Employers in the UK must obtain a Sponsor Licenses before they can hire any foreign workers using a Skilled Worker Visa. The common question asked by employers trying to obtain their sponsor license is whether it’s actually difficult to get a Sponsor License in the UK.
The answer is somewhat complicated. Obtaining a sponsor license is not necessarily “difficult”; however, it does require thorough preparation, compliance with very inflexible rules set forth by the UK Home Office and having all of the proper documents on hand for review. The purpose of this blog post is to review and examine all of the items you’ll need for your application process to get you prepared as fully as possible before submitting your application.
What is a UK Sponsor License?
A UK Sponsor License is an authorization issued by the UK Home Office to UK-based businesses granting them the ability to hire foreign nationals from other nations. Once the license is granted, the business will become a licensed sponsor and will have the ability to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to any foreign worker who meets the criteria of the application process for the Skilled Worker Visa program.
The overall goal of the sponsorship license system is to assist genuine businesses to recruit foreign nationals and to assist the employer and employee comply with the law related to immigration into the UK while allowing legitimate employers to remain able to employ skilled foreign workers in their business.
How Hard is it to Obtain a Sponsored License?
Obtaining a sponsorship license will not pose much difficulty but will require going through an established application procedure and adhering to a number of prescribed criteria for eligibility. Many applications are delayed or refused due to missing documents, poor systems of management for recruitment or HR and a lack of compliance with immigration rules and regulations.
Some of the main issues that might be challenging to demonstrate include:
Being able to show that your business is genuine and is operating in the UK.
Establishing that your organisation’s human resource management and recruiting procedures are working efficiently.
Ensuring that the job descriptions meet established guidelines regarding salaries and skills.
Ensuring compliance with UK immigration regulations.
If you successfully demonstrate all of the above-mentioned issues and can complete an application properly, your chances of approval are very high.
Requirements for a UK Sponsorship License
When applying for a Sponsor License, there are multiple requirements that a business must fulfil that have been established by the Home Office in the UK.
1. Must Be A Real UK Business
The Business must be a legitimate business; it must be registered and operating in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, and required documentation could include:
Company registration; certificate of incorporation
VAT registration
Business bank statements
Evidence of PAYE registration as an employer
2. Location of Necessary HR Systems
You need to demonstrate that you can maintain records of sponsored employees, including evidence of:
Amount and type of time worked (e.g., attendance)
Contact details for all employees
Visa status of all sponsored employees
3. Required Key Personnel
When applying for a sponsor licence, you need to appoint the following key personnel:
Authorising officer – This individual will be responsible for ensuring the compliance of the entire organisation.
Key contact – This individual will be the primary contact with the Home Office.
Level 1 user – This individual will manage the online sponsorship system.
These individuals must be trustworthy and located within the UK.
4. Genuine Job Opening
An organisation must ensure that the role being offered to sponsored workers meets the requirements of the UK skilled worker visa, which include:
Minimum base salary
Potential for career advancement
Genuine role
Common reasons that sponsor licence applications are rejected
Though many companies receive a sponsor licence, there are many reasons that an application for a licence might be refused due to problems with the application’s accuracy and/or compliance with UK immigration legislation.
Here are some common causes of refusal:
1. Incomplete documentation
A primary reason for refusal is missing documentation in support of an application.
2. Inadequate HR compliance systems
If the Home Office has concerns about your company being able to comply with the sponsorship obligations to monitor sponsored employees accurately, then you may be denied approval for this reason.
3. Non-genuine vacancies
The role you offer must be one that is real and necessary for your organisation. If a role is fabricated or is created only for the purpose of gaining approval for a sponsor licence, the application could be denied.
4. Previous compliance breaches related to immigration
Any organisation that has a history of non-compliance in the area of immigration will have a much more difficult time getting approved for a sponsor licence.
Procedures for Applying for a Sponsor Licence in the UK
To apply for a sponsor licence there are a number of stages to completing your application:
- Gather Documents for Submission
Before submitting your application, ensure you have collected all the documents that may be required by the UK Home Office.
- Complete the Online Application
You need to submit your online application via the UK Home Office official portal.
- Pay the Application Fee
The fee for the application will vary according to business size:
Multi-entity/corporate small sponsors = less expensive
Multi-entity/corporate medium/large sponsors = more inexpensive
- Upload Supporting Documents
All supporting documentation should usually be uploaded within 5 working days of your online application.
- Possible Compliance Visit
In some instances, application decisions may be delayed to allow for a compliance check on the company’s HR systems.
How Long Will It Take to Get a Sponsor Licence?
Typically, it takes around 8 weeks to receive your sponsor licence however businesses can apply for priority service, if there are available slots, to receive a quicker decision.
During the review of your application will determine whether or not the business meets all immigration requirements and will also conduct a review of the business’s performance to determine whether they have the necessary standards to support immigration compliance.
Tips to Secure Successful Approval
To assist with obtaining a sponsor licence approval, potential sponsors should consider implementing the following ideas:
Ensure all supporting documents are original and complete
Establish documented processes for HR and Compliance
Assign reliable individuals as key management personnel
Provide evidence of a credible operating state
FAQs
- How long does it take to get a UK sponsor licence?
Typically, it takes around 8 weeks for the UK Home Office to process a sponsor licence application.
- Can small businesses apply for a sponsor licence?
Yes, small businesses and startups can apply if they meet the eligibility and compliance requirements.
- What happens if a sponsor licence application is refused?
If refused, the company may need to wait before reapplying depending on the reason for refusal.
- Do companies need a sponsor licence for all foreign workers?
No. A sponsor licence is mainly required for workers applying under routes such as the UK Skilled Worker Visa.
- Is a compliance visit mandatory?
Not always, but the UK Home Office may conduct a compliance visit to check HR systems and ensure the business can manage sponsored employees.