Comprehensive Guide to Sponsor Licence Requirements
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Am I Eligible To Apply For A Sponsor Licence?
Am I Eligible To Apply For A Sponsor Licence?
To employ workers from overseas, any UK employer must possess a Sponsor Licence or Sponsorship Licence (previously known as Tier 2 Sponsor Licence).
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Basic Requirements
1. Company Operate in the UK
Your business should be registered and legally operating in the UK.
2. Appoint Key Personnel
Appoint an Authorising Officer, Key Contact, and Level 1 User who is settled in the UK or has EU settled or pre-settled status. They must be an employee or office holder of the company.
3. No Criminal Convictions:
The applicants and key personnel must not have any unspent criminal convictions for immigration offenses or crimes such as fraud or money laundering.
4. Previous Licence Status:
You must not have had a sponsor licence revoked in the past 12 months.
6. A Genuine Vacancy
You have a genuine vacancy that needs filling.
5. Having a Robust HR System
You must have a robust HR system to monitor sponsored workers’ attendance, absences, and contact details.
What Documents Are Required?
What Documents Are Required?
To apply for a UK Sponsor Licence, you will be required to submit at least 4 mandatory documents. These include but are not limited to:
- Proof of business premises
- HMRC PAYE confirmation letter
- VAT Certificate
- Employer’s Liability Insurance
- Evidence of a UK business bank account or annual accounts
- Proof of registration with a regulator (if applicable) among others
Sponsor Licence Fees
Sponsor Licence Fees
The Home Office fee to obtain a sponsor licence varies depending on the type of organisation:
Small or Charitable* Sponsor: £536
Large Sponsor: £1,476
* Charitable organisations must be registered charities in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, as well as tax-exempt organisations and ecclesiastical corporations with charitable aims.
An organisation qualifies as a small sponsor if it meets at least 2 of the following criteria:
Annual turnover of £10.2 million or less
Total assets of approximately £5.1 million or less
50 employees or fewer
Certificate of Sponsorship Issue Fee
Certificate of Sponsorship Issue Fee
£239 per COS
Process of Obtaining a Sponsor Licence
Process of Obtaining a Sponsor Licence
- 1-Prepare Your Organisation: Confirm your UK-based organisation fulfils all sponsor licence eligibility criteria, including legal operation and capability to adhere to sponsor duties.
- 2-Appoint Key Personnel: Assign roles such as authorising officer, key contact, and level 1 user to individuals without relevant criminal offences and who are settled workers, preferably company officers or senior employees.
- 3-Provide Supporting Documents: Include essential documents like VAT registration and employer’s liability insurance certificates in the Home Office’s specified format to validate your organisation’s operation.
- 4-Pay the Application Fee: The fee is £536 for small companies/charities, and £1,476 for medium/large companies. Ensure correct payment to prevent delays or reapplication.
- 5-Potential Home Office Compliance Visit: The UKVI may inspect your organisation to verify application details and HR systems’ compliance with sponsor duties.
- 6-Decision From the Home Office: Expect a decision within eight weeks. Successful applications receive an A or B sponsor licence rating, while rejections come with explanations and further.
What Will We Discuss During the Consultation?
What Will We Discuss During the Consultation?
Procedures, time frames, and associated costs
Criteria for qualifying for the Sponsor Licence application
HR responsibilities and regulatory compliance
COmpliance audit
Personalised & Comprehensive Approach With No Bureaucracy
Personalised & Comprehensive Approach With No Bureaucracy
We provide a one-to-one service, bypassing the typical bureaucracy found in larger firms. Your case will be managed by an experienced solicitor, not case workers or paralegals.
From SMEs in hospitality to technology and FCA-regulated firms, our lawyers have a wide range of industry experience and are familiar with each industry’s nuances.
Success rate in all cases handled! This has been achieved through setting ambitious yet attainable immigration goals.
Instead of paralegals & case workers, your case will be overseen by a senior partner.
Our Testimonials
Our Testimonials
This firm can only be described as excellent. Their knowledge of immigration law is second to none. The fast efficient way that they deal with situations is first-class professionalism at its very best. Once you have used Jay and his team you will never use anyone else.
Jay Moghal of Rove Legal is extremely professional and has deep and impressive knowledge of all aspects of immigration law and procedure. He is creative and a great communicator, fierce and energising, encouraging the pursuit of his clients’ cases with impeccable judgement. I would not hesitate to recommend Jay. His knowledge and professionalism shines through in every event.
Jay and his team assisted with switching over from a student BRP to a spousal one. All I had to do was show up to my appointment and take my fingerprints/photos. They handled the rest! What a dream.
Rove Legal were an absolute dream to deal with. Jay Moghal was our appointed lawyer and he was excellent to deal with. He ensured we submitted all of the required documents and when our application was delayed with COVID challenges he chased the UK Government to expedite the issue and ensure a successful outcome. Highly recommend Rove Legal and Jay to anyone who needs immigration to support.
Highly recommended. Jay is a thorough professional, who reviewed the case in depth, looked after all the aspects and his suggestions on what I should submit with the case were spot on. I don’t think my case would have been accepted without his help.
I had a very good experience with Mr Jay Moghal. I faced a couple of problems and appreciate his professionalism and transparency to deal with my issues and solve the problem. I highly recommend him.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible to apply for a Sponsor Licence?
In order to be eligible for a skilled worker sponsor licence, an organisation must have a physical presence in the UK and conduct its operations lawfully. The UKVI assesses the recruitment and HR systems to ensure effective monitoring of migrant workers and compliance with sponsor obligations. Leveraging our experience, we provide a complimentary assessment to identify any additional factors that could affect the application.
What are the requirements for getting a Sponsor Licence?
To apply, the organisation is required to submit an online application along with supporting information and documents. Typically, a minimum of four documents are necessary, which may include proof of business premises, evidence of a corporate bank account, VAT Certificate, HMRC PAYE confirmation letter, Employer’s Liability Insurance, and proof of registration with the Regulator, among others.
What are the fees associated with acquiring a Sponsor Licence application through your services?
Prices for Sponsor licensing enquiries vary significantly, and quotes will be provided on an hourly or fixed fee basis once we have established the requirements of your case.
What is the typical processing time for obtaining a Sponsor Licence?
In the event of an unsuccessful Sponsor Licence application, what options are available for recourse?
Upon the refusal of the skilled worker sponsor licence application, the organisation will receive written explanations for the decision. If there are no factors triggering a cooling off period, the organisation can immediately submit a new application. The length of the cooling off period, either 6 or 12 months, depends on the specific reasons behind the UKVI’s refusal. While we may provide assistance in cases where errors were made by the case worker, a complete reconsideration is not possible. However, organisations have the option to challenge the decision through a Judicial Review.
How much is the Home Office fee for Sponsor Licence applications?
The sponsorship licence cost is determined by the size of the organisation and the type of licence required. As of August 2021, the Home Office fees for a skilled worker sponsor licence application are £536 for small or charitable businesses, and £1476 for medium or large businesses. To qualify as a small business, the organisation should have an annual turnover of £10.2 million or less and employ 50 individuals or fewer.
Am I allowed to recruit foreign workers from both outside and within the UK?
Irrespective of their location, organisations have the opportunity to hire foreign workers, whether they are seeking entry to the UK from abroad or are already present and eligible for sponsorship within the country. To determine the optimal route and strategy for licence application and skilled work visa application on behalf of employees, our corporate immigration team is ready to provide assistance and guidance.
