Obtaining a UK Sponsor Licence

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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