As the UK workforce becomes more global, many employers are looking overseas to fill essential roles. However, hiring someone from outside the UK isn’t as straightforward as making a job offer. You’ll need to comply with immigration rules, including applying for a sponsor licence and guiding your new employee through the visa process.
If you’re an employer considering sponsorship for the first time, working with an experienced legal team can save time, reduce stress, and ensure you stay fully compliant with the law. We’re here to help you navigate every step, from licence application to supporting your sponsored worker.
Step 1: Are You Eligible for a Sponsor Licence?
Before you can hire from overseas, your business must hold a valid Sponsor Licence. To qualify, you will need to show that you are a genuine UK organisation with the right HR systems in place to monitor and support sponsored workers. We will assess your eligibility, explain the requirements in plain terms, and guide you through the application process from start to finish.
What Will It Cost?
We give you a clear, upfront breakdown of all fees involved, so there are no surprises along the way. These typically include:
- Sponsor Licence Application Fee – set by the Home Office and based on the size of your business.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Fee – required for each worker you sponsor.
- Immigration Skills Charge – a government levy payable by employers.
- Our Professional Fees – fixed, transparent, and agreed in advance.
Knowing the full costs at the start helps you budget confidently and plan ahead.
What Are the Different Types of Sponsor Licence?
If you want to employ someone who is not a settled worker, you will need Home Office approval in the form of a Sponsor Licence. This licence gives UK-based businesses permission to recruit overseas nationals to work in the UK.
There are two main types of licence:
- Worker Licence – for skilled or long-term employment.
- Temporary Worker Licence – for certain types of short-term or specific roles.
You can apply for one type of licence or both, depending on your recruitment needs.
1. Worker Licence
This allows you to sponsor overseas nationals in skilled roles. Depending on the visa, the role can be short-term, long-term, or permanent. This licence is divided into several categories:
- Skilled Worker: for roles that meet the Home Office’s job suitability and skill requirements.
- Senior or Specialist Worker (Global Business Mobility): for multinational companies transferring established staff to their UK branch (previously the Intra-Company Transfer visa).
- Minister of Religion: for individuals taking up a role within a faith-based organisation in the UK.
- International Sportsperson: for elite athletes and coaches based in the UK.
2. Temporary Worker Licence
A Temporary Worker Licence allows you to sponsor individuals on a short-term basis. This can include volunteering, job shadowing, training, or fixed-term employment. Importantly, this licence only applies to specific types of roles and visa categories set by the Home Office.
The licence is divided into several subcategories:
- Scale-up Worker – for individuals joining a fast-growing UK business.
- Creative Worker – for entertainers, performers, and other creative professionals (up to 2 years).
Charity Worker – for unpaid roles in UK-registered charities (up to 1 year). - Religious Worker – for those working in a religious order or organisation (up to 2 years).
Government Authorised Exchange – for short-term knowledge exchange, such as:- Work experience (up to 1 year)
- Research or training (up to 2 years, e.g. practical medical or scientific training)
- International Agreement – for workers employed under international law (e.g. employees of overseas governments).
- Graduate Trainee (Global Business Mobility) – for overseas staff transferring to a UK branch as part of a graduate training programme.
Service Supplier (Global Business Mobility) – for overseas workers contracted to deliver services to a UK company (6–12 months). - UK Expansion Worker (Global Business Mobility) – for staff sent to the UK to establish a new branch or subsidiary.
- Secondment Worker (Global Business Mobility) – for overseas employees temporarily assigned to a UK business as part of a high-value contract.
- Seasonal Worker – for short-term work in horticulture (such as fruit and vegetable picking, up to 6 months) or poultry production (18 October to 31 December each year).
Who Does Not Need a Sponsor Licence?
Not all overseas workers require sponsorship. You do not need a sponsor licence to employ:
- Irish citizens
- Individuals with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- Individuals with indefinite leave to remain in the UK
Keep in mind: holding a sponsor licence does not guarantee that a worker will be granted a visa. The Home Office makes the final decision.
Your Responsibilities as a Sponsor
As a licensed sponsor, you must follow strict compliance duties. These include:
- Checking eligibility – making sure foreign workers have the necessary skills, qualifications, or professional accreditations for the role, and keeping copies of evidence.
- Assigning Certificates of Sponsorship responsibly – only for jobs that meet the Home Office’s sponsorship criteria.
- Reporting to UKVI – notifying UK Visas and Immigration if a sponsored worker is not meeting their visa conditions.
- Following employment law – ensuring all job offers comply with UK employment legislation.
- Meeting additional requirements – where applicable, for workers under 18, Scale-up Workers, or offshore roles.
Failure to meet these obligations could result in your sponsor licence being downgraded, suspended, or withdrawn.
Monitoring Sponsored Workers
As a sponsor, you are legally required to have robust HR systems in place to track and manage your sponsored employees. These systems must allow you to:
- Check immigration status – monitor each worker’s right to work in the UK.
- Keep accurate records – store copies of key documents, including evidence of right-to-work checks.
- Track attendance – maintain reliable records of sponsored workers’ attendance at work.
- Update contact details – ensure you always have current addresses and phone numbers for each worker.
- Report issues promptly – inform UKVI of any problems, such as a sponsored worker failing to attend work or breaching their visa conditions.
Having these measures in place is essential to remain compliant and to protect your sponsor licence.
Reporting Changes to Your Business
As a licensed sponsor, you are required to notify UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) of any significant changes to your business within 20 working days. This includes:
- Ceasing trading or becoming insolvent
- Making substantial changes to the nature of your business
- Being involved in a merger or takeover
Altering your relationship with any overseas businesses that have seconded workers to you - Changing contracts for secondment workers or service suppliers
Updating your business details, such as your address or the roles you are authorised to sponsor
Promptly reporting these changes is essential to maintain compliance and protect your sponsor licence.
The Benefits of a Sponsor Licence
In today’s competitive job market, hiring internationally isn’t just an option; it’s often essential. A Sponsor Licence allows your business to access a wider pool of global talent while remaining fully compliant with UK immigration regulations.
Whether you are a fast-growing startup or a well-established company, obtaining a Sponsor Licence can help your organisation grow, innovate, and stay ahead in a global workforce.
Our team can provide expert assistance to help you understand your legal options. For expert legal advice, contact us today to discuss your case.
