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A UK sponsor licence is an official permit issued by the Home Office that allows UK-based employers to hire and sponsor international workers. It enables businesses to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to eligible overseas candidates, which are essential for those individuals to apply for work visas. Following Brexit, this licence became vital for hiring from outside the UK, including the EU, as it replaced freedom of movement. It provides a structured, compliance-driven framework for accessing global talent across a wide range of sectors.
A sponsor licence is now issued on an indefinite basis, following the UK Home Office’s 2024 reform. While the licence no longer expires after a set period, it will undergo automatic 10-year renewals, provided the organisation continues to meet all compliance duties. There are different types of sponsor licences depending on the job roles you intend to sponsor. Holding a licence means your organisation must consistently adhere to sponsor responsibilities, including ongoing reporting and record-keeping requirements. Failure to meet these duties may result in suspension or revocation of the licence.
Post-Brexit labour shortages in key industries, such as technology, engineering, health and care, and education, have made hiring qualified overseas workers essential for many companies. A valid sponsor licence opens up a global candidate pool, helping fill roles that are hard to recruit for locally.
The sponsor licence regime ensures employers follow strict rules. There are clear requirements on salary, working conditions, tracking leave, and reporting changes or non-compliance to the UK Visas and Immigration. This framework reduces the risk of visa misuse and helps uphold workplace standards.
Holding a licence gives you flexibility to expand your workforce when needed—whether that’s a long-term specialist in AI or a short-term project manager arriving from overseas.
Compliant sponsors build a reputation with the Home Office as law-abiding and trustworthy. This reputation becomes valuable when making future licence renewals or adding more sponsorship categories to your licence.
For degree-level roles with minimum salaries (£41,700 or the role’s “going rate”). Includes:
For short-term or project-based roles, e.g.:
For universities and colleges sponsoring international students (Tier 4/Student route).
To qualify, you must:
Jobs must also be at RQF Level 6 or above, with responsibilities aligned to the correct occupation code.
The SMS is UKVI’s online portal for licensed sponsors. Your business must keep it updated with:
If refused, you cannot appeal but may request an administrative review.
LawSentis provides:
The UK sponsor licence system is stricter than ever, with higher fees, indefinite validity, and tougher compliance checks from 2025 onwards. Success depends on proving genuine recruitment needs, building strong HR systems, and maintaining compliance every day.
At LawSentis, we secure, manage, and protect sponsor licences for employers across all sectors. If you’re ready to begin your application, or need support with compliance or renewal, contact us today for a free eligibility review.
Have questions or need more information? Our team is here to help.
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