Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence Application

In order for an organisation to sponsor temporary workers, it must first obtain the relevant licence.

Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence: Main requirements

The Temporary Worker routes are intended to allow an organisation to sponsor temporary workers in a variety of different roles throughout the charitable, cultural and religious sectors.

Within this route there are six subcategories, each of which must be assessed under the sponsor licence system. An organisation can apply to be a sponsor under the Temporary Worker route in any of the following categories.

Creative or sporting

In order to successfully secure a sponsor licence under this category the organisation must be a sporting body, sports club or an events organiser operating in the sporting sector. The organisation will also require an endorsement from a Home Office approved governing body for its chosen sport.

Charity workers

The organisation will need to be a registered, excepted or exempt UK charity in line with the relevant charity legislation.

Religious workers

To apply for a licence in this subcategory the organisation must be a bona fide religious organisation and generally needs to be registered as a UK charity unless an exemption applies.

Government authorised exchange

This category applies to those coming to the UK through approved schemes. These schemes are set out in Appendix N of the Immigration Rules.

In order for a scheme to be valid it must be endorsed by a government department and administered by a single overarching sponsor. As such an organisation will need to approach the relevant government department to seek their endorsement before it will be able to sponsor a worker.

Certain Higher Education Institutes can also sponsor individuals under this route for the purpose of sharing knowledge, experience and best practice through work placements. Higher Education Institutions can use this route to sponsor researchers for a maximum duration of two years in order for them to work on a formal research project, provide a series of lectures or for external examinations.

International agreement

This category is intended for organisations who wish to sponsor those who will provide a service covered by international law, such as:

employees of overseas governments;
employees of international organisations;
private servants in diplomatic households or households of officials working for international organisations; and
those working under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) or another agreement under which the UK has commitments.

When making an application under this subcategory the organisation must send a signed letter from the head of the organisations, confirming that they agree to the application being made, wish to sponsor individuals under this route and accept the sponsorship requirements.

Seasonal Worker

This is for workers in edible horticulture doing seasonal work in the UK with an approved sponsor for up to 6 months in any 12 month period.

Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence Application: How we can help

UKVI will carefully scrutinise an application for a Temporary Worker sponsor licence. If it does not consider that the application meets all of the necessary requirements, it will be refused. It is therefore essential that a sponsor license application is prepared thoroughly and carefully.

We are experienced in preparing Temporary Worker sponsor licence applications to ensure a successful outcome and will provide expert guidance and assistance to organisations throughout the process.

If your organisation requires legal assistance to apply for a sponsor license or you would just like to discuss your situation with one of our experts on a no-obligation basis, please contact us.

If you’re an individual looking to come to the UK temporarily for work purposes, see our temporary worker visa guidance.