sponsor licence
sponsor licence
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.
why is holding a sponsor licence important?
Access to global talent
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.
Structured compliance
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 UK Visas and Immigration. This framework reduces the risk of visa misuse and helps uphold workplace standards.
Business growth and flexibility
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.
Stronger reputation
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.
what changed in july 2022 and beyond?
- Removal of the Resident Labour Market Test– employers no longer need to advertise roles locally before sponsoring overseas workers (but must still prove genuine need).
- Longer licence periods– since April 2024, sponsor licences are indefinite with automatic 10-year renewals.
- Increased CoS fees (April 2025):
– Skilled Worker CoS: £525
– Temporary/seasonal CoS: £55 - No-cost recovery from employees– since Dec 2024 (skilled routes) and April 2025 (others), employers cannot pass sponsorship costs to employees.
- Stricter compliance checks– especially in care and temporary worker routes, with more frequent audits and revocations for non-compliance.
types of sponsor licences
Skilled Worker Licence
For degree-level roles with minimum salaries (£41,700 or the role’s “going rate”). Includes:
- Health and care workers
- Sportspersons
- Ministers of religion
- Senior or specialist workers
Temporary Worker Licence
For short-term or project-based roles, e.g.:
- Charity workers
- Creative workers
- International sportspersons
- Religious workers
- Government authorised exchange
- Youth mobility (where applicable)
- Seasonal agricultural workers
Student Sponsor Licence
For universities and colleges sponsoring international students (Tier 4/Student route).
eligibility: what employers need
To qualify, you must:
- Be a genuine UK entity– show incorporation docs, VAT reg, leases, bank statements, etc.
- Have a clean record– no unspent convictions or history of immigration non-compliance.
- Assign sponsorship roles– appoint:
– Authorising officer (oversight)
– Key contact (liaison with Home Office)
– Level 3 user(manages SMS daily)
At least one Level 3 user must be an employee. - Demonstrate real recruitment need– vacancy records, shortage evidence, sector demand.
- Maintain HR systems– track sponsored workers’ pay, attendance, contact info, qualifications, and report changes.
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:
applying for a sponsor licence
- Build a strong application – provide evidence of genuine business activity and recruitment needs.
- Designate key staff – Authorising Officer, Key Contact, and Level 3 User.
- Submit online via the Sponsor Management System (SMS) – pay fees, upload docs.
- Post-approval – assign CoS, pay Immigration Skills Charge, and remain compliant.
common reasons for refusal or revocation
- Fraudulent/inconsistent documents
- Incomplete evidence
- Past non-compliance or revocations
- Failure to respond to Home Office requests
- Poor internal systems or rogue sponsorship activity
If refused, you cannot appeal but may request an administrative review.
advantages of working with lawsentis
- UK-based, IAA Regulated (Level 3)
- Deep sector insight: health, tech, engineering, care, education, hospitality
- End-to-end management: application, monitoring, audits, renewals
- Expertise in complex cases: licence transfers, company mergers, inspections
- Transparent fees — no hidden costs
keeping your licence active
LawSentis provides:
- Sponsor management policies and staff training
- Key Contact & Authorising Officer training sessions
- Mock audits and compliance health checks
- Annual reviews and preparation for Home Office inspections
- Renewal support, including evidence gathering and compliance updates
summary & next steps
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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