Sponsor Licence
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Sponsor Licence Application
The UK Sponsor Licence: A Key for Hiring Overseas Talent
A UK Sponsor Licence is an official approval from the Home Office that enables UK employers to sponsor non-UK nationals for specific work visas, such as the Skilled Worker and Temporary Worker visas.
- Organisations of all sizes and sectors can apply, provided they meet the business and job suitability criteria set by the Home Office.
- Employers must submit an application, pay a fee, and prove their ability to comply with sponsor duties, including record-keeping and immigration rule adherence.
Key Points:
The licence allows employers to issue Certificates of Sponsorship, enabling foreign workers to apply for work visas.
Once granted, the
Sponsor Licence is issued indefinitely, meaning there’s no need for renewal after April 2024.
The licence is crucial for hiring skilled workers from outside the UK, including citizens from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland who arrived after 31 December 2020.
Make your UK immigration process simple with our experienced UK immigration lawyers
Types of Sponsor Licences
A UK Sponsor Licence allows employers to sponsor both long-term and temporary workers from outside the UK. The type of licence required depends on the nature and duration of the employment and the visa route under which the worker will enter the UK.
1. Worker Sponsor Licences
A Worker Sponsor Licence is for employers hiring individuals for long-term or permanent roles. These visas are typically for skilled workers.
Key Categories of Worker Visas
2. Temporary Worker Sponsor Licences
A Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence is for employers looking to hire individuals for temporary or short-term roles. These visas are designed for workers on temporary assignments.
Key Categories of Temporary Worker Visas
Choosing the Right Sponsor Licence UK:
What Do You Need to Get a Sponsor Licence?
To successfully apply for a UK Sponsor Licence, organisations must meet both eligibility and suitability criteria. The Home Office assesses these factors to ensure that employers can fulfil their duties as sponsors and comply with immigration laws. Failure to meet these criteria will result in a refused application.
1. Sponsor Licence Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for a Sponsor Licence, organisations must demonstrate the following:
a. The Organisation is Genuine and Operating Lawfully in the UK
- Your organisation must be a legitimate, operational entity. Limited companies must be registered with Companies House.
- There are no specific requirements regarding how long the business has been trading, but it is essential that the organisation operates lawfully in the UK.
- A UK-based representative must be available to liaise with the Home Office regarding the application.
b. Financial Stability
- The organisation must be financially stable and able to support sponsored workers.
- You may be required to submit financial documents such as audited accounts or bank statements to prove the business's ability to pay the salaries of sponsored employees and meet immigration obligations.
c. Compliance with UK Employment Laws
- The organisation must fully comply with all UK employment laws, including those related to wages, working conditions, and non-discrimination, ensuring that sponsored employees are treated fairly.
d. The Organisation is Based in the UK
- Organisations must have a physical presence in the UK, whether it is an office, warehouse, or another type of premises.
- Virtual businesses can still apply, provided they can demonstrate they can meet sponsor duties effectively.
2. Sponsor Licence Suitability Criteria
The Home Office will also assess whether your organisation is suitable to sponsor foreign workers. You must meet the following criteria:
a. Genuine, Qualifying Vacancy
- The job roles you wish to sponsor must be genuine, meet the required skill level (typically at RQF Level 3 or higher), and adhere to the salary thresholds set by the Home Office.
- You must be able to prove the job exists, and that it is not a “pretend” vacancy designed solely to meet immigration requirements.
b. Sponsorship Compliance
- Your organisation must demonstrate that it has the necessary HR and recruitment systems in place to comply with sponsorship duties.
- This may include keeping accurate records of sponsored employees, ensuring their conditions of employment meet UK standards, and reporting any changes or issues to the Home Office.
c. Honest, Dependable, and Reliable
- The Home Office will check that your organisation, directors, and key personnel are honest, dependable, and reliable.
- You must not have any unspent criminal convictions or history of non-compliance with immigration laws.
d. No History of Breaching Immigration Laws
- Your organisation must have no previous history of breaching immigration laws or regulations, which could jeopardise your application.
e. Appropriate Licencing and Planning Permissions
- If applicable, your organisation must hold the necessary planning permissions or Local Planning Authority consent for the business premises, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
3. General and Route-Specific Requirements for UK Sponsor Licence
General Requirements for Sponsor Licence
Your organisation must meet the following general criteria:
- Be a genuine organisation operating lawfully in the UK.
- Demonstrate that you are honest, dependable, and reliable, and have not engaged in any behaviour contrary to public good.
- Be capable of carrying out your sponsor duties and showing evidence of compliance.
Route-Specific Requirements for Sponsor Licence
Depending on the immigration route you wish to sponsor workers under, additional specific requirements must be met. For example, for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence, you will need to show:
- The role is at the required skill level (usually RQF Level 3 or above).
- The salary meets the relevant threshold for the Skilled Worker visa.
- You are not hiring for a third-party role but are directly employing the worker.
For organisations seeking to apply for a UK Expansion Worker sponsor licence, the requirements include:
- The overseas business must have been trading for at least three years and must be actively expanding into the UK.
- The expansion must be of the same type of business that the overseas business conducts, and you must establish a UK presence within two years.
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Documents Required for a Sponsor Licence Application
When applying for a UK Sponsor Licence, you must provide specific supporting documents to demonstrate that your organisation meets the Home Office's eligibility and suitability criteria. Below is a summary of the mandatory documents and additional information typically required.
Mandatory Documents (Appendix A)
You must submit at least four mandatory documents to prove your organisation is genuine and operates lawfully in the UK. These could include:
- Latest audited annual accounts.
- Employer’s liability insurance certificate.
- Certificate of VAT registration.
- Latest corporate bank account statement.
- HMRC registration evidence (PAYE number, etc.).
- Evidence of business premises (ownership or lease).
These documents show your organisation’s financial stability and compliance with UK laws.
Additional Supporting Information
In addition to the mandatory documents, you must provide:
- Reason for applying and industry details.
- Operating hours and organisation chart (with details of owners, directors, and employees).
- Job details for the roles you intend to sponsor, including job title, SOC code, description, and salary.
Specific Requirements for Sponsorship Routes
Additional documents are needed depending on the visa type:
- Skilled Worker visa: Job title, job description, and salary.
- Religious Worker visa: Congregation size, clergy count, and worship schedule.
- UK Expansion Worker visa: Proof of three years’ overseas trading and planned UK expansion.
Submission and Timeframe
Documents must be submitted within five working days of your online application. Originals are preferred, but certified copies may be accepted. You may also be asked for additional documents if required.
Head Office or Branches
Decide whether to apply for a single sponsor licence covering all branches or individual licences for each. A single licence is easier to manage but applies penalties to all branches if issues arise.
How to Apply for Sponsor Licence?
Step 1Check Your Eligibility
Before applying, ensure your business meets the eligibility criteria. You must be a legitimate, active business with a registered office or trading address in the UK. Your company should also comply with UK immigration laws and be able to demonstrate that you have appropriate HR systems in place to manage and monitor sponsored workers.Step-2Choose the Correct Type of Sponsor Licence
You need to decide whether you are applying for a Worker Sponsor Licence (for hiring skilled workers) or a Student Sponsor Licence (for sponsoring international students). Each type of licence has different requirements and permits you to sponsor different categories of individuals.Step-3Prepare Required Documents
Gather the necessary documents to support your application, including proof of business registration, evidence of your trading address, and details of your HR and recruitment systems. You must also be able to show your compliance with legal obligations for employing migrant workers.Step-4Create an Account with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
You’ll need to create an online account with UKVI. This will allow you to complete and submit the application form for your Sponsor Licence.Step-5Complete the Application Form
Fill in the online application form with the required details about your business and the key personnel responsible for managing sponsorship. You’ll also need to provide the type of licence you're applying for.Step-6Pay the Application Fee
The fee for a Sponsor Licence depends on the size and type of your business:- Small or charitable sponsors: £536
- Small or charitable sponsors: £536
The fee is non-refundable, even if your application is unsuccessful, so ensure all your details are accurate.
Step-7Submit Supporting Documents
After completing the application form, you will need to submit the supporting documents to UKVI. Make sure these are in the correct format and meet the Home Office's requirements.Step-8Compliance Visit (If required)
In some cases, UKVI may conduct a visit to your business premises to ensure compliance with immigration and sponsorship rules. Prepare for this by ensuring your records and processes are in order.Step-9Receive Your Sponsor Licence
Once approved, you will receive your Sponsor Licence, valid for four years. This licence will allow you to issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to employees and students.Step-10Maintain Compliance
After receiving your licence, you must continue to meet the Home Office’s compliance requirements. This includes keeping accurate records of your sponsored employees, reporting any changes in their status, and following the duties set out by UKVI.
Cost of UK Sponsor Licence
The cost of a UK Sponsor Licence varies depending on the size and type of your organisation.
For small businesses and charities, the fee is £536, provided the organisation meets at least two of the following criteria:
- An annual turnover of £10.2 million or less.
- Total assets worth £5.1 million or less.
- Fewer than 50 employees.
For medium and large businesses, the fee is £1,476.
Processing Time to Get a UK Sponsor Licence
- Typical processing time: Up to 8 weeks.
- Priority service: Available for an additional fee of £500, offering a decision within 10 working days.
- Factors affecting processing time: Pre-licence compliance visits, supporting documents, availability of key personnel, and processing of sponsored worker's application.
UK Sponsor Licence Ratings
A UK sponsor licence rating is a classification assigned by the Home Office to businesses authorised to sponsor foreign workers in the United Kingdom. This rating indicates the company's adherence to immigration laws and its ability to fulfil its sponsorship duties.
The Two Primary Ratings:
- A-rating: This indicates full compliance with all sponsorship requirements. Companies with an A-rating can issue certificates of sponsorship to potential employees.
- B-rating: This signifies a failure to comply with certain sponsorship duties. Companies with a B-rating are restricted from issuing new certificates of sponsorship until they rectify the issues and are upgraded to an A-rating.
Consequences of a Downgrade:
If a company's rating is downgraded to a B-rating, the following actions are taken:
- Action Plan: The company must pay a fee of £1,476 to receive an action plan outlining the steps required to address non-compliance.
- Reassessment: The company has three months to implement the action plan and demonstrate improvements.
- Re-rating: If the company successfully completes the action plan, it will be upgraded to an A-rating. Failure to do so will result in another B-rating and the requirement to pay for and complete another action plan.
- Revocation: Persistent non-compliance can lead to the revocation of the sponsor's licence, preventing the company from sponsoring foreign workers in the future.
Your Responsibilities as a UK Visa Sponsor
As an employer sponsoring overseas workers in the UK, you have several crucial responsibilities to fulfil. These responsibilities are essential for ensuring compliance with immigration laws and regulations.
Before Hiring:
- Assess Eligibility: Ensure that the role you are offering is suitable for sponsorship under UK immigration rules.
- Check Qualifications: Verify that the candidate possesses the necessary skills and qualifications for the position.
- Conduct Right-to-Work Checks: Ensure that the candidate has the legal right to work in the UK.
- Prepare Documentation: Gather all required documentation, including the candidate's passport, visa, and employment history.
After Hiring:
- Maintain Records: Keep accurate and up-to-date records of each sponsored worker, including their contact details, address, immigration status, and employment details.
- Report Changes: Inform the Home Office of any changes to the sponsored worker's employment or immigration status.
- Ensure Compliance: Ensure that the sponsored worker is complying with the terms and conditions of their visa and UK employment laws.
- Monitor Progress: Regularly monitor the sponsored worker's performance and ensure they are meeting the requirements of their role.
- Prevent Abuse: Take steps to prevent the abuse of the sponsorship system.
Get All the Assistance
You Need to Obtain Your UK Sponsor Licence!
How Can Westend Consultants Help?
With over 15 years of experience and OISC regulation, Westend Consultants is a leading immigration consultancy firm in the UK dedicated to helping businesses successfully obtain UK sponsor licences. Our expertise ensures that you receive comprehensive guidance and support throughout the entire sponsor licence application process.
We offer tailored advice, efficient services, and compliance expertise to help you navigate the complexities of UK immigration law. Trust West End Consultants to be your partner in securing your sponsor's licence and attracting top talent from around the world.
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