We start with a free initial consultation with one of our business team to understand your situation and determine your eligibility. If you meet the requirements, we can then proceed. We will provide you, without obligation, a fully costed fixed fee quotation.
Business Immigration
UK SPONSOR LICENCE APPLICATIONS
Need to employ skilled workers from overseas?
If your business wants to recruit skilled workers from overseas, you may need to apply for a UK Sponsor Licence before you can employ them.
A Sponsor Licence allows an eligible UK business to sponsor overseas workers under routes including the Skilled Worker visa. Once your Sponsor Licence application has been approved, your business can assign Certificates of Sponsorship to eligible workers, enabling them to make the appropriate UK work visa application.
Applying for a Sponsor Licence involves more than completing an online application. Your business must satisfy the Home Office that it meets the relevant Sponsor Licence requirements, has appropriate systems in place to manage sponsored workers and is able to comply with its ongoing duties as a licensed sponsor.
At Halliday Reeves, our specialist Sponsor Licence Solicitors provide practical advice to businesses throughout the application process. We can assess your eligibility, advise you on the supporting documents and systems required, prepare and submit your application and help you prepare for any Home Office compliance checks.
Whether you are applying for your first Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence or need advice before recruiting an overseas worker, we can guide you through the process from start to finish.
Who Can Apply for a UK Sponsor Licence?
To apply for a Sponsor Licence, your organisation must meet the Home Office eligibility and suitability requirements and be able to comply with the responsibilities that come with employing sponsored workers.
Your business will normally need to be genuinely operating and trading lawfully in the UK and have a genuine need to sponsor workers for eligible roles. The Home Office will consider your organisation, the roles you intend to recruit for and whether you are capable of meeting your responsibilities as a licensed sponsor.
Sponsor Licence Requirements
As part of your Sponsor Licence application, you will need to demonstrate that your organisation has appropriate HR systems and procedures in place to manage sponsored workers and comply with its ongoing sponsor duties.
These responsibilities include keeping appropriate records, monitoring sponsored workers and reporting certain changes to the Home Office. UK Visas and Immigration may also carry out a compliance visit as part of the application process to check that suitable systems are in place.
Key Personnel
When applying for a UK Sponsor Licence, your organisation will need to nominate people to take responsibility for managing the licence. These include an Authorising Officer, Key Contact and Level 1 User of the Sponsorship Management System (SMS).
Choosing appropriate key personnel is an important part of the application, as they will have responsibility for the organisation's sponsorship arrangements and ongoing compliance.
Supporting Your Sponsor Licence Application
The documents required will depend on the type of organisation and the Sponsor Licence being applied for. Supporting evidence may be required to demonstrate that your business is genuine and operating lawfully in the UK, together with information about your organisation and the roles you intend to sponsor.
Our Sponsor Licence Solicitors can assess your business before you apply, identify the documents and systems required and help ensure that your application is properly prepared and supported.
We can help with a Sponsor licence application in 5 easy steps!
We will then provide you with a personalised documents checklist, which will then enable you to gather the required supporting documentation, for your application.
Once you have returned the supporting documentation, we will then review them and provide you with some feedback.
Whilst you are working on the feedback we have provided; we will complete a first draft of your Sponsor licence application and our representation letter.
As per our feedback, once you have provided any additional documentation, we will then send you the draft sponsor licence application to review. Once you are happy, you sponsor licence application can be submitted.
Sponsor Licence Help & Guides
Frequently Asked Questions About Sponsor Licences
1. How much does a UK Sponsor Licence application cost?
The Home Office fee for a Sponsor Licence application depends on the size and type of organisation applying.
For a Worker Sponsor Licence, the current application fee is £611 for small businesses and charitable organisations and £1,682 for medium and large businesses.
Additional costs may apply, including legal fees, Certificates of Sponsorship and the Immigration Skills Charge when sponsoring eligible workers.
2. How long does a Sponsor Licence application take?
The Home Office normally processes Sponsor Licence applications within eight weeks, although some applications may take longer if further checks are required.
An optional priority service is available for eligible applications, costing an additional £750. This aims to provide a decision within ten working days, subject to availability and the application meeting the relevant requirements.
3. How long does a Sponsor Licence last?
Most UK Sponsor Licences remain valid indefinitely, provided the organisation continues to meet its sponsorship responsibilities.
Since April 2024, businesses holding a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence no longer need to renew their licence every four years.
However, the Home Office can suspend or revoke a licence if the organisation fails to comply with its sponsor duties. Certain sponsorship routes have different validity rules.
4. What documents do I need for a Sponsor Licence application?
The supporting documents required will depend on your organisation and the type of UK Sponsor Licence you are applying for.
These may include evidence of your business registration, financial circumstances, trading activities, employer's liability insurance and other documents demonstrating that your organisation is genuine and operating lawfully.
Our specialist Sponsor Licence Solicitors can advise you on the documents required for your particular application.
5. Can a new or small business apply for a Sponsor Licence?
Yes. New businesses and small organisations can apply for a Sponsor Licence, provided they meet the relevant Home Office eligibility and suitability requirements.
There is no general minimum turnover or minimum number of employees required. However, your organisation must be genuine, operating lawfully and capable of meeting its responsibilities as a licensed sponsor.
Additional supporting evidence may be required depending on the age and circumstances of your business.
6. Can the Home Office visit my business before granting a Sponsor Licence?
Yes. UK Visas and Immigration may carry out a compliance visit or check before deciding your Sponsor Licence application.
The purpose is to assess whether your organisation is genuine, has appropriate HR systems in place and can meet its responsibilities when employing sponsored workers.
Our business immigration solicitors can advise you on preparing for a potential Home Office compliance visit.
Experienced Legal Team
Qualified solicitors and immigration advisers providing professional, dependable representation.
Fast, Hassle-Free Process
Clear guidance and efficient case handling designed to make the immigration process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fixed, Transparent Fees
Clear and affordable pricing agreed upfront, with no hidden costs or unexpected charges.
Fully Accredited and Regulated
SRA regulated with SQM Competent Plus+ and Cyber Essentials certification.
Over 50,000 Successful Applications
A proven track record of securing positive immigration outcomes for individuals, families, and businesses.
UK-Wide Support
Offices in Middlesbrough and Wakefield, supporting clients across the UK and internationally.
Our Outstanding Sponsor Licence Service
Excellent Work!
Excellent work. Satisfactory result to my case. My thanks and appreciation for a job well done. You were transparent and helpful.
Fantastic service
Fantastic service all round from start to finish.
Managing Director, Newcastle Eagles
We have worked on a variety of immigration projects with Halliday Reeves in recent years and would be very happy to recommend their services and support on both a personal and business level.
Sponsor Licence
The service was great. Hannah helped immensely with informing us of the steps required to get the application through. There was plenty of communication and direction too.
We look forward to working more with Halliday Reeves in the future when the need(s) arise.
Successful Sponsor Licence
Sabiha Riaz from Halliday Reeves assisted us in getting our Certificate of Sponsorship. She was very helpful and answered all our questions promptly. We were delighted with the services and have engaged them on further immigration work.
The best service!
I would like to thank Halliday Reeves Law Firm. We worked with other solicitors in the past but Halliday Reeves Law Firm has provided the best service so far. They make things easy to understand and explain legal issues very nicely. They analyzed our case patiently and gave us quick solutions. We are very pleased with excellent feedback through email communication. We will personally use their services again in future if required and we will also highly recommend their services to other people.
02/2011
Rapid Response
Thank you for your help, in particular, your rapid response when I asked for help, your answers to my questions were frank and honest, the speed of service while filling applications and accuracy in requesting my documents.Your prices were moderate and appropriate. Thank you again for the success that's been achieved.
Very professional & feedback always on time
Just thought I would share with you all my appreciation of the quality and level of professionalism I experienced at Halliday Reeves. My case was dealt with in a very professional manner and feedback was always on time. I managed to meet all the deadlines for documents and correspondence to the Home Office. I take this opportunity to thank this legal firm and would not hesitate to recommend anyone there.
10/2010
Get In Touch
At Halliday Reeves, we can guide you through the visa or licence application process. If you have been turned down by the authorities, we can discuss your options with you.
Our firm specialises solely in immigration, meaning we have the in-depth knowledge and experience to help our clients with all of their immigration needs.
If you are looking to make an application, we offer a Free Initial Assessment to discuss your requirements.
