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Applying for a Sponsor Licence
Frequently Asked Questions
A sponsor licence is an authorisation from the Home Office that allows UK-based employers to hire a person who is not a settled worker or who does not otherwise have immigration permission to work for you.
You will need a sponsor licence if you wish to employ a person who is not a settled worker or who does not have existing immigration permission to work for you in the UK.
No, the Home Office will not grant a licence if you intend to sponsor workers in a personal capacity. The only exception is for diplomatic missions, consular posts, or recognised international organisations on the International Agreement route sponsoring a private servant in a diplomatic household.
Sponsorship is based on two main principles:
- It is a privilege, not a right. This means sponsors must help ensure the immigration system is not abused, comply with UK law, and not act in a way that is not conducive to the public good.
- It demonstrates that a trustworthy employer genuinely wishes to employ an eligible overseas national.
Application Process
You must apply by completing the online application form, paying the correct fee, and submitting the supporting documents listed in Appendix A of the sponsor guidance.
Before applying, you should:
- Decide which immigration routes you wish to be licensed for.
- Appoint an Authorising Officer and nominate a Level User.
- If you have multiple branches, decide how you will register them.
- Estimate how many Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) you will need in your first year.
The fee depends on the type of licence and the size or status of your organisation. You are eligible for the 'small' fee if you are applying for Temporary Worker routes only, have charitable status, or are subject to the small companies regime. In all other cases, you must pay the 'large' fee.
No, the fee is for the consideration of your application and will not be refunded if your application is refused or if you withdraw it after consideration has begun.
No, you must make the application yourself. A representative can help you complete the form, but they cannot send it for you. If a representative sends the application, it will be refused.
After submitting the online form, you must email the following documents within working days:
- All pages of the submission sheet, signed and dated by your Authorising Officer.
- The mandatory supporting documents specified in Appendix A.
Key Personnel
When you apply for a licence, you must nominate people for three roles, known as 'Key Personnel'. These are the Authorising Officer, Key Contact, and Level User.
The Authorising Officer must be a senior and competent person in your organisation. They are responsible for the recruitment of all sponsored workers and for ensuring you meet your sponsor duties. This person must be a paid member of staff or an office holder within your organisation.
A Level User is responsible for the day-to-day management of the licence via the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). Their tasks include assigning Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS), reporting changes to your organisation, and reporting worker activity. At least one Level User must be an employee, director, or partner within your organisation.
Yes, the three main roles can be filled by the same person or by a combination of different people, as long as they are eligible for each role.
Requirements and Compliance
The Home Office will assess if you are a genuine organisation operating lawfully in the UK. It will also check that you are honest, dependable, reliable, and capable of carrying out your sponsor duties. This may involve a pre-licence compliance check.
A compliance check is used to verify that you are capable of meeting your sponsor duties. It can include a visit to your premises, a digital inspection, or a review of information you have submitted.
Your application will be refused if you or any of your Key Personnel have an unspent conviction for a relevant offence listed in Annex L
A 'cooling-off period' is a specified time during which you cannot make a successful application after a previous application was refused or a previous licence was revoked. The length of this period depends on the circumstances but is typically or months.
If your application is approved, you will be given an A-rating, which is awarded on the basis that you have systems in place to meet your sponsor duties. If your application is for the UK Expansion Worker route, you may be given a 'Provisional' rating initially.
The SMS is the online system you will use to manage your licence once it is granted. You will use it to assign CoS and report changes about your organisation or your sponsored workers. Your Level User should access the account at least once a month.
Above FAQ are not a substitute for legal advice. Always refer to the latest guidance on the GOV.UK website. We recommend consulting an immigration solicitor for further help. Last updated based on guidance available as of June 2025