sponsor licenses
The application process
SMA Solicitors will be pleased to help with applications for sponsor licences in all areas of the Points-Based System (PBS). Sponsorship can be the lifeblood of a business by allowing you to have access to a global pool of talent and skills which may not be easily found on the residential labour market. As with all of the services we offer at SMA, we can advise and assist from the very beginning of the application process but are also on hand if you have already submitted an application for a licence and have received a refusal decision.
Factors:
The factors you will need to demonstrate as part of the application process include:
1.Your business is a genuine organisation operating in this country;
2.You, as a sponsor, will be reliable in acting as the eyes and ears of the Home Office;
3.You will be capable of carrying out the duties held by a sponsor and that have the systems in place to allow you to so;
4.You can offer genuine employment that is not used as a disguise in order to allow someone to stay in the United Kingdom.
Abuses to the PBS over the years have meant that the Home Office has tightened the application process and it is crucial that your application is submitted including the relevant documents required by the Rules and with clear and comprehensive explanations of how you will ensure and enforce compliance. If you would like assistance with the application process or an upcoming visit as part of the application, please contact our expert team for tailored, user-friendly and comprehensive advice.
How SMA Law Can Help?
Our expertise extends beyond legal representation; we strive to empower individuals facing apply for a UK visa by advocating for their rights, offering strategic advice, and meticulously preparing their cases. We aim to navigate the legal complexities and provide reassurance and clarity throughout the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any UK employer looking to hire workers from outside the UK for roles such as Skilled Workers or temporary routes needs a Sponsor Licence. This includes businesses of all sizes, educational bodies and public organisations. You can’t assign a Certificate of Sponsorship without one.
Standard processing with UKVI takes around eight weeks on average. For a faster decision, you can use priority services, though these remain at UKVI’s discretion.
To qualify, your organisation must be a genuine, lawfully operating UK business (e.g., LLP, Ltd, sole trader) with proper premises and banking. You must appoint reliable key personnel (Authorising Officer, Key Contact, Level 1 User) with no relevant criminal convictions. You must also demonstrate robust HR systems to manage sponsored workers and meet route-specific requirements.
Typically, a Sponsor Licence was valid for four years. From April 2024, new licences issued with an expiry date on or after 6 April 2024 are automatically extended for an additional 10 years.
Responsibilities include:
- Verifying workers’ right to work and qualifications
- Assigning CoS only for suitable roles
- Tracking and reporting key changes via the Sponsorship Management System such as absences, job changes or personnel updates within specified timescales
Maintaining accurate records and ensuring all sponsored workers comply with their terms. Failures may lead to licence enforcement actions by the Home Office.
Consequences range from licence downgrade, suspension or full revocation. You may be asked to submit an action plan to regain compliance, face a cooling-off period before reapplying and your sponsored workers may have their visas curtailed. In serious cases, civil penalties or criminal referrals are possible.
You must include: business incorporation documents, proof of trading address, financial evidence, IDs and CVs of key personnel, role descriptions or contracts for sponsored jobs and evidence of your HR processes. These demonstrate your suitability and readiness to manage your sponsor duties effectively.
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