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The Skilled Worker route enables UK employers to recruit workers from outside the EEA to fill skilled roles that cannot be filled by a local worker.
To start, your business needs a Sponsor Licence. Magrath Sheldrick’s sponsor licence lawyers help you navigate the Home Office’s complex requirements to secure your licence efficiently. Book a free consultation with our experts today.
Get in touch
What is a sponsor licence?
A sponsor licence is a mandatory permit issued by the Home Office that allows UK-based employers to hire workers from outside the UK. It acts as a digital “work permit” for the organisation, enabling the legal employment of migrants on routes like the Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility visas.
Why choose Magrath Sheldrick’s sponsor licence solicitors?
Our sponsor licence lawyers provide specialised expertise to ensure your business remains a compliant sponsor.
- Scale your global talent pool with specialist legal expertise: Leveraging over 30 years of experience, we translate complex immigration rules into practical business advice, helping you secure your sponsor licence so you can hire the best global talent without the legal headaches.
- Streamline your recruitment workflows with Global Reach technology: To be eligible for a sponsor licence, employers must have robust HR systems to monitor sponsored employees. Magrath Sheldrick can provide clients with a bespoke online tool, Global Reach to assist with the management, compliance and tracking of their migrant population.
- Protect your business’s right to hire with expert compliance guidance: We ensure your internal HR systems and documentation meet all Home Office suitability requirements, securing your licence and protecting your organisation from the risk of fines or downgrades
How do I apply for a UK sponsor licence?
Applying for a UK sponsor licence involves a four-step process: preparing documentation, submitting an online application, paying the fee, and passing a potential compliance check.
1. Sponsor licence requirements & eligibility
To be eligible, your organisation must prove it is a genuine, operating UK entity.
- No Criminal History: Key personnel must have no unspent criminal convictions for immigration offences.
- Proof of Need: You must demonstrate a genuine vacancy that meets skill and salary thresholds.
- HR Systems: You must have robust systems to monitor sponsored employees.
2. The application process
- Step 1: Documentation: Compile proof of business registration, bank statements, evidence of business premises and HR policies. Submit these within 5 working days of your online application.
- Step 2: Online Submission: Complete the UKVI portal application and appoint your Authorising Officer and Level 1 User.
- Step 3: Home Office Inspection: UKVI may conduct a pre-licence site visit to interview key personnel and check record-keeping practices.
- Step 4: Processing Time: Standard processing is 8 weeks. You may apply for the Priority Service (£750) to receive a decision within 10 working days.
How we secure your sponsor licence
Navigating the Home Office’s stringent evidentiary requirements can be daunting. Magrath Sheldrick’s sponsor licence solicitors provide end-to-end support to ensure your application is successful the first time:
- Expert Evidence Management: We help you identify and compile the specific corporate and financial documentation required to prove your business’s eligibility.
- Strategic Compliance: Our sponsor licence solicitors ensure your internal systems meet Home Office standards, protecting you from future audits.
- Streamlined Applications: We handle the technical legal work, reducing the risk of delays or rejections that could stall your recruitment plans.
Take the first step
Don’t let bureaucracy stand in the way of your business growth. Partner with one of the UK’s leading immigration law firms to secure your licence efficiently.
Which type of sponsor licence do I need?
The type of licence you need depends on whether you are hiring long-term “Workers” or “Temporary Workers”.
Worker Sponsor Licences
- Skilled Worker Route: For hiring employees in specific skilled occupations.
- Global Business Mobility: Including Senior or Specialist Worker routes for multinational firms.
- Minister of Religion & International Sportsperson: Specialist routes for religious or athletic personnel.
Temporary Worker Sponsor Licences
- Scale-up Worker: For fast-growth businesses (sponsorship only required for the first 6 months).
- Creative & Charity Workers: For film, fashion, or voluntary industries.
- Government Authorised Exchange: For sanctioned work experience or research programs.
Note on Non-Sponsorship Visas: Certain routes do not require a licence, such as the Graduate visa (for graduates to work for 2+ years) and the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa (for graduates of top-tier global universities).
Speak to one of our sponsor licence lawyers
Book a free consultation with one of our UK sponsor licence lawyers and we can advise you on the best licence to apply for based on your business’ needs.
Compliance, management and penalties
Once granted, a sponsor licence is rated ‘A’, and the holder must use the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) to report significant changes within 10–28 days.
Key responsibilities
- Record Keeping: Maintaining Right to Work (RTW) checks, NI numbers, and contact details.
- Absence Monitoring: Tracking sickness, annual leave, and unauthorised absences (10+ days must be reported).
- Reporting Changes: Notifying the Home Office of resignations, job role changes, or business takeovers/mergers.
Penalties for non-compliance
- Downgrading: Your licence may be moved to a B-rating, preventing you from issuing a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a digital record issued by a UKVI-licensed employer to a foreign worker, enabling them to apply for a UK skilled worker visa. Upgrading back to an A-rating requires a specific action plan costing £1,476.
- Suspension & Revocation: Serious breaches lead to a permanent loss of the licence, requiring the immediate termination of all sponsored employees.
How we ensure you stay compliant
Magrath Sheldrick protects your business from the draconian sanctions of the Home Office by transforming complex statutory duties into a secure, audit-ready framework.
Leveraging our proprietary Global Reach technology, we provide a bespoke toolkit to manage mandatory record-keeping—including BRPs and absence logs—while ensuring all reporting triggers are updated via the SMS within strict legal deadlines. By conducting internal audits and simulated site inspections, our Tier-1 solicitors embed a culture of compliance that proactively shields your A-rating from the risks of licence suspension or revocation.
How much is a UK sponsor licence?
The 2026 sponsor licence application fee is £574 for small/charitable sponsors and £1,579 for medium or large sponsors. These fees must be paid directly to the Home Office and cannot be reclaimed from the employee.
According to the UK Home Office, you qualify as a small sponsor if your business meets at least two of these criteria: an annual turnover of £15 million or less, total assets worth £7.5 million or less, or 50 employees or fewer.
You are considered a charitable sponsor if you are a registered charity in the UK (including excepted or exempt charities and ecclesiastical corporations). If you are a Northern Ireland charity not yet on the register, you must provide HMRC proof of your charitable status for tax purposes.
| Fee Type | Small / Charitable Sponsor | Medium / Large Sponsor |
| Licence Application | £574 | £1,579 |
| Priority Service (Optional – 10 Days) | £750 | £750 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | £239 | £239 |
| Immigration Skills Charge (Per Year) | £364 | £1,000 |
UK sponsor licence FAQs
How to check if a sponsor licence has been revoked?
You can verify a sponsor’s status by checking the official “Register of Licensed Sponsors” on GOV.UK. If a company is removed from this public list, its licence is no longer valid.
How long does a sponsor licence last?
Most UK sponsor licences are now automatically extended by the Home Office for 10 years. However, exceptions apply: UK Expansion Worker licences cannot be renewed after 2 years, and Scale-up licences expire after 4 years.
What are the key compliance obligations for a sponsor licence holder?
Licence holders must maintain accurate records of sponsored workers, including copies of passports, biometric residence permits, employment contracts, and contact details. They must also report changes in the worker’s employment status or personal details via the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) within specified timeframes.
How often should the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) be updated?
The SMS should be updated within 10 working days for changes in employment status and within 20 days for changes in organisational details, such as address or key personnel.
What are the consequences of non-compliance with sponsor licence duties?
Non-compliance can lead to penalties such as licence downgrading, suspension, or revocation, affecting the ability to sponsor new workers and potentially impacting the business’s operations.
What is a sponsor licence number?
A Sponsor Licence Number (SLN) is a unique 9–11 character reference number assigned by the Home Office. It identifies your business on the “Register of Licensed Sponsors” and is required for every Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
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