Table of Contents
- What is a Sponsor Licence?
- What are the eligibility requirements for a Sponsor Licence?
- What supporting documents will I need for a Sponsor Licence?
- How to apply for a Sponsor Licence?
- Is it difficult to get a Sponsor Licence in the UK?
- How do I prove my relationship with a sponsor for a UK visa?
- How long does it take to process a Sponsor Licence?
- How much does it cost to apply for a Sponsor Licence?
- What are the Sponsor Licence financial requirements?
- Why has my Sponsor Licence been refused?
- Things to do if my Sponsor Licence is refused
- How long can you stay with a Sponsor Licence?
- Can I extend my Sponsor Licence?
- How can Immigration Lawyers UK help you obtain your Sponsor Licence?
- Frequently Asked Questions
UK Visa
Eligibility Test
What is a Sponsor Licence?
A UK Sponsor Licence is an important requirement for businesses that want to hire skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. The licence allows the employer the legal authority to sponsor and employ foreign workers within their organisation.
Getting a UK Sponsor Licence is a comprehensive process that involves meeting specific eligibility criteria set by the Home Office. These criteria include demonstrating a legitimate business, adhering to the relevant laws and regulations, and having suitable HR systems in place to manage sponsored employees.
To make matters more interesting, businesses that hold sponsorship licences typicallu have a broader talent pool of employees that can fill the skill gaps within the organisation. It also allows you to bring in international expertise and contribute to the growth of the industry you are in.
How to apply for a Sponsor License?
If your company needs to hire skilled workers outside the UK, then applying for a Sponsor Licence might be the best move you can make to save your company from being understaffed. Here’s how you do it:
- Make sure that your business meets the eligibility criteria.
- Prepare the necessary documents whether it’s mandatory and supported.
- Proceed with the online application through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website. This application will require you to provide detailed information about your business, its structure, and the roles you intend to sponsor.
- During the application process, you may be asked to assign key personnel who will be responsible for all the sponsorship duties.
- Pay the subject fees and prepare for a compliance visit. This visit is from a Home Office official who will inspect your business premises and speak to you further about your Sponsor Licence Application.
What are the eligibility requirements for a Sponsor Licence?
Before you dive into the application process for a Sponsor Licence, it’s vital that you understand the eligibility requirements first. Here are the certain criteria the Home Office sets for businesses applying for this type of visa.
- Firstly, the company must be a legitimate entity registered and operating in the UK.
- The organisation should be able to demonstrate a commitment to complying with the law. For instance, paying relevant taxes and having the right insurance in place.
- Employers must have suitable HR systems in place to monitor sponsored employees and report any changes or non-compliance promptly.
- Businesses must have the right number of employees to nominate and fulfil these key personnel positions:
- Authorising Officer
- Key Contact
- Level 1 User
- The organisation is genuinely seeking a skilled worker at an appropriate level to help the business function.
The eligibility requirements for a Sponsor Licence may vary depending on the category and nature of the business. As expert immigration solicitors, we recommend that you review the guidelines provided by the Home Office or seek professional help to increase the chances of a successful application.
What supporting documents will I need for a Sponsor Licence?
To ensure a smooth and successful application, preparing the necessary documents beforehand is important.
Here are the supporting documents you need to get a UK Sponsor Licence:
- Company's registration documents that will prove the legal existence and structure of your organisation in the United Kingdom
- Evidence of your company's trading history, such as financial statements, bank statements, and tax returns
- Information about your HR system and process (such as job descriptions, the recruitment process, etc.)
- Any documents proving the company’s genuine need for skilled workers, such as job advertisements, will give you a higher chance of approval
- A detailed sponsorship management system overview, where you outline your sponsorship duties, like monitoring and record-keeping.
Keep in mind that each application is unique so it’s likely that the Home Office will require more paperwork and evidence than we stated above. We suggest that you seek help from an expert immigration law firm to help you gather these documents and avoid any pitfalls.
Is it difficult to get a Sponsor Licence in the UK?
While the process may seem daunting, it is not necessarily difficult if you understand the requirements and follow the necessary steps for the application for Sponsor Licence in the UK.
Of course, it is always recommended to consult with an expert in immigration law if you do not feel confident in completing the application alone.
How do I prove my relationship with a sponsor for a UK visa?
As we mentioned, you will need to demonstrate the genuineness of your business by letting the Home Office know you are operating legally and are capable of fulfilling the responsibilities of a sponsor. Doing so includes:
- Maintaining the proper HR systems in compliance with UK immigration laws
- Proving your relationship as the sponsor
- Establishing the legitimacy of the employment opportunity
- Providing documents, such as job descriptions and evidence of the sponsor's financial stability.
What are the Sponsor Licence financial requirements?
As much as possible, you must be prepared to meet the financial obligations of having a Sponsor Licence. This requirement might include an appropriate record-keeping system, conducting regular compliance audits, and potentially covering the costs associated with assigning Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to sponsored employees.
While the financial requirements associated with a UK Sponsor Licence may seem substantial, it is important to view them as an investment in recruiting and retaining talented individuals from around the world.
How much does it cost to apply for a Sponsor Licence?
Employers will need to pay an annual sponsorship fee which starts at £536 for small businesses and can go up to £1,476 for large businesses.
We suggest that you check the most up-to-date information on the official UK Home Office Government website as these fees are subject to change.
How long does it take to process a Sponsor Licence?
Generally, the process takes around 8 to 12 weeks, but it is advisable to submit the application well in advance to account for any potential delays.
If you want to get a UK Sponsor License faster than this period, we at Immigration Lawyers UK offer a streamlined 7-day process. We encounter complex cases every day so rest assured that we have the most experienced immigration lawyers to assist you every step of the way!
How long can you stay with a Sponsor License?
There are different durations of stay depending on the visa category of the skilled worker. However, a Sponsor Licence is valid for 4 years, giving companies a lot of time to fill the gaps in their manpower.
Why has my Sponsor Licence been refused?
Common reasons for refusal include:
- Inadequate supporting documents
- Failure to meet the eligibility criteria
- Discrepancy in your business information, or non-compliance with UK immigration rules and regulations.
Though receiving a refusal is not the end of the road, it’s vital that your next step should be reviewing its causes and identifying the specific issues that led to the refusal. Once identified, businesses can take appropriate action to rectify the issues and reapply for the Sponsor Licence.
Things to do if my Sponsor Licence is refused
We are pleased to let you know that there are so many things you can do if your sponsor licence is refused by the Home Office, including:
- Reviewing the refusal letter and outline the specific reasons for the matter
- Addressing the discrepancies accordingly
- Seeking professional immigration assistance to help you navigate the process
- Looking for the best course of action for the situation
- Knowing if you are entitled to appeal the decision
- Submit a fresh application but make sure that you take the time to identify the weaknesses of your case and provide additional supporting evidence as necessary
Just remember to strengthen your case for a successful reapplication. After all, things are usually much better the second time around!
Can I extend my Sponsor Licence?
Yes, you can extend your Sponsor Licence up to 90 days before the expiry date of your current licence.
This can be done by using the SMS or UK Visa Sponsorship Management System available on the official website of the Home Office. Just follow the steps they’ve outlined for you. You may also use the SMS to manage your current licence or assign Certificates of Sponsorship to your employees.
If you are unsure about how to use the SMS, seek help from a professional immigration lawyer as they are highly experienced in extending sponsor licences and their extensive knowledge can answer any queries you may have about the process.
How can Immigration Lawyers UK help you obtain your Sponsor Licence?
Sponsorship licences are one of the most complex and daunting visa routes to take on in the UK. The frequent worry of potential delays and rejections is inevitable, especially if you are not prepared.
Immigration Lawyers UK will make everything easier for you – from the application process to understanding the objectives of your business. We also offer expert-tailored advice to your specific case and will take the time to assist you with attention to detail.
To make matters more interesting, we offer ongoing support and assistance even after a successful application for a Sponsor Licence. As we all know, immigration laws and regulations are subject to change, and we want you to be prepared with any remaining compliance to maintain your licence.
Here are Immigration Lawyers UK’s services to help you get a Sponsor Licence in no time:
- 7-day turnaround service for faster application
- Handle all types of immigration in different areas: Manchester, London, Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, Oldham, Blackburn and Birmingham
- Immigration Lawyers UK can assist you in preparing your sponsorship management systems and processes
- We will work closely with you to review and improve your HR systems
- Identify any gaps or areas that need improvement in your business hiring process
- Fixed fee pricing and FREE assessment on your case
We’d love to hear from you! You can call Immigration Lawyers UK for free on 0203 633 8983 or complete our contact form without the hassle. We also offer a FREE UK Visa Eligibility test for your potential employees to try out. Let’s increase your chances of success and simplify the complex process of getting a Sponsor License today!
