This blog unravels crucial information related to Sponsor Licence for UK employers. The Sponsor Licence for UK employers, the Sponsor Licence application process, the Sponsor Licence application cost, and other vital information that you must be aware of before applying for the Sponsor Licence UK have all been covered in great depth. Let’s explore the purpose and benefits of obtaining a Sponsor Licence, as well as understand how Conroy Baker Ltd (CBL) can assist you in navigating this crucial process.

A Sponsorship Licence UK is for UK-based employers. It is an essential authorization granted by the UK Home Office, enabling employers to sponsor skilled migrant workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. This licence empowers businesses to recruit and employ foreign talent, thereby addressing workforce shortages and contributing to the growth and success of their organization.

If you want to recruit an immigrant in the UK, you also need a Sponsorship Licence UK. Employers are able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to foreign nationals who are travelling to the UK via the UK Skilled Worker or other sponsored work visa pathways with the help of a sponsorship licence from the UK. As long as the position you are providing is appropriate for the applicant, reaches the minimum pay requirement, and satisfies all other requirements for the visa, you may sponsor an overseas worker.

• In this Sponsor Licence brief application guide 2023, our qualified solicitors have curated significant points to remember while applying for a UK Sponsorship licence.
• To prevent delays and rejections, make sure you have read all the terms, the format for submitting your application, etc.
• In order to apply for a Sponsor Licence, the applicant must first complete an online form and mail it, the submission sheet at the conclusion of the application, Supporting papers as well as other mandatory documents.
• You can scan or take images of your submission sheet and the accompanying papers when applying for a Sponsor Licence.
• You must submit them to the email address stated on your entry form.
• Make sure your files –
  • Have descriptive titles, with 25 characters or less
  • Are in suitable format (for example: JPEG, PDF or PNG format)
  • Are submitted in high quality resolution & they can be easily reviewed

The Sponsor Licence application costs vary depending on the type of licence, according to the rules set by the UK Home Office. Our UK Sponsorship licence experts have curated a list of fees for small or charitable Sponsors as well as for medium or large Sponsors applying for UK Sponsor Licence.

Please read the following information before submitting an application for a Sponsorship Licence UK. If at least two of the following statements apply to you, you are a small Sponsor:

• You have less than 50 workers
• Your annual revenue is £10.2 million or less
• Your overall assets are worth £5.1 million or less

• You are a recognised charity in Scotland
• You are a recognised charity in England and Wales
• You are an excluded charity
• you are an exempt charity
• you are a registered charity in Northern Ireland
• If you are not on the register, you must submit HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) with proof of your charitable status for tax purposes

You must designate a firm employee to manage the sponsorship process when requesting a UK Sponsorship Licence.
The Sponsorship Management System (SMS) will be their main tool. The roles are as follows:

• An experienced senior person known as a “authorising officer” is responsible for the actions of workers and representatives who use SMS.
• Key Contact – UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)’s main point of contact.
• Level 1 user, in charge of daily SMS management of your licence.
• The same individual, two, or more persons may fill these jobs.
• Relevant HR procedures to keep track of foreign employees.

Your duties and responsibilities as a Sponsor are as follows:

• Proof that you’ve verified each of your sponsored employees has the proper authorization to work for you in the UK and fulfil the task at hand.
• Compliance with immigration regulations.
• Coordinate with the Home Office.
• Check employee background.
• Maintain Employee’s contact information – updated address, contact number, email & other necessary data.
• Ensuring adherence to the Sponsor assessment processes.
• Notifying UKVI of any pertinent changes to the Sponsoring firm, such as address changes, key employee replacements, ownership/shareholding/acquisition changes, and changes in the Sponsor’s size (from a small to a large corporation, etc.).
• Observing and reporting migrant conduct trends that are concerning.

Employers must be familiar with internal HR systems in order to execute their duties as Sponsors. These responsibilities include: monitoring migrant workers’ compliance with immigration law,; keeping track of the Sponsored worker’s attendance and absences, and maintaining the records outlined in Appendix D of the Sponsor Guidance.

Based on the company’s history, HR practices, capacity to carry out obligations, staff, and key employees, the UKVI evaluates the Sponsor’s genuineness. They will determine if the positions you are providing need the necessary amount of training and pay.
The UKVI evaluates the firm, Sponsor, and key personnel’s immigration status as well as their criminal and other backgrounds. Make sure to present any supporting documentation, such as records of employee attendance, logistics, daily activities recorded on paper, etc., to demonstrate the organization’s legitimacy.
If you need help setting up your supporting documents for Sponsor Licence application and verifying that they are all in the right format and order before submission, you may get in touch with our experienced legal specialists by booking a consultation.
To conclude, a Sponsorship Licence UK is mandatory for UK-based employers if they are looking to hire Overseas employees from outside the UK, Visa nationals switching from other eligible categories & Intra-company transfers for their UK-based company.