Obtaining a UK Sponsor Licence

min read

Date:
Time:
Location:

Share this post
Share this event

In partnership with

Obtaining a UK sponsor licence allows businesses to hire skilled workers from outside the UK.

Here’s a concise guide to help you understand the process:

1. Eligibility Requirements

Business Legitimacy: Your company must be a legitimate and operational business in the UK.

Appropriate Systems: You need to have appropriate HR systems in place to monitor sponsored employees.‍

Key Personnel: Appoint people to manage sponsorship duties, including roles like an Authorising Officer, Key Contact, and Level 1 User.

2. Types of Licences

Worker Licence: For long-term employment, including:

  • Skilled Worker - the role must meet the job suitability requirements
  • Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility) - for multinational companies which need to transfer established employees to the UK, previously the Intra-company Transfer visa
  • Minister of Religion - for people coming to work for a religious organisation
  • International Sportsperson - for elite sportspeople and coaches who will be based in the UK

Temporary Worker Licence: For short-term or temporary roles, including:

  • Scale-up Worker - for people coming to work for a fast-growing UK business
  • Creative Worker - to work in the creative industry, for example as an entertainer or artist (up to 2 years)
  • Charity Worker - for unpaid workers at a charity (up to 1 year)
  • Religious Worker - for those working in a religious order or organisation (2 years)
  • Government Authorised Exchange - work experience (1 year), research projects or training, for example practical medical or scientific training (2 years) to enable a short-term exchange of knowledge
  • International Agreement - where the worker is coming to do a job which is covered by international law, for example employees of overseas governments
  • Graduate Trainee (Global Business Mobility) - for workers transferring to their employer’s UK branch as part of a graduate training programme
  • Service Supplier (Global Business Mobility) - for workers with a contract to provide services for a UK company (6 or 12 months)
  • UK Expansion Worker (Global Business Mobility) - for workers sent to the UK to set up a new branch or subsidiary of an overseas business
  • Secondment Worker (Global Business Mobility) - for workers transferring from overseas to work for a different UK business as part of a high-value contract
  • Seasonal Worker – allows people to come to the UK and work in horticulture (for example, picking fruit and vegetables) for up to 6 months, or poultry from 18 October to 31 December each year

3. Application Process

Online Application: Submit your application through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.
Documentation: Provide necessary documents to prove your business is genuine, like bank statements, VAT registration, and proof of premises.
Fee: Pay the application fee, which varies based on the size and type of your business.

4. Compliance Obligations

Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records of your sponsored workers, including contact details and right-to-work checks.
Monitoring: Track and report changes in your sponsored workers' circumstances to UKVI.
Reporting Duties: Notify UKVI of any significant changes such as changes in your business structure or if a worker is not complying with their visa conditions.

Complying with immigration laws and all parts of the Worker and Temporary Worker sponsorship guidance – sponsors must comply with UK immigration laws and all parts of the Worker and Temporary Worker sponsor guidance;

Complying with wider UK law – sponsor licence holders have a duty to comply with wider UK law (other than immigration law);

Not engaging in behaviour or actions that are not conducive to the public good – all sponsors have a responsibility to behave in a manner that is consistent with fundamental values and not detrimental to the wider public good.

5. Post-Licence Maintenance

Renewal: Sponsor licences are valid for 10 years; ensure timely renewal.

If you have a licence to sponsor Scale-up Workers or UK Expansion Workers, it will be valid for 4 years. You will not be able to    apply for another licence to sponsor these types of workers.

Audits: Be prepared for compliance audits by UKVI to ensure ongoing adherence to sponsorship duties.

6. Common Challenges

Home Office Audits: Be prepared for visits that assess compliance with UKVI standards.
Document Accuracy: Ensure all documents are accurate and up-to-date to avoid application refusals.

7. Support and Resources


Legal Advice: Consider consulting with immigration specialists to ensure compliance.
UKVI Guidance: Regularly review UKVI guidance updates to stay informed about changes in immigration law.

By following these steps and maintaining compliance, your business can successfully obtain and manage a UK sponsor licence.

Contact us

If you would like legal advice on Immigration or further information on any or the above, please contact Nagesh below.

Get in touch
Share this post
Share this event
Insights