UK Sponsor Licence

If your business needs a sponsor licence to recruit skilled workers or health and care professionals from outside the UK, it is essential to obtain one from the Home Office before making any job offers. A licence allows your company to legally employ international talent, comply with immigration regulations, and maintain your business’s reputation while avoiding legal penalties.

Our experienced immigration solicitors in London are here to help with all types of UK visas, asylum, nationality, appeals, or immigration issues. Call us today on 02039300554 to speak with our London immigration solicitors or book an appointment online for a confidential consultation.

What is a UK Sponsor Licence?

A sponsor licence is an official authorisation granted by the UK Home Office that allows UK employers to recruit and employ skilled workers, healthcare professionals, and other eligible employees from overseas under specific visa categories. This licence is a legal requirement for any business that wishes to sponsor international staff, ensuring that the recruitment of foreign workers complies with UK immigration laws. Without a valid licence, a business cannot legally offer jobs to skilled workers from abroad, and failing to comply can result in substantial fines, licence revocation, or other penalties. Obtaining a sponsor licence demonstrates that your company meets strict Home Office standards, including having robust HR systems, proper record-keeping, and processes to monitor sponsored employees.

A sponsor licence opens the door to a range of visa categories, including Skilled Worker visas and Health and Care Worker visas, making it easier for businesses to hire in sectors with labour shortages. Properly managing a licence also requires ongoing compliance with Home Office regulations, which helps prevent penalties and ensures your company maintains its ability to hire international staff smoothly.

Who Needs a Sponsor Licence?

You need a sponsor licence if your organisation plans to:

  • Hire skilled workers from outside the UK.
  • Employ health and care professionals from overseas.
  • Transfer staff under the Global Business Mobility route.

A licence is essential for any business that wants to legally recruit international talent under these visa categories. Without it, your organisation cannot sponsor workers from abroad, and attempting to do so could result in legal penalties.

You do not need a sponsor licence to employ individuals who have the right to work in the UK, including those with:

  • British or Irish citizenship.
  • Settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
  • Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Having a valid sponsor licence ensures your organisation complies with UK immigration laws while giving you access to a wider pool of skilled international workers, helping to fill critical roles and grow your business efficiently.

Applying For a Sponsor Licence

To hire skilled workers or health and care professionals from outside the UK, businesses must apply for a sponsor licence through the UK Home Office. Obtaining a licence is a crucial step for any organisation that wants to legally employ international talent, and the application process requires demonstrating that your business meets strict eligibility and compliance criteria.

When applying for a sponsor licence, your organisation must provide evidence that:

  • The business is genuine, legally operating in the UK, and has a valid trading presence.
  • Robust systems are in place to monitor and manage sponsored employees in accordance with Home Office rules.
  • Proper HR procedures exist to maintain accurate records, track visa compliance, and meet all reporting obligations.

The Home Office carefully reviews each application to ensure that your organisation can responsibly sponsor overseas workers. This process helps maintain the integrity of the UK’s immigration system while allowing businesses to access skilled international talent.

Once approved, a licence is usually valid for four years. During this period, your organisation can recruit eligible overseas workers under relevant visa categories, including Skilled Worker visas and Health and Care Worker visas. After four years, the sponsor licence can be renewed, enabling your business to continue benefiting from international recruitment without interruption.

Holding a valid sponsor licence not only allows you to hire from a global talent pool but also demonstrates that your organisation meets high compliance standards, helping to avoid fines, refusals, or licence revocation. Properly managing your sponsor licence ensures smooth operations and long-term access to skilled overseas employees, giving your business a competitive advantage in the UK and international labour markets.

To obtain a sponsor licence and legally hire skilled workers or health and care professionals from overseas, your business must meet the eligibility requirements set by the UK Home Office. These requirements ensure that only genuine, compliant organisations are able to sponsor international staff.

To qualify for a sponsor licence, your business must:

  • Be a genuine UK organisation operating legally
  • Have no history of immigration offence, fraud or non-compliance
  • Appoint key personnel to manage the licence
  • Show that you can meet your compliance duties as a sponsor (record-keeping, reporting monitoring employees)

Meeting these requirements is essential not only for obtaining a sponsor licence but also for maintaining it over time. Compliance safeguards your business from penalties, licence suspension, or revocation, while enabling you to legally recruit and manage skilled international workers efficiently. Book an appointment today with our Immigration solicitors to avoid delays, refusals, or costly mistakes in your application.

Processing Time For Application

  • Standard application usually decided in 8 weeks
  • Priority Service may be available for an additional fee, giving a decision in around 10 working days
  • Complex applications or those requiring a compliance visit may take longer

Compliance and Obligations for a Sponsor Licence

Obtaining a licence is only the first step. Maintaining it requires ongoing compliance with the UK Home Office’s rules and regulations. Holding a licence comes with several important responsibilities designed to ensure that businesses manage international employees lawfully and effectively.

Key compliance and ongoing obligations include:

  • Keeping accurate records of all sponsored employees
  • Reporting changes in employment or employee status
  • Ensuring sponsored workers comply with visa conditions

Failing to meet these obligations can result in serious consequences, including licence suspension, revocation, or financial penalties. Proper compliance not only protects your ability to hire internationally but also safeguards your business’s reputation and standing with regulatory authorities.

By consistently fulfilling these duties, businesses can maximise the benefits of their sponsor licence, including access to a global talent pool and the ability to fill critical skills gaps efficiently and legally.

Documents Needed for Sponsor Licence Application

When applying for a UK Sponsor Licence, you must provide specific supporting documents to prove that your business is genuine, compliant, and capable of meeting the sponsor duties. The exact documents required depend on the nature of your organisation, but typically include:

  • Latest business bank statements
  • Employers’ liability insurance certificate
  • VAT registration certificate
  • HMRC registration document (PAYE reference, accounts office reference)
  • Evidence of trading presence (lease, invoices, contracts)

It is essential to provide original or certified copies of these documents. Submitting incomplete or incorrect documentation can lead to delays or even a refusal of your sponsor licence application.

Why Choose Our Immigration Solicitors In London?

Are you looking for trusted immigration solicitors in London to help you with your UK visa or immigration matter? Here are a few good reasons of why you should choose our immigration solicitors:

  • Our team of expert immigration solicitors in London has years of experience handling all types of UK visa and immigration matters.
  • We offer clear and competitive fees with flexible payment options, so you know exactly what to expect—no hidden costs.
  • Every case is different. We give personalised advice and solutions based on your unique situation.
  • We respond quickly, keep you updated, and work to meet all Home Office deadlines.
  • Whether it’s a Skilled Worker visa, Spouse visa, or British citizenship—we handle all UK immigration applications and appeals.
  • Our London immigration lawyers have a strong track record in winning difficult cases, including visa refusals and Judicial Reviews.
  • You can speak to our solicitors via phone, video call, or email—no need to travel to our office.
  • We are fully regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, ensuring you get trusted and professional legal services.
  • Need urgent help? We offer same-day appointments to assist with last-minute applications or legal emergencies.
  • We help UK employers with Sponsor Licences, Skilled Worker visas, and compliance with immigration law.
  • Our office is based in London, Croydon, easily accessible by public transport for in-person appointments.

FAQ – UK Sponsor Licence Application

How can I get a sponsorship license in the UK?

To obtain a UK sponsorship licence, a UK-based employer must apply online to the Home Office, proving a genuine need for migrant labour, having established HR systems, and possessing valid UK registration and insurance.

What is the new rule for sponsorship in the UK?

New UK sponsorship rules introduced from July 2025 significantly raise the skill level required for Skilled Worker visas, generally mandating sponsorship for jobs skilled at RQF Level 6 (graduate level) or above, unless on specific lists like the Immigration Salary List. Employers must possess a Home Office sponsor licence and assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The route also limits medium-skilled jobs (RQF Levels 3-5) from being sponsored, ending exemptions for social care roles, and introduces stricter compliance for student sponsor licences.

Can I sponsor myself in the UK?

Yes, you can essentially sponsor yourself to work in the UK by establishing a UK company, obtaining a Sponsor Licence for it, and then using that licence to issue yourself a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This process allows you to apply for a Skilled Worker visa, although it’s not a specific “self-sponsorship visa” but rather a method of using your own business to meet visa requirements. You’ll need to demonstrate your business is genuine, financially viable, and able to meet salary obligations for the role you’re filling. 

Can I start my own business on a Skilled Worker visa in the UK?

Yes, a skilled worker can do some business activities in the UK, but with significant limitations. You can undertake “supplementary work” for up to 20 hours a week, provided the work is in an eligible occupation code (the same or another higher-skilled role) or on the immigration salary list. This allows for some entrepreneurial ventures, but you cannot run your own company full-time while on a Skilled Worker visa.

Can I work 20 hours extra on a Skilled Worker visa?

Yes, you can work up to 20 hours per week in a second, supplementary job on a Skilled Worker visa, as long as it’s in an occupation on the Appendix Immigration Salary List (or the same profession), and you continue to work in your sponsored job. You do not need a new Certificate of Sponsorship or to inform the Home Office for this supplementary work.