Sponsorship Licence Application & Compliance Support
A Sponsorship Licence is approval from the UK Home Office (UK Visas & Immigration, UKVI) that allows UK employers to hire and sponsor non-UK nationals under certain visa categories—such as the Skilled Worker visa or Temporary Worker visa.
Once your organisation is approved, you can issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to eligible overseas or in-country workers, enabling them to apply for their UK visa.
What is a Sponsorship Licence?
• A licence granted by the Home Office (UK Visas & Immigration, UKVI) that allows UK employers to hire non-UK nationals under certain visa routes (e.g. Skilled Worker, Temporary Worker).
• Once approved, the employer can issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to overseas or in-country workers.
Eligibility for Organisations
Your organisation must:
• Be legally established and actively trading in the UK.
• Have a UK bank account and business premises.
• Appoint suitable key personnel (Authorising Officer, Key Contact, and Level 1/2 users).
• Have proper HR systems to monitor sponsored workers, track absences, conduct right-to-work checks, and report changes.
• Have no history of immigration abuse or serious criminal activity.
Step-by-Step Application Process
1. Decide licence type — Skilled Worker, Temporary Worker, or both.
2. Appoint key personnel — Authorising Officer, Key Contact, and Level 1 user. Ensure one Level 1 user meets the new requirements.
3. Prepare documents — gather all evidence of trading, premises, insurance, and HR systems.
4. Apply online — complete the application form and pay the fee.
5. Submit documents — send supporting evidence to UKVI within the required timeframe.
6. Compliance checks — UKVI may visit your premises to check systems and authenticity.
7. Decision — typically issued within 8–10 weeks.
8. Licence granted — you can then assign Certificates of Sponsorship to eligible workers.
Fees (as of 2025)
• Small business or charity: around £574.
• Medium or large organisation: around £1,579.