UK Sponsorship Licence is essential for any employer wanting to hire skilled workers from outside the UK. This licence allows you to sponsor workers for various visa categories, primarily the Skilled Worker visa. With the end of free movement, even EU workers now require sponsorship for most roles.

What is UK Sponsorship Licence?

A UK Sponsorship Licence is permission from the UK government that allows a business to hire workers from outside the UK, including most EU citizens.

What can you do with a UK Sponsorship Licence?

• Sponsor skilled workers for a UK work visa

• Assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to foreign workers. This is what they need to apply for a visa

• Support existing staff who need visa help to stay

• Hire people from anywhere in the world for approved roles

• Fill skill gaps when local candidates aren’t available

UK Sponsorship Licence eligibility requirements

To qualify for a Sponsorship Licence, your organization must:

• Be based and trading legally in the UK

• Have no serious history of immigration issues

• Be able to show proper HR systems — like tracking absences, keeping records, and checking visa expiry dates

• Offer genuine, skilled jobs that meet salary and job-level requirements

• Follow all UK laws and rules

People you must assign to manage the UK Sponsorship Licence

You must appoint key personnel to manage the licence:

• Authorising Officer: Senior person responsible for everything

• Key Contact: Main point of contact with the Home Office

• Level 1 User: Person who handles daily tasks in the system (like assigning CoS and reporting changes)

• Level 2 User: Optional helper for admin tasks

These people must be trustworthy and usually based in the UK.

What documents you’ll need

You’ll need to provide documents to prove:

• Your business is active and trading

• You have business premises

• You have employer’s insurance

• You’re registered with HMRC

• You use proper HR procedures

Usually, at least four different documents are needed. We make sure everything is in the right format before applying.

How to apply for UK Sponsorship Licence

Here is how the application works

1. Check if you’re eligible

2. Gather documents

3. Apply online

4. Pay the licence fee (small companies pay less than large ones)

5. Upload your documents

6. A Home Office visit may happen to check your business

7. You get a decision in 8 weeks (or 10 working days with fast-track service)

After you get the licence

Once approved, your business must:

• Keep records on all sponsored workers

• Track their visa status and absences

• Report changes (like someone leaving or changing role) within 10 working days

• Pay the Immigration Skills Charge each year for every sponsored worker

• Be ready for Home Office checks — they may visit with or without notice

If you break any rules, your licence can be suspended or taken away.