Employers who want to hire someone from outside the UK generally need a sponsor licence, even for unpaid roles such as charity work.
Holding a sponsor licence does not guarantee that the person you want to employ will be granted a UK visa.
When assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for a Skilled Worker or Senior/Specialist Worker visa, you may be required to pay the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC).
From 16 December 2025, the ISC will increase as follows:
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Medium and large sponsors: Β£1,000 β Β£1,320 per sponsored worker per year
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Small and charitable sponsors: Β£364 β Β£480 per sponsored worker per year
For more details, visit: UK visa sponsorship for employers: Immigration skills charge – GOV.UK.
LawSentis can guide your business through the sponsorship and visa process, ensuring compliance and minimizing risks. Contact us today for expert advice.