SPONSOR LICENCE

You’ll usually need a sponsor licence to employ someone to work for you from outside the UK. This includes citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland who arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020. This includes unpaid work, like running a charity.

You will not need a licence to sponsor certain groups, for example:Irish citizens, those with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and those with indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Sponsoring someone does not guarantee that they’ll get a visa to work for you in the UK.

How to get a sponsor licence

Need to check if your business is eligible.
Choose the type of licence you want to apply for - this will depend on what type of worker you want to sponsor.
Decide who will manage sponsorship within your business.
Apply online and pay the fee.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may visit your business to check it’s suitable.

After you apply:

You’ll be given a licence rating f your application is successful.

You’ll be able to issue Certificate of Sponsorship if you have jobs that are suitable for sponsorship.

Your licence will be valid for 4 years. You may lose your licence if you do not meet your responsibilities as a sponsor.

Eligibility

To get a licence as an employer, you cannot have:

- unspent criminal convictions for immigration offences or certain other crimes, such as fraud or money laundering

- had a sponsor licence revoked in the last 12 months

You’ll need appropriate systems in place to monitor sponsored workers and people to manage sponsorship in your business.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will review your application form and supporting documents. They may visit your business to make sure you’re trustworthy and capable of carrying out your duties.