Sponsor Licence Application

Under current UK immigration rules, businesses must hold a valid Home Office sponsorship licence to employ non-UK resident employees. This includes citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland who arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020. As applying for a sponsorship licence requires a series of documentation and a long application process, the preparation of the entire application is also complicated.

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Types of Work Visas

The type of Sponsor Licence a UK employer needs to apply for depends on the immigration route under which they intend to sponsor overseas employees to enter and work in the UK.

The Skilled Worker Visa is currently the most commonly used work visa route in the UK.

The Scale-up Worker Visa, on the other hand, is designed specifically for companies that meet the UK government’s definition of a “high-growth business”—that is, businesses that have achieved a specified rate of growth in both employee numbers and turnover over the past three years.

Both visa routes require the company to hold a corresponding Sponsor Licence before it can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to eligible overseas employees.

Before granting a sponsor licence, the Home Office conducts a comprehensive assessment of the applicant organisation’s eligibility and suitability.

Whether applying for a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence or a Scale-up Sponsor Licence, the organisation is generally required to meet the following conditions:

The business must be genuinely trading and lawfully operating within the UK.
The company must have a registered office or main place of business in the UK.
The company must be able to offer a genuine job that meets the visa standards (typically at RQF Level 6 or above) and satisfies the relevant salary threshold.
The company must have robust HR and recruitment systems in place to fulfil its sponsorship duties.
The organisation, its shareholders, directors, and designated Key Personnel must have no relevant criminal record and be deemed fit and proper to hold a sponsor licence.
The company must not have a history of non-compliance with immigration or employment laws, and must not pose a threat to UK immigration control.

Once the application is approved, the Home Office will assign the organisation a Sponsor Licence Rating.

A licensed sponsor may then issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to eligible employees for visa applications.

The sponsor licence is valid for 10 years (for both the Skilled Worker and Scale-up categories). The employer must maintain compliance with sponsorship and reporting duties throughout the validity period.

The Home Office may conduct compliance checks at any time. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in the sponsor licence being downgraded, suspended, or revoked.

Depending on the nature and business model of the company, additional eligibility requirements or supporting documents may be required.

It is strongly recommended that employers seek professional immigration advice before applying for a sponsor licence, to ensure full compliance with the latest Home Office policies and growth criteria applicable to their specific route.

Sponsor Licence Application Requirements

Why 1st Visa?

1/ Extensive Experience in Visa Applications

We excel in handling sponsor licence applications for skilled workers. Our immigration experts have processed numerous sponsor licence applications and possess rich professional knowledge to offer advice on document applications.

2/ Handling Complex Applications

Our experienced specialists have dealt with various complex situations that arise during the application process. They assist companies in preparing application materials and promptly address and resolve unexpected issues that may arise during the application, thereby minimising the risk of rejection. We strive to achieve positive visa application results for our client companies. Additionally, we provide transparent services, allowing companies to track the progress of their applications at any time.

3/ Numerous Successful Cases

Since our establishment, countless successful cases have endorsed our brand and services. Our stellar reputation in the industry is built on high success rates, high satisfaction levels, and strong recommendations from our clients.