Microsoft: does its software engineering graduate programme sponsor a UK visa?

Yes, with conditionsSoftware Engineering Graduate Programme (UK)

Yes. Microsoft sponsors its software engineering graduate programme for eligible international graduates. Microsoft's own global careers pages state a sponsorship commitment, and Microsoft runs substantial, active UK software-engineering hiring (a live London 'Software Engineering - ISE' junior listing was previously observed). The direct sponsorship line found is on a global/US-oriented FAQ, not a UK-specific statement, so it is treated as strongly indicative rather than fully UK-confirmed.

Sponsors grads?: Sponsors
Pay vs threshold: Clears the threshold
Opportunity: graduate scheme
Pay: No fresh official UK grad-specific figure obtained this session. A previously observed live London junior 'Software Engineering - ISE' listing ranged roughly £58,200 to £97,600/yr, well above the software-specific new-entrant bar, though this was an Indeed listing rather than an official Microsoft figure.
2027 cycle: No published date as of 1 October 2026
Confidence: medium

What is covered: Software Engineering Graduate Programme and 'Software Engineering - ISE' entry roles (London)

“Yes, Microsoft provides visa sponsorship.”

Microsoft, from its own careers pages

The catch: Do not confuse this with 'MACH' (Microsoft Academy for College Hires), which is a SALES scheme, not software engineering. Also do not confuse it with 'Explore Microsoft', a flagship internship track explicitly restricted to the United States, Canada, Mexico or India that does NOT run in the UK; UK candidates use a separate full-time track.

Microsoft early careers Verify on gov.uk See the licence record

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What Microsoft publishes about this programme

Checked against Microsoft's own careers pages on 2026-10-01. Anything not published is worth asking the early careers team before you apply.

Visa sponsorship policy: published
Application dates: not published
Pay: published
Locations: not published
Degree requirement: not published
Recruitment stages: not published

Sources

Verdict last checked 2026-08-11. Application dates last checked 2026-10-01.

Common questions

Does Microsoft sponsor visas for its software engineering graduate programme?

Does the pay clear the UK Skilled Worker salary threshold?

The pay for this scheme clears the Skilled Worker salary threshold.

What is the catch international students miss with Microsoft?

Do not confuse this with 'MACH' (Microsoft Academy for College Hires), which is a SALES scheme, not software engineering. Also do not confuse it with 'Explore Microsoft', a flagship internship track explicitly restricted to the United States, Canada, Mexico or India that does NOT run in the UK; UK candidates use a separate full-time track.

When do applications open for the Microsoft software engineering graduate programme?

No published date as of 1 October 2026. Checked on 2026-10-01 against Microsoft's own site.

How should I confirm Microsoft's sponsorship before applying?

Read the specific vacancy on Microsoft's careers site, ask its early-careers team directly, and check the employer on the gov.uk Register of Licensed Sponsors. Policies and thresholds change, so treat this page as a starting point and confirm for the exact role and cycle.

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Sponsorship data: Home Office register + job ad wording. Not immigration advice, verify on gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.