UK Employer Sponsor Licence
If you are a UK employer wishing to hire skilled workers from outside the UK, you will need a Sponsor Licence issued by the Home Office. Without a valid Sponsor Licence, you cannot legally employ most overseas nationals who do not already have the Right to Work in the UK. Visa Professionals has an excellent track record of helping businesses of all sizes obtain and maintain their Sponsor Licences.
Types of Sponsor Licence
Worker Sponsor Licence
The Worker Sponsor Licence is for employers seeking to hire skilled international workers for long-term or permanent positions. It allows you to sponsor employees under several visa categories including the Skilled Worker Visa, Senior or Specialist Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility), Minister of Religion Visa, and International Sportsperson Visa.
Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence
The Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence enables UK employers to recruit international staff for short-term roles, including volunteer positions. It covers visa categories such as Creative Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, Graduate Trainee, Service Supplier, Charity Worker and Seasonal Worker routes.
Eligibility Requirements
- Your business must be genuinely trading and lawfully operating in the UK
- Good compliance history — no unspent immigration convictions or previous licence revocation in the last 12 months
- Suitable HR systems in place to monitor sponsored workers and prevent illegal working
- Genuine business need to sponsor overseas workers
- Appointed Key Personnel (Authorising Officer, Key Contact, Level 1 User)
Sponsor Licence Fees
| Licence Type | Small/Charitable Sponsor | Medium/Large Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Worker Licence | £536 | £1,476 |
| Temporary Worker Licence | £536 | £536 |
| Worker & Temporary Worker | £536 | £1,476 |
Sponsor Compliance Duties
Once you hold a Sponsor Licence, you have ongoing duties including: monitoring and reporting changes in sponsored workers’ circumstances within 10 working days, conducting right-to-work checks, maintaining detailed personnel records, and keeping records of job advertisements. Non-compliance can result in licence suspension or revocation.
Contact Visa Professionals on 0203 137 8699 or email info@visaprofessionals.com for expert Sponsor Licence assistance.