What is a Sponsorship Licence?
A Sponsor Licence is a permission granted by the UK Home Office to a UK-based business, allowing it to sponsor and employ non-UK resident workers. Without this licence, a UK employer cannot legally hire most individuals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to work in the UK. Obtaining a sponsor licence is a critical step for businesses looking to access a global talent pool.
Legally Hire Skilled Workers
Access Global Talent
Ensure Full Compliance
Build a Stable Workforce
Types of Sponsorship Licence
An organisation can hold one or both types of licences depending on its hiring needs.
| Licence Category | Primary Routes |
|---|---|
| Worker Licence | This licence is for workers with a long-term job offer. It covers routes such as the Skilled Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker (Global Business Mobility), Minister of Religion and International Sportsperson. |
| Temporary Worker Licence | This licence is for temporary workers. It covers routes such as the Creative Worker, Charity Worker, Religious Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, International Agreement and Seasonal Worker. |
Who Needs a Sponsor Licence?
Any UK-based organisation that wants to employ a skilled worker from outside the UK must obtain a sponsor licence. This applies to various entities:
- UK Businesses: From startups to large corporations seeking to fill skill gaps with international talent.
- Educational Institutions: Universities and colleges that wish to enroll international students or employ academic staff.
- Charitable Organisations: Charities that need to bring in volunteer or paid workers from overseas for their cause.
Sponsor Licence Requirements
To apply for a UK sponsor licence, your organisation must demonstrate to the Home Office that it is genuine, trustworthy, and capable of meeting its compliance duties.
- Genuineness: You must be a genuine organisation operating lawfully in the UK, not a sham company set up for immigration purposes.
- Trustworthiness: Key personnel named on the application must be honest, dependable, and reliable, with no criminal convictions or history of immigration violations.
- Capability to Comply: You must have the necessary HR systems and processes in place to meet your sponsorship duties, such as record-keeping and reporting.
- Genuine Vacancy: The role you intend to fill must be a real vacancy at the required skill level (generally RQF level 3 or above) and meet minimum salary thresholds.
Required Documents
You must provide a specific set of documents to prove your organisation's status and legitimacy. A minimum of 4 items from the mandatory list in Appendix A are typically required.
| Document Bundle | Examples of What it Includes |
|---|---|
| Mandatory (min 4 items) | Latest audited accounts, Employer's liability insurance (£5m minimum), VAT registration certificate, Corporate bank statements, HMRC registration (PAYE/NI), Proof of business premises (lease/ownership). |
Sponsor Licence Costs
The application fee depends on the size of your organisation.
| Organisation Size | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Small or Charitable Sponsor | £536 |
| Medium or Large Sponsor | £1,476 |
The Application Process
Eligibility Check
Assess business eligibility and assign key personnel.
Gather Documents
Collect all required supporting documents as per Home Office guidance.
Complete Online Form
Fill in the comprehensive online application with accurate details.
Pay Fee & Submit
Pay the relevant application fee and submit the online form.
Upload Documents
Upload all supporting PDFs to the Home Office portal within five working days.
Await Decision
Standard processing time is up to 8 weeks. Priority service is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Sponsorship Licence is official permission from the UK Home Office allowing employers to hire skilled workers from outside the UK. It enables a business to issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) for visa applications like the Skilled Worker Visa.
Standard processing time is up to eight weeks. However, for an additional fee of £500, the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can provide a decision within ten working days.
Your organisation must be a genuine UK trading entity, offer a genuine vacancy at the required skill level (RQF level 3 or above), meet minimum salary thresholds, and have robust HR systems for compliance and record-keeping.