A Sponsorship Licence is official permission from the UK Home Office that allows UK employers to hire foreign workers. Once licensed, the company can issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to skilled employees from outside the UK.
The employer can sponsor workers for both short-term and long-term roles. Skilled Worker visas can be issued for up to 5 years and extended later if needed.
This visa leads to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after 5 years for both the worker and their dependants.
Both sole traders and limited companies can apply. There is no minimum turnover requirement.
You cannot apply if:
• You have unspent criminal convictions related to immigration, fraud, or money laundering
• Your company had a sponsor licence revoked in the past 12 months
The licence allows companies to sponsor workers under several visa routes, including:
• Skilled Worker
• Health and Care Worker
• Global Business Mobility routes (e.g. Senior/Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, etc.)
• Government Authorised Exchange
• International Sportsperson, Creative, Religious or Charity Worker
Once approved, the company gains access to the Sponsorship Management System (SMS), where they can issue Certificates of Sponsorship to eligible employees. Each certificate contains a unique reference number required for visa applications.
ACCORDING TO THE HOME OFFICE POINT SYSTEM, THE APPLICANT MUST SCORE AT LEAST 70 POINTS.
MANDATORY 50 POINTS:
ADDITIONAL 20 POINTS:
Skilled Workers may take up additional work for up to 20 hours per week outside their main working hours. This secondary job must be in the same occupation code or on the shortage occupation list.
If the new job exceeds 20 hours or falls outside the eligible list, a new CoS and visa application is required.
MOST APPLICATIONS ARE PROCESSED WITHIN 8 WEEKS.
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