Hired Step-by-Step Guide

It is necessary to prepare to get a job as an overseas bus driver in the UK. The following is a basic checklist to follow:

Check Your Credentials: Do you possess a driving license that is valid in your country of residence? Most employers will offer training of the UK-specific PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) licence and the Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence), but experience is certainly an asset.
Prepare Your CV/Resume: Customize your resume to showcase your driving experience, customer service abilities, and any professional qualifications that may be relevant.
Find Opportunities: To find opportunities, use job boards such as Indeed, Jooble, and LinkedIn, as well as the careers sections of large bus companies. You can find jobs with such terms as visa sponsorship, sponsorship licence, or PCV driver jobs in the UK without EU citizenship.
Ace the Interview: You will be expected to talk about your driving experience, your driving record and why you have decided to work as a bus driver in the UK. A lot of companies are seeking trustworthy, professional and friendly drivers.
Apply for Your Visa: As soon as you receive a job offer and your employer has already sent you CoS, you can start the official process of receiving a Skilled Worker visa UK online.

FAQs

How much will a bus driver earn in the UK in 2025?

On average, salary is approximately 30,650 per an annum but it can change according to the locality, experience and overtime. The pay can increase in cities such as London and Manchester.
Are these jobs applicable to me because I do not have a UK driving license?

No, not necessarily. Some jobs may need you to have a PCV license already, but most companies do provide paid training to enable you to get the required UK qualifications such as the PCV license and the Driver CPC.
Is the job of a bus driver on the UK Shortage Occupation List in 2025?

Yes, bus and coach drivers (SOC code 8331) are listed on the Shortage Occupation List as of 2025 and, therefore, such a visa route will be more desirable.
What is the duration required to complete the visa application procedure?

It usually takes approximately 3 weeks to complete the Skilled Worker visa application once you have acquired your Certificate of Sponsorship and you are outside the UK.
Do bus drivers have any relocation packages?

Relocation packages or allowances may be provided by some employers to offset the initial moving expenses and accommodation, particularly when filling experienced bus driver UK posts. You should enquire about it when interviewing to get a job.

Final Thoughts

UK bus driver jobs with visa sponsorship in 2025 is a golden opportunity to the skilled professionals all over the world. You can create a new and exciting part of your life by targeting your search with companies that have been granted a sponsorship licence, by preparing to get the visa, and by showing that you want to do so.

Bus Driver Jobs In United Kingdom With Visa Sponsorship 2025