UK Sponsor Licence

A sponsor licence is an integral part of the skilled worker route. It is typically a permission granted by the UK Home Office to UK-based organisations that permits them to hire non-UK nationals to work in specific job roles. It certifies that a particular employer is eligible to hire non-national employees and capable of fulfilling the immigration compliances thereof.

This license is relevant to every UK organisation seeking to hire non-UK nationals under work visa routes. This includes employers in sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, finance, construction, education, and technology. It allows employers to invite talented employees to come to the UK and join their companies. Without a sponsor licence, businesses cannot legally sponsor overseas workers for employment in the UK.

• Skilled Worker

Allows employers to sponsor non-UK nationals for roles that meet skill and salary thresholds set by the Home office. The job must be on the list of eligible occupations and meet English language requirements.

• Senior or Specialist Worker

Designed for multinational companies transferring senior staff to a UK branch. Workers must be employed overseas and meet minimum salary thresholds.

• Minister of Religion

Apt for religious organisations sponsoring individuals for long-term religious work, such as preaching, pastoral work, or mission roles.

• International Sportsperson

This license is for sportspeople and coaches recognised by their governing bodies who are making a significant contribution to their respective sport in the UK.

• Creative Worker

Individuals working in the creative industries such as musicians, actors, or dancers can use this route to take up short-term contracts in the UK, typically lasting up to 12 months.

• Charity Worker

Applicants can come to the UK to undertake unpaid voluntary work with a registered charity, provided the role is directly linked to the charitable objectives of the sponsoring organisation.

• Religious Worker

This route is designed for individuals engaged in non-pastoral religious duties, including those working in religious orders or administrative functions within religious institutions, typically for up to 2 years.

• Government Authorised Exchange

The visa supports temporary placements involving training, research, or work experience under approved government-backed schemes and is not intended for long-term employment.

• International Agreement

This visa applies to workers entering the UK under the terms of international law or treaty obligations, such as employees of foreign governments or recognised international organisations.

• Graduate Trainee

Under the Global Business Mobility route, this visa supports international graduate trainees participating in structured programmes that prepare them for senior management positions within their company.

• Service Supplier

This category allows overseas professionals to deliver services to a UK business under international trade agreements, provided they meet qualification and experience requirements.

• UK Expansion Worker

Senior employees of an overseas company can use this route to travel to the UK to set up and grow a new branch or subsidiary of the business. This route replaced the previous Sole Representative route.

• Secondment Worker

Allows temporary secondments to a UK business from an overseas company with a high-value contract.

• Be a genuine organisation operating lawfully in the UK:
  Your business must be actively trading and registered with the appropriate UK authorities, such as Companies House or HMRC.
• Have appropriate HR systems in place to monitor sponsored workers:
  You must demonstrate the ability to track employee attendance, maintain records, and report changes to the Home Office when required.
• Offer genuine employment that meets the relevant skill level and salary thresholds:
  The job role must meet the minimum qualifications and salary set out in the immigration rules for the relevant visa category.
• Not have unspent criminal convictions for immigration offences or other serious crimes:
  Businesses or directors with a recent history of immigration violations, fraud, or other relevant offences are unlikely to be approved.

Applying for a sponsor license could be a complex process and involves a lot of steps. Here is a systematic step-by-step guide to help you get a clearer picture-

1. Determine the appropriate type of sponsor licence (Worker or Temporary Worker):
   Choose the correct category based on the roles you intend to sponsor (e.g. Skilled Worker, Graduate Trainee, Creative Worker).
2. Ensure the business meets the eligibility requirements:
   You must meet the eligibility requirements of the Home Office in terms of the business structure, HR capacity, and job roles.
3. Prepare supporting documents:
   Prepare mandatory evidence such as business registration certificates, corporate bank statements, proof of employer liability insurance and so on.
4. Submit the online application via the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) and Pay the fees:
   Complete and submit the application on the official UKVI portal, where you can also manage your sponsorship duties if approved. You must also pay the fees. Fees vary depending on whether you are a small business or large organisation, and the type of licence you are applying for.
5. Await a decision and prepare for a possible compliance visit:
   You must wait for the decision after submitting the application before you can proceed with the skilled worker visa process. The Home Office may conduct a pre-licence visit to verify your HR systems and assess whether the sponsorship is genuine.

Standard processing time for a sponsor license application is up to 8 weeks. You may be able to reduce the processing time down to 5 working days by paying an additional fees of £500. However, there are limited slots available for this service.

Sponsors must fulfill several ongoing duties, including:

• Record-keeping: Maintain accurate records of sponsored workers’ contact details, attendance, and job roles.
• Reporting duties: Inform the Home Office of significant changes, such as job role changes, resignations, or absences.
• Worker Compliance: Ensure sponsored workers are complying with their visa conditions and not engaging in unauthorised work.

Failure to comply can lead to the licence being suspended, or revoked.

Some common issues that UK-based businesses face while applying for a sponsor licence include:

• Insufficient documentation to prove business operations or need for sponsorship.
• Weak HR systems that fail to demonstrate the ability to monitor visa compliance.
• Misunderstanding eligibility criteria or applying under the wrong licence type.
• Failing a pre-licence compliance visit due to inadequate record-keeping.

These challenges can be mitigated by getting a detailed understanding of all the steps involved prior to proceeding with the application and careful preparation of the application form and the necessary documents. It is always advisable to seek professional advice to navigate the complexities of the process as applying for a sponsor licence could be a time and money consuming process, if not done right.