What is a sponsor licence?
A sponsor licence is the Home Office’s permission for an eligible organisation to sponsor workers under specified immigration routes. It is held by the employer. A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a separate electronic record assigned to an individual worker; the worker must then meet the relevant visa requirements. Holding a licence does not guarantee a visa.
Some people already have permission to work without sponsorship, including people with indefinite leave to remain. The first step is to establish whether sponsorship is needed for the individual and role.
Can your business apply?
Eligibility depends on your organisation, its proposed sponsorship arrangements and its ability to meet sponsor duties. You need appropriate people and working HR systems. The Home Office may examine documents and carry out a compliance visit.
We can discuss your trading circumstances, proposed recruitment, key personnel and application evidence. Any previous refusal, licence revocation or suitability concern needs individual consideration before applying.
Check the route, role and worker
A licence application should reflect your actual business needs. Skilled Worker sponsorship requires an eligible occupation and the applicable salary, alongside the worker’s own visa requirements. Salary exceptions and transitional provisions can matter; a job title alone does not establish eligibility.
Current Skilled Worker English rules generally require B2. Certain people who held this visa before 8 January 2026 and extend or update it remain subject to B1 provisions. International business transfers and expansion use the relevant Global Business Mobility route where its conditions are met.
Check current role and salary requirements · Check English requirements and transitional provisions
Preparing and submitting the application
- Assess the proposed route, business circumstances and role.
- Identify the evidence required for your organisation and prepare suitable HR arrangements.
- Appoint suitable key personnel and submit the application and supporting documents.
- Prepare for any Home Office questions or compliance check.
- After approval, plan CoS assignments and continuing duties.
The Home Office currently says most licence applications are dealt with in less than eight weeks. Priority availability and timescales vary; approval and a recruitment start date cannot be guaranteed.
Fees and planning your costs
As checked on 7 September 2026, the Home Office Worker sponsor licence application fee is £611 for a qualifying small or charitable sponsor and £1,682 for a medium or large sponsor. Different licence combinations and existing permissions can affect the fee.
Budget separately for any applicable CoS fee, Immigration Skills Charge, visa costs and professional fees. Rules restrict which sponsorship costs can be recovered from workers. We will explain our proposed scope and fees before work starts; government charges are separate.
Verify current application fees · CoS and associated charges
Ongoing sponsor compliance support
Sponsorship continues after approval. Employers must maintain relevant records, monitor sponsored workers and report required changes. Failure to meet duties can lead to action against the licence.
You can enquire about support with your records, reporting process, team responsibilities and planning for future sponsorship. Continuing support needs an agreed scope and review timetable. Your organisation retains responsibility for compliance and must keep suitable internal personnel.
Home Office: sponsor responsibilities · Sponsorship management roles
How we scope ongoing employer support
Practical questions
Is the licence the same as a work visa?
No. The employer’s licence, the worker’s CoS and the visa application are distinct steps.
Can you help an existing sponsor?
Yes, you can enquire about ongoing support. We assess the work required and explain the scope and fees before agreeing an engagement.
Can a business in Türkiye or Dubai enquire?
Yes. Tell us about the existing business and any UK operation or expansion plans. We will assess which advice is relevant; overseas ownership or incorporation alone does not establish sponsorship eligibility.
For a planned UK operation, read our UK Expansion Worker guide and business establishment guidance before describing the support you need.
Do you find sponsored jobs?
We advise on immigration and sponsorship. We do not advertise vacancies or provide recruitment services.
Discuss your business needs
Tell us about your business, the support you need and your timing. No confidential employee documents are needed for the first enquiry.
Discuss your business needsRelated services
Skilled Worker visas · Global Business Mobility
General information, not an assessment of an individual application. The rules and charges can change; eligibility and current requirements must be checked for the proposed work.