Overview
You’ll usually need a sponsor licence to employ someone to work for you from outside the UK. This includes citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland who arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020. This includes unpaid work, like running a charity. You will not need a licence to sponsor certain groups, for example:
- Irish citizens
- Those with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- Those with indefinite leave to remain in the UK
Timeline Process for a Company to Get a Licence
1. Preparation
Assess eligibility and gather necessary documents. Appoint individuals for sponsorship management roles. Prepare to demonstrate the suitability of the job positions and compliance with regulations.
2. Application Submission
Complete the online application form. Pay the appropriate application fee.
3. Home Office Review
The Home Office reviews the application and may conduct a compliance visit to verify the information and systems. This stage can take up to 8 weeks from the date of submission.
4. Decision
If approved, the company will receive an A-rating sponsor licence, which allows them to start issuing Certificates of Sponsorship. If the application is denied, the company will receive feedback and can address the issues for future reapplication.
5. Ongoing Compliance
Once granted, the company must maintain compliance with sponsorship duties and keep records up-to-date. Periodic audits and reviews may be conducted by the Home Office to ensure ongoing compliance.
Requirements
Eligibility
To apply for a sponsor licence, you must:
- Cannot have unspent criminal convictions for immigration offences or certain other crimes.
- Must not have had a sponsor licence revoked in the last 12 months.
- Need appropriate systems in place to monitor sponsored workers.
Job Suitability
The job you are offering must comply with UK minimum wage and working time regulations and must meet the criteria needed for the worker’s visa.
Sponsorship Management Roles
You must appoint people to manage the sponsorship process using the Sponsorship Management System (SMS):
- Authorising officer
- Key contact
- Level 1 user (responsible for day-to-day management)
- Optional Level 2 user with more restricted access
Suitability Checks
You and your staff must be suitable for the roles. You must be based in the UK most of the time and cannot be a contractor or consultant contracted for a specific project.
Costs
Licence Fees
The fees for applying for a sponsor licence are as follows:
- Worker Licence: £536 for small or charitable sponsors, £1,476 for medium or large sponsors.
- Temporary Worker Licence: £536.
- Combined Worker and Temporary Worker Licence: £536 for small or charitable sponsors, £1,476 for medium or large sponsors.
- Adding a Worker Licence to an existing Temporary Worker Licence: No fee for small or charitable sponsors, £940 for medium or large sponsors.
- Adding a Temporary Worker Licence to an existing Worker Licence: No fee.
Immigration Skills Charge
Based on the size of your organisation and the length of the worker's employment:
- Small or charitable sponsors: £364 for the first 12 months, £182 for each additional 6 months.
- Medium or large sponsors: £1,000 for the first 12 months, £500 for each additional 6 months.
Certificates of Sponsorship (COS)
Types of Certificates
- Defined Certificates: For Skilled Worker visa applications from outside the UK.
- Undefined Certificates: For Skilled Workers applying from inside the UK and applicants on all other visas.
Costs per Certificate
- Worker (except International Sportsperson): £239.
- Temporary Worker: £25.
- International Sportsperson (more than 12 months): £239.
- International Sportsperson (12 months or less): £25.
Assignment and Usage
Each foreign worker must be assigned a certificate of sponsorship. Workers must use the certificate to apply for their visa within 3 months. The certificate costs depend on the type of sponsor licence.
