Business Immigration

Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence 

What is a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence?

An organisation that needs to sponsor non-UK skilled workers must obtain a Skilled Worker sponsor licence. The Skilled Worker route was previously known as Tier 2 (General).

Once a company is an approved sponsor licence holder, it can then use the licence to sponsor under the Skilled Worker route of the Immigration Rules.

What are the main requirements for a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence Application?

In order to obtain a Skilled Worker sponsor licence, the organisation must demonstrate to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) that it is a genuine organisation operating lawfully in the UK, that it has relevant HR processes and systems in place and that it has a genuine need for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence.

In order to assess whether an organisation has a genuine need for a sponsor licence, UKVI will require information that demonstrates that the organisation has genuine vacancies and needs to recruit individuals with specialist skills that are not always available locally.

Our immigration experts have significant experience in sponsor licences, including where there may be complex factors. We will guide you through the process from start to finish.

If you require further information, contact one of our specialists or complete our enquiry form below.

What is the process for a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence Application?

In order to apply for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence, the organisation must complete an online application form. A number of documents will then need to be submitted to UKVI in order to demonstrate that the organisation is genuine and trading in the UK.

Examples of documents that can be submitted include:

  • a bank statement;
  • a VAT certificate;
  • evidence of employer’s liability insurance; and 
  • evidence of premises.

All supporting documentation must be sent to UKVI within five working days of the online form being submitted.

In addition to the documentation, the organisation is required to provide UKVI with some general information relating to the organisation. The required information is set out by UKVI at Appendix A of the Sponsor Guidance.

How long does a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence application take?

Decisions on Skilled Worker sponsor licence applications can take up to 16 weeks, but we would generally expect a decision within 8-10 weeks. 

If the Home Office’s priority service can be used, the process can be significantly shortened. 

What are Sponsor Licence compliance visits for?

Prior to making a decision on a Skilled Worker sponsor licence application, UKVI may visit the organisation to carry out a compliance review in order to determine whether or not the organisation will offer genuine vacancies to overseas workers and will be capable of carrying out its sponsor duties.

As part of a compliance visit, UKVI carries out a number of checks, including a review of the organisation’s current practices, policies and HR procedures in order to ensure that it has suitable systems in place.

If, following a review, UKVI has any concerns, the sponsor licence application can be refused. It is therefore essential that the organisation reviews relevant systems and policies prior to submitting a sponsor licence application.

Apply for a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence with Carter Thomas

UKVI will carefully scrutinise an application for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence. If it does not consider that an organisation is genuine, or it considers that any of the other requirements have not been met, the application will fall for refusal. It is therefore essential that the application is prepared thoroughly and carefully.

Here at Carter Thomas, we are experienced in preparing Skilled Worker sponsor licence applications to ensure a successful outcome and will provide expert guidance and assistance to organisations throughout the process.

Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence Application: How our immigration solicitors can help

If your organisation requires legal assistance or you would just like to discuss your situation with one of our experts on a no-obligation basis, please call us or complete our enquiry form below.

More Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence FAQs

What does a sponsor licence application cost?
The Home Office fees for a sponsor licence are currently £536 for small businesses and £1,476 for larger businesses. A sponsor licence will then enable the organisation to recruit individuals from the EU and non-EU countries. You can find further information here. 

What is the minimum salary requirement for a skilled worker sponsor licence?
The general minimum salary threshold has risen as of 4 April 2024 to £38,700, or the ‘going rate’ for that particular job, whichever is higher.

However, in certain circumstances, workers can be paid less if they fall under a different tradeable option, for example if the job is on the Immigration Salary List, or the worker is regarded as a ‘new entrant’.

There are other salary rules which cover jobs in healthcare and education. You can find further information here.

There are also transitional provisions in place for workers who were already on the Skilled Worker route prior to 4 April 2024. You can read more about this here. 

How can I renew my sponsor licence?
Sponsor licences used to be granted for a period of four years. This changed in January 2024. Sponsors with a licence expiry date on or after 6 April 2024 no longer need to renew the licence.

Why do I need an immigration solicitor for a sponsor licence?
We have significant experience in preparing successful sponsor licence applications and have been doing so since the system first began in 2008. We will ensure that your application is fully prepared and provide full support and guidance to you throughout the process. We will also ensure that you are fully aware of the various sponsor duties your company will need to comply with once your licence application is approved.

How can my company apply for a sponsor licence?
We will complete an online application form, ensure that all required documentation is prepared to submit to the Home Office and provide full support and guidance throughout the process, including communicating with the Home Office if they have any questions about your application.

What documents do I need for a sponsor licence?
The Home Office requires a number of documents to be submitted to support a sponsor licence application which demonstrate that the business is genuine and established. Crucially, the Home Office will only accept specific documents in an acceptable format and will reject applications that do not meet the requirements. We will ensure that your documents fully meet the requirements before the application is submitted.

What are Certificates of Sponsorship?
The sponsor employer must assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (‘CoS’) to each foreign worker they employ. A CoS is an electronic record with a unique reference number which the worker will need when applying for a visa. The worker must apply for a visa within 3 months of the CoS being assigned.

What happens if I receive a sponsor licence refusal decision?
We have often been instructed to advise businesses that have already submitted an application which has been refused or rejected by the Home Office. If the application has been rejected, this normally means that the supporting documents and information was not correctly provided and we will be able to prepare another application. If an application is refused, this indicates that the issues could be more serious. In some cases, the Home Office can invoke what is known as a ‘cooling off’ period where it will refuse to accept a new application for between 6 – 12 months.

If your application has been rejected, we will review the decision letter and advise you on the best course of action, including if there may be grounds to challenge a refusal decision.

How do I receive my sponsor licence number?
When it has approved the sponsor licence application, the Home Office will send confirmation of this to the business, along with log-in details so that the Level 1 User can access the Sponsor Management System. We can then guide you through the process of appointing a member of our team as a Level 1 User and they will then be able to manage the licence for you, including assigning CoS.

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