UK Sponsor Licence: Also known simply as a sponsor license, empowers UK businesses to hire foreign workers. Licensed UK companies have the authority to issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to eligible non-UK nationals, whether they are within the UK or abroad, enabling them to apply for work visas, such as the Skilled Worker Visa. Educational institutions like universities, planning to recruit international students, must also secure a sponsor license from the Home Office.
Sponsor licenses are initially granted for a period of 4 years, after which employers must undergo a renewal process. Acquiring and maintaining a sponsor license involves a stringent application process, and its retention demands a commitment to a comprehensive compliance regimen. This includes ensuring that HR processes and procedures align seamlessly with the Home Office’s stipulated requirements.
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Sponsor licence requirements 2023
To qualify for a sponsor license application, you must fulfill the following criteria:
- Operate genuinely and lawfully in the UK
- Be based in the UK
- Pose no threat to immigration control
- Have key personnel who are deemed “honest and dependable”
- Maintain an effective HR system capable of fulfilling your obligations as a licensed sponsor consistently over time
Business Eligibility Requirements
Businesses seeking a UK Sponsor License must be authentic and operate legally in the UK, registered as a PLC, Ltd, LLP, or Sole Trader. This implies that they are a legitimate entity with a presence in the UK, adhering to legal regulations. To establish a UK presence, businesses like limited companies or LLPs must be incorporated with Companies House and possess the necessary planning permissions from the Local Planning Authority for their operational address.
While there’s no prohibition for new start-ups to apply for a sponsor license, businesses operational for less than 18 months must provide proof of a current corporate bank account with an FCA and PRA-registered UK bank.
Additional eligibility requirements may apply based on the type of sponsor license sought. For instance, businesses applying for a UK Expansion Worker sponsorship license should not have an active trading presence in the UK but must demonstrate a UK ‘footprint.
Requirements
In the process of applying for a UK sponsor license, businesses are required to demonstrate their honesty, dependability, and reliability. As a sponsorship license holder, the business must fulfill specific responsibilities, including:
- Maintaining suitable HR systems to meet sponsor duties
- Being prepared for a UKVI compliance visit, whether announced or unannounced, at all times
- Having no unspent criminal convictions for previous immigration offenses or tax evasion
- Showing no evidence of non-compliance with past sponsorship licenses
- Not having had a sponsor license revoked in the last year
Types of UK Sponsor Licence for employee
Employers can obtain two primary types of UK Sponsor Licence: worker licenses for skilled or long-term employment and temporary worker licenses. When applying for a license, businesses must indicate the type they require and are obligated to recruit international staff only for the license type granted. Depending on specific needs and eligibility, businesses have the option to apply for multiple subcategories of worker licenses.
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How to apply sponsor licence
To become a sponsor, a business must undergo several steps:
- Choose the categories/tiers for the licence.
- Assess eligibility and suitability for each category/tier, making necessary changes to HR systems.
- Designate “Key Personnel” (Authorising officer, Key contact, Level 1 and Level 2 users of the Sponsor Management System).
- Collect required documents for the application.
- Determine the number of Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) needed for the first year.
- Complete and submit the online application along with hard-copy documents to the Home Office.
- If applicable, prepare for and undergo a Home Office site visit.
- Await the decision.
Sponsor licence fees
Certainly! Here’s the information presented in a table format:
| Type of Licence | Small or Charitable Sponsors | Medium or Large Sponsors |
|---|---|---|
| Worker Licence | £536 | £1,476 |
| Temporary Worker Licence | £536 | £536 |
| Worker and Temporary Worker Licence | £536 | £1,476 |
| Adding a Worker Licence to an existing Temporary Worker Licence | No cost | £940 |
| Adding a Temporary Worker Licence to an existing Worker Licence | No cost | No cost |
Required Documents
- Appendix A Overview:
- Appendix A details the documentation requirements for UK sponsor licence applicants.
- Typically, a minimum of four documents is needed, but exceptions may apply to recognized public bodies.
- Recognized public bodies include local authorities or companies listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market.
- Document Variation:
- The specific documents required depend on your business and the type of licence sought.
- Examples of requested documents:
- Financial accounts demonstrating business genuineness and activity.
- Contracts for goods or services covering the 12-month period before application.
- Proof of a current corporate bank account registered with the UK’s financial authorities.
- VAT registration certificate.
- Franchise agreements and other relevant business-related evidence.
- Exemption for Public Bodies:
- Public bodies may not need to submit the standard four documents.
- Examples of recognized public bodies include local authorities or companies listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market.
- Notable Considerations:
- This list is not exhaustive, and specific document requests may vary based on individual business circumstances.
- Authenticity, eligibility for the chosen sponsor licence category, and other factors influence the documentation required.
- Examples of Additional Documents:
- Documents such as proof of a UK ‘footprint,’ evidence of overseas trading presence, and plans for UK expansion may be requested based on business specifics.
