UK Sponsor Licence: Your 2025 Guide

• Genuine UK business: Your organisation must be lawfully registered and actively trading in the UK. You will need to prove this with official documents (e.g. Companies House registration, accounts) to show you are “a genuine organisation operating lawfully in the UK”.
• Good character: You (and key personnel) must have no unspent criminal convictions for immigration offences or other serious crimes. You also must not have had any sponsor licence revoked in the last 12 months.
• HR systems in place: You must have appropriate staff and procedures to manage sponsorship duties. For example, you must appoint an Authorising Officer (usually a senior company director) and a Key Contact, and you need robust HR policies to track sponsored workers (right-to-work checks, reporting changes, etc.).
• Compliance capability: UKVI will assess whether you are “honest, dependable and reliable” and capable of meeting your sponsor duties. This means having the infrastructure to keep records and report to the Home Office promptly. First-time sponsors often benefit from a compliance audit to prepare for these checks.
• Route-specific criteria: If you seek a Skilled Worker licence, the roles you intend to fill must meet the minimum skill and salary thresholds. In other words, the job offer must be at or above the required skill level (usually RQF3 or above) and pay at least the prevailing minimum salary (from July 2025 this is £41,700 for most Skilled Worker roles). You will need to document that each sponsored position qualifies under UK immigration rules.

• Business registration: Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum/Articles of Association, or equivalent proof of company registration.
• Financial evidence: The latest audited annual accounts (or management accounts) for the business.
• Insurance and tax: A valid employer’s liability insurance certificate (≥£5 million cover), and the company’s VAT registration certificate if applicable.
• Banking: Recent corporate bank statements showing your business transactions.
• HMRC references: Proof of your PAYE/Accounts Office reference numbers from HM Revenue & Customs.
• Premises: A lease or title deed to verify your UK business premises (or utility bills showing the business address).
• Organizational evidence: A current organization chart and employee list (especially if your company has ≤50 staff). This may include proof of company phone lines or IT systems.
• Role and job specifics (for Skilled Worker): Detailed job descriptions, required skills/qualifications, SOC codes, and offered salary for each post to be sponsored. The offered salaries must meet the Skilled Worker minimum (and any higher “going rate” if applicable).

Note: Common omissions can derail an application. For instance, many sponsors forget to include their employer’s liability insurance and premises documentation. Omitting these often leads to delays or outright refusal. Double-check your pack against the Home Office’s list before submitting.

• Incomplete documentation: Missing even one mandatory document will trigger rejection. Tip: Use the GOV.UK Appendix A checklist to pre-flight your submission.
• Mandatory compliance checks: Companies in high‑risk sectors are routinely subject to compliance visits. To avoid issues, conduct an internal compliance audit before applying.
• Surge periods: Home Office workload peaks in autumn and early spring. Tip: If timing allows, apply outside the busiest seasons or use priority service.
• Complex business structures: New companies or unclear ownership can trigger extra scrutiny. Provide clear evidence of your corporate structure and financial stability.
• First-time sponsors: Organizations without a sponsorship history may face more questions. Having a legal advisor review your application can help anticipate and answer Home Office queries.