Temporary Worker – Sponsor Licence
What is a Temporary Worker – Sponsor Licence?
A temporary worker sponsor licence is an authorisation granted by the UK Home Office that allows organisations to sponsor overseas individuals for temporary roles in the UK. This licence is designed to facilitate the recruitment of international talent for short-term positions, enabling businesses to address specific operational needs while adhering to immigration rules.
To obtain this licence, organisations must demonstrate their eligibility and readiness to fulfil sponsorship duties, including having robust HR systems to monitor sponsored workers and ensuring compliance with Home Office regulations. With this licence, businesses can enhance their workforce flexibility moving employees within linked entities. For detailed guidance, refer to the gov.uk resources.
Types of visas under the Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence
Charity worker
For unpaid voluntary roles within charitable organisations.
Creative worker
For individuals in creative industries, such as actors, musicians, or artists.
Government authorised exchange
For work experience, training, or research through approved schemes.
International agreement
For workers coming to the UK under international law or treaty obligations.
Religious worker
For those undertaking religious work, such as preaching or pastoral duties.
Seasonal worker
For temporary roles in specific sectors, like agriculture.
Eligibility requirements for a Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence
To obtain a Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence, your organisation must meet specific eligibility criteria set by the UK Home Office:
Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence process
The Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence process enables UK organisations to sponsor overseas individuals for temporary employment across various sectors. To obtain this licence, your organisation must adhere to the following steps:
1Assess Eligibility
Ensure your organisation is legally established and operating in the UK, with appropriate registrations and a genuine need for temporary workers. Implement robust human resource systems to monitor sponsored employees and ensure compliance with immigration laws.
2Prepare documentation
Gather necessary documents to demonstrate your organisation's legitimacy and capability to meet sponsorship duties. This may include proof of business registration, financial records, and evidence of active trading.
3Submit the application
Complete and submit the online application form via the Home Office portal, providing all required information and uploading supporting documents. Ensure accuracy to avoid delays.
4Pay the application fee
The fee for a Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence depends on the size and type of your organisation. Small businesses and charities typically pay a lower fee compared to larger companies.
5Home office assessment
The Home Office will assess your application, which may include an on-site visit to verify your HR systems and compliance readiness.
6Decision and licence issuance
If approved, your organisation will be granted a temporary worker sponsor licence, which remains valid until surrendered by the company, or revoked by the UK Visa and Immigration for non-compliance or other reasons. A sponsor licence allows you to assign certificates of sponsorship (COS) to eligible overseas workers under the temporary worker routes.
7Ongoing compliance
As a licensed sponsor, you must adhere to ongoing duties, including maintaining accurate records of sponsored workers, reporting any changes to the Home Office, and ensuring sponsored employees comply with the conditions of their visa.
Processing timeline
The processing time for a Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence application is typically up to 8 weeks. However, employers can opt for the pre-licence priority service, which, for an additional £500, expedites the decision to within 10 working days. This service is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Why choose MGBe Legal for Temporary Worker – Sponsor Licence?
Trust MGBe Legal to make the Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence process seamless and hassle-free.
Latest from Our Blogs:
Benchmarking and performance metrics
20+
Years of expertise in immigration services
200+
Complex cases resolved annually
100%
Client satisfaction
Immigration Assistance
Expert services for individuals seeking UK immigration and visa support.
FAQs
1What is a Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence?
A licence allowing organisations to sponsor overseas workers for short-term, sponsored roles in the UK.
2Which visa types are covered?
Charity, creative, government exchange, international agreement, religious, and seasonal worker visas.
3What eligibility criteria must be met?
Registered business, genuine need, key personnel assigned, clean immigration compliance, and visa-specific rules.
4What is the licence processing timeline?
Usually up to 8 weeks; the priority option reduces it to 10 working days.
5Can this licence help with workforce flexibility?
Yes, it allows businesses to move employees within linked entities and meet operational needs.
6What is the minimum age requirement for a Skilled Worker visa applicant?
Applicants must be aged 18 or over to be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa. There is no upper age limit, and the requirement applies to all prospective employees regardless of their occupation or experience level.
7What does genuine vacancy mean in the context of Skilled Worker sponsorship?
A genuine vacancy means the role being sponsored must be a real, existing job position within the company that genuinely requires to be filled. The employer must demonstrate that the role is legitimate and necessary for business operations, not created artificially for sponsorship purposes.
8What roles do HR and recruitment systems play in obtaining a Sponsor Licence?
Employers must have appropriate and robust HR and recruitment systems in place to monitor sponsored employees and ensure ongoing compliance with immigration laws. The Home Office assesses these systems during audits, and employers must maintain them throughout their sponsorship obligations.
9What happens if the Home Office conducts an on-site visit during the assessment?
The Home Office may visit the employer's premises to verify that robust HR systems and compliance measures are in place. This assessment helps confirm that the organisation can meet its sponsorship duties and maintaining accurate records of sponsored workers.
10How to demonstrate an appropriate job skill level requirement?
The employer must classify the job under the appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code and show it meets the required skill level. They provide role details that align with qualified occupation codes in the Skilled Worker visa criteria.
