SPONSOR LICENCE

Recruit Migrant Worker

If a UK employer wishes to hire overseas nationals who do not already have the right to work in the UK, they must apply to the Home Office for a Sponsor Licence. This licence authorises the business to legally sponsor and employ non-UK workers.

A Sponsor Licence is typically required to employ:

• Skilled Workers
• UK Expansion Workers
• Most EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals arriving after 31 December 2020

A Sponsor Licence is not required to employ:

• Irish citizens
• Individuals with EU Settled or Pre-Settled Status
• People with Indefinite Leave to Remain
• Foreign nationals who already have permission to work in the UK

Types of Sponsor Licences

The type of licence depends on the visa route the worker will be applying for. Categories include:

• Skilled Worker Licence
• UK Expansion Worker Licence
• Temporary Worker Licences (Creative Worker, Sportsperson, etc.)
• Other Worker categories such as Global Business Mobility routes

Each licence type has route-specific requirements. The solicitors are able to advise on the most appropriate route for the business.

Sponsor Licence Requirements

To secure a Sponsor Licence, an employer must meet both general Home Office requirements and any route-specific conditions based on the visa category.

General Requirements

The Home Office will require evidence that:

• The organisation is genuine and lawfully operating in the UK
• The business and its key people are honest, dependable, and compliant
• The employer has sufficient HR systems in place to fulfil sponsor duties

To prove this, businesses must submit company-related documents. The Home Office may also examine:

• The business’s history and reputation
• The background of Key Personnel
• The company’s recruitment processes and compliance systems

Route-Specific Requirements

Skilled Worker Route

Employers must show that:

• The job meets the required skill and salary thresholds
• The role is genuine
• The relationship is a direct employment (not a third-party arrangement)

UK Expansion Worker Route

In addition to skill and salary thresholds, the business must show:

• It has a UK footprint (e.g. registration or premises)
• The overseas business has been active and trading for at least 3 years
• The business is not currently trading in the UK, but intends to do so
• The expansion will be into the same business sector
• There is a qualifying link between the UK entity and the overseas company

The solicitors are able to provide legal guidance to ensure each of these requirements is addressed thoroughly.

Documents Required

Applicants must submit at least four mandatory documents (as listed in Appendix A of the Home Office Sponsor Guidance), which may include:

• Business bank statements
• Employer’s liability insurance certificate
• HMRC registration and tax documents
• Proof of business premises

The solicitors assist with identifying the correct documents for submission and explaining their relevance to the application.

Appointing Key Personnel

The employer must appoint the following roles when applying for a Sponsor Licence:

1. Authorising Officer – Senior person responsible for the licence
2. Key Contact – The main liaison with the Home Office
3. Level 1 User – Responsible for day-to-day management through the Sponsor Management System (SMS)

These roles can be held by one or more individuals. They must:

• Be based in the UK
• Be free from criminal or immigration offences
• Be employees or office holders of the business (exceptions may apply)

The solicitors are able to provide advice on suitable personnel appointments and ensure all eligibility requirements are satisfied.

Application Process

To apply for a Sponsor Licence, an employer must:

1. Complete the online application form
2. Pay the applicable fee
3. Submit supporting documents within 5 working days

Although the sponsor must submit the application, the solicitors can:

• Prepare the full application
• Draft business case documents
• Review all supporting evidence
• Guide the sponsor through the process step-by-step

Application Timeline

• Standard processing: up to 8 weeks
• Priority service: £500 for a decision within 10 working days

The solicitors are experienced in preparing applications efficiently and advising whether priority processing is suitable.

Sponsor Licence Rating

If the licence is granted:

• Most sponsors are awarded an ‘A’ rating
• UK Expansion Worker sponsors may receive a ‘Provisional’ rating initially

The employer will be given access to the Sponsor Management System (SMS) to:

• Assign Certificates of Sponsorship
• Report relevant updates (e.g. if a worker fails to attend work)

If the employer fails to comply with sponsor duties (such as right-to-work checks), the licence may be downgraded, suspended, or revoked.

The solicitors can provide post-licence compliance support to help businesses maintain their licence in good standing.

How the Solicitors Can Help

The solicitors assist UK businesses by providing:

• A tailored eligibility assessment
• A full document checklist aligned with Home Office requirements
• Drafting of the Sponsor Licence application and supporting statements
• Guidance on Key Personnel appointments and SMS usage
• Ongoing compliance support after the licence is granted

Whether a business is expanding into the UK, hiring skilled workers, or seeking help with maintaining an existing licence, the solicitors offer clear, practical advice based on the most up-to-date immigration rules.

Contact us today to connect you with the best Immigration Solicitor in London