How to Obtain a Sponsor Licence for Business Immigration
Growing your business in the UK usually involves recruiting talent from outside the UK and Ireland. However, in order for a business to recruit non-UK or non-Irish nationals, it must gain official approval from the UK Home Office, a process that, in the UK, is often referred to as obtaining a Sponsor Licence. Public approval by the UK Home Office (also known as sponsorship) serves as the green light for businesses as they temporarily recruit workers from outside the UK and Ireland. In this article, we will explore what a Sponsor Licence is in the UK, the importance of obtaining a sponsor licence and the steps to obtaining a Sponsor Licence for your organisation.
What is a Sponsor Licence?
A Sponsor Licence is a permit from the UK Home Office that allows employers to recruit foreign workers under the Skilled Worker visa or other sponsored visa categories. Without this licence, it is not legal for any business to employ a worker from abroad, outside of the UK or Ireland.
If your company has a Sponsor Licence, your business has been granted approved sponsor status and, therefore, can assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to skilled workers from overseas who meet the eligibility criteria. Candidates must hold a CoS in order to submit their UK visa application.
Why Do Businesses Need Sponsor Licences in UK?
As part of the global economy, businesses need to employ skilled workers, many of whom may not be available in the local labour market. No matter whether you are running a tech startup, a healthcare organisation, or a construction firm, you will need access to international talent in order to grow your company.
A Sponsor Licence in UK allows your business to:
Consult skilled workers from “overseas” recruitment.
Hire skilled workers to fill a job role without local candidates available.
Expand your workforce with global experience.
Establish a proven reputation of compliance where the legitimate use of work visas is provided.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Applying for a Sponsor Licence in UK
- Assess your needs
Decide on the job roles that you wish to fill and consider whether they fit the Skilled Worker visa or whether there are other routes available.
- Gather your documentation
The application requires supporting documents such as business registration documents, VAT registration, evidence of business premises, and HR policies.
- Application Process
Complete the online Sponsor Licence application form via the UK Home Office website; you will also need to pay an application fee, which varies depending on the size of your organisation (small/charitable sponsors pay a lower fee).
- Provide Supporting Documents
Once submitted your maintain your application, you will need to supply your supporting documentation within five working days.
- Home Office Review
The Home Office will review your application; this could involve a compliance visit, where they assess your HR systems and processes.
- Decision
If your application is granted, your organization will be added to the list of sponsor licensees. Your licence is typically valid for four years. If your application was refused, you can re-apply again after you have fixed the grounds for refusal.
Obligations of a Sponsor Licence Holder
Once your organization has a Sponsor Licence in the UK, you will have some obligations as an employer. Employers must do the following:
Maintain the record of the sponsored workers.
Report a change in the sponsored worker’s employment circumstances to the Home Office.
Ensure employees comply with visa requirements.
Continuously comply or be subjected to suspension or revocation of the licence.
If you fail to meet your obligations, penalties and fines will be levied or the licence may be revoked, which may result in the inability to recruit international workers.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Sponsor Licence?
Typically, it takes the Home Office about 8 weeks to make a decision on a Sponsor Licence application. However, businesses will be able to pay for a priority service to accelerate a decision (typically within 10 working days), although this service is limited.
Common Reasons for Refusal
Many businesses fail in applying for a Sponsor Licence because they make avoidable mistakes in their application. Some common mistakes are:
Incomplete or incorrect documentation.
Weak HR or record keeping systems.
History of non-compliance with immigration law.
In the UK, applying for a Sponsor Licence is an essential part of any company seeking to hire workers from overseas. Although the process requires careful management, the benefits are significant. Having the proper paperwork in place, along with robust HR systems to ensure compliance, would enable your business to obtain a Sponsor Licence and start to recruit skilled workers from any part of the globe.
If your business is ready to expand its global outlook and tap into a global labour market, your immediate next step should be to consider applying for a Sponsor Licence. Doing so both demonstrates compliance with the UK immigration rules and increases your status of being a competitive and accommodating employer.