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Sponsor Licence Services

Understand how to apply for a UK sponsor licence, including eligibility, application process, fees, and employer responsibilities.

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Employer responsibilities when a sponsored worker leaves

Understand your responsibilities when sponsorship ends, including when to report, what details to provide, and how to stay compliant.

Managing working arrangements for sponsored employees

Understand how different working arrangements affect sponsored roles, when changes may need to be reported, and how to manage compliance in practice.

Sponsor licence application process

Learn about sponsor licence fees, what type of licence to apply for and how to prepare your application for a successful outcome.

Sponsor licence compliance

Understand what your organisation needs to do to maintain your sponsor licence.

What is a sponsor licence?

A sponsor licence is an essential legal step in sponsoring non-UK national workers (including both EEA and non-EEA individuals) to work in a specific job at a specific company. After obtaining a sponsor licence, an employer can issue certificates of sponsorship to prospective non-UK national workers for them to commence employment.

What are the different types of sponsor licences?

The worker licence is designed for longer-term or skilled workers, including skilled workers, ministers of religion, international sportspersons and specialist workers (under the Global Business Mobility Scheme). The temporary worker licence is suitable for those seeking shorter-term employment, including creative workers, charity workers, religious workers, seasonal workers and scale-up workers. We can help you to decide the appropriate licence based on your employment roles and duration of employment.

Applications fees and processing times

Sponsor licence application fees depend on several factors, including the size of the company and whether the organisation is a charitable organisation. The time it takes to receive a decision on a sponsor licence application will vary depending on the size and complexity of the application, so your organisation should apply for a sponsor licence with plenty of time prior to issuing certificates of sponsorship and employing non-UK-based workers.

How long are sponsor licences issued for?

A sponsorship licence will be issued indefinitely. There is no requirement to renew the sponsor licence and it can only be lost if it is revoked or surrendered. The only exception to this is licences for expansion workers or scale-up workers, which will be valid for 4 years.

What is a sponsor licence UK number?

A sponsor licence number will be allocated to a specific sponsor licence holder once an application has been successful, and an employer has been recorded on the UK licenced sponsor list. It is a unique code which will be included on each individual worker’s certificate of sponsorship.

We’re here to help you

When it comes to obtaining reliable legal advice, Seraphus is your dedicated source of expert guidance.

We specialise in providing personalised support to help you navigate the complexities of the application process, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free experience.

Contact us today using the contact us form.

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FAQs for Sponsor Licence Services

  • What can the Sponsor Management System be used for, and do I need a licence before I can log in?

    You can only use the Sponsor Management System if you already have a sponsor licence.

    The Sponsor Management System is commonly used for: managing your licence, creating and assigning Certificates of Sponsorship for workers, reporting changes about sponsored workers (including withdrawing sponsorship), and reporting changes to your organisation (for example, change of owner or new location).

  • How long is a Certificate of Sponsorship valid, and how early can the worker apply for their visa?

    Once you assign a Certificate of Sponsorship, the worker must use it to apply for their visa within 3 months.

    They must also not apply for their visa more than 3 months before the job start date shown on the Certificate of Sponsorship.

  • Defined vs undefined Certificate of Sponsorship – what’s the difference?

    A defined Certificate of Sponsorship is for someone applying on a Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK. An undefined Certificate of Sponsorship is used for Skilled Workers applying from inside the UK, commonly used for applicants switching from other visas.

    This matters because a defined Certificate of Sponsorship requires you to apply through the Sponsor Management System for each case, while an undefined Certificate of Sponsorship is managed through the allocation you estimate for your first year (and then via ongoing sponsor processes).

  • Immigration Skills Charge — how much is it, and how do we know if we’re small/charitable?

    The Immigration Skills Charge is currently set at £480 for the first 12 months for small or charitable sponsors and £1,320 for medium or large sponsors, with additional amounts charged per extra 6-month period.

    You are considered a small sponsor if you meet 2 of the following:
    -your annual turnover is £15 million or less
    -your total assets are worth £7.5 million or less
    -you have 50 employees or fewer

    You are considered a charitable sponsor if you hold the specified charitable registration, exception, or exemption.

  • When do we not have to pay the Immigration Skills Charge, and do we pay it for dependants?

    There are circumstances where you do not have to pay the Immigration Skills Charge, including sponsorship under specific research-related occupation codes, and other route-linked circumstances described in the guidance.

    Unlike the Immigration Health Surcharge, the Immigration Skills Charge is only payable for the main applicant and does not apply for the worker’s dependants (for example, partner or child).

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