Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence
What is a Sponsor Licence?
If your business is looking to recruit skilled talent from outside the UK, obtaining a sponsor licence is a crucial first step. The UK Home Office requires employers to obtain a licence to sponsor workers under the skilled worker visa route. This ensures that businesses meet specific eligibility criteria and comply with immigration rules.
MGBe Legal expert team specialises in guiding businesses through the sponsor licence application process. From assessing your organisation’s readiness to ensuring full compliance with Home Office requirements, we provide comprehensive support to help you secure the licence and expand your workforce seamlessly.
Whether you are navigating complex Home Office regulations for the first time or need assistance with ongoing compliance, we’re here to help your business achieve its recruitment goals while maintaining peace of mind on every immigration legal aspect of the process.
Apply for a Skilled Worker visa
Once the company issues a certificate of sponsorship, the prospective employee needs to apply for a skilled worker visa.
The employee will need to meet the following criteria as outlined by UK visas and immigration:
- You are aged 18 or over.
- There is an established UK company that is active, genuine, and operational.
- Your UK company has successfully obtained a Skilled Worker sponsor licence.
- Your UK company has assigned a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for the job you intend to do.
- Your job offer constitutes a genuine vacancy within the company.
- The job is at an appropriate skill level as required under the Skilled Worker visa criteria.
- You will be paid a salary that equals or exceeds both the general salary threshold and the relevant salary threshold for the role based on the applicable SOC 2020 occupation code.
- Your sponsor has paid any applicable Immigration Skills Charge.
- You are proficient in the English language to at least CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0).
- You have sufficient funds to support yourself without recourse to public funds.
- You have provided a criminal record certificate, if required.
- You have provided a valid tuberculosis (TB) certificate, if required.
Who is eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship?
To sponsor a worker under the UK's Skilled Worker visa route, employers must ensure the candidate meets specific eligibility criteria:
Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence process
The Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence process is a structured pathway that allows UK businesses to employ skilled workers from outside the country. To obtain this licence, employers must meet specific requirements set by the UK Home Office. Below is an overview of the process:
1Determine eligibility
Employers must verify that their organisation meets the Home Office’s criteria, including having an established presence in the UK, genuine recruitment needs, and having appropriate Human Resources systems in place to monitor sponsored employees.
2Application submission
The employer must complete and submit an online application form via the Home Office dedicated portal, providing all required documentation. These documents are required to confirm the legitimacy of the business and its capacity to meet sponsorship obligations.
3Pay the application fee
The fee for a Sponsor Licence depends on the size of the organisation. Small businesses and charities typically pay a lower fee compared to larger companies.
4Home Office assessment
Once the application is submitted, the Home Office may assess the organisation’s compliance readiness. This could involve an on-site visit to ensure robust HR systems are in place.
5Decision and licence issuance
If the Home Office approves the application, the employer will be issued a Sponsor Licence and added to the online register of licensed sponsors. Once obtained, the licence does not need to be renewed, and it will last until the employer decides to surrender it. It could also be revoked by the Home Office in some circumstances, when the business is notn-compliant with UK Visa and Immigration regulations. Now, the business can issue Certificates of Sponsorship (COS) to eligible employees.
6Ongoing compliance
Licensed sponsors must comply with Home Office regulations, including maintaining accurate records, reporting any changes, and ensuring sponsored employees adhere to their visa conditions.
Processing timeline
- The standard processing time for a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence application is up to 8 weeks.
- Employers can opt for the pre-licence priority service to expedite the process.
- The priority service costs an additional £500, payable to the UKVI, and reduces the decision timeline to 10 working days.
- Availability for the priority service is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Why choosing MGBe Legal for Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence?
Trust MGBe Legal to make the Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence process seamless and hassle-free.
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FAQs
1What is a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence?
It authorises UK employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers under the Skilled Worker visa route.
2How long does the application take?
Up to 8 weeks standard; priority service available for 10 working days processing.
3What are the requirements for employers?
Active UK company, genuine vacancy, compliance with Home Office criteria, and valid sponsorship systems.
4Who can be sponsored under this licence?
Skilled workers with job offers meeting skill, salary, and English language requirements.
5What does the process include?
Application, compliance assessment, issuing Certificates of Sponsorship, and ongoing reporting duties.
6What is a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and when do employers issue it?
A Certificate of Sponsorship is a document issued by the employer to a prospective employee confirming that the job meets Skilled Worker visa requirements. The employer can only issue a CoS after obtaining their Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence, and the worker uses it as part of their visa application.
7What is the Immigration Skills Charge and when must it be paid?
The Immigration Skills Charge is a fee payable by the sponsor employer when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship to a skilled worker. The sponsor must ensure this charge is paid before the worker can proceed with their visa application to meet the Skilled Worker requirements.
8What English language proficiency level is required for Skilled Worker applicants?
From 8th January, 2026, applicants must demonstrate proficiency at CEFR Level B2 or equivalent. This can be proven through an approved English language test or by holding a relevant academic qualification earned in an English-speaking country.
9Does the Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence need to be renewed?
No, once obtained, the licence does not require renewal and remains valid indefinitely. However, it can be revoked by the Home Office if the employer fails to comply with UK Visa and Immigration regulations or breaches of sponsorship duties.
10What are the cost differences between small businesses and large companies for the Sponsor Licence?
The application fee depends on organisation size, with small businesses and charities typically paying lower fees than larger companies. You’re usually a small sponsor if at least 2 of the following apply:
your annual turnover is £15 million or less,
your total assets are worth £7.5 million or less,
you have 50 employees or fewer
11What health and security documents must prospective Skilled Workers provide?
Applicants must provide a valid tuberculosis (TB) certificate if required, and a criminal record certificate when applicable, depending on the prospective role. These documents ensure health and security compliance before the visa is granted, and the worker enters the UK.
12What are the new sponsorship costs?
As of December 2025, the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) increased by 32%. Large sponsors now pay £1,320 per year, and small/charitable sponsors pay £480 per year.
13Do I need to renew my Sponsor Licence?
No. Sponsor Licences issued or active after April 2024 no longer require renewal and remain valid indefinitely, though compliance audits remain mandatory.
