Sponsor Licence & HR Compliance Support
Applying for a sponsor licence is the first step to hiring overseas talent. A poorly prepared application can be refused or result in a compliance visit. We make sure your application is complete, compliant, and right first time.
A UK sponsor licence authorises you to employ nationals from outside the UK and Ireland who require immigration permission to work. Without one, you cannot issue Certificates of Sponsorship or sponsor workers under the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, or other work routes. The Home Office assesses both your eligibility and the robustness of your HR systems before granting a licence — and our role is to ensure you are fully prepared.
From initial eligibility check through to licence approval, we manage the entire process on your behalf.
Before applying, we carry out a detailed assessment of your business to confirm you meet the Home Office eligibility criteria. This includes confirming you are genuinely trading in the UK, have no relevant unspent convictions, and have a genuine need to sponsor overseas workers. We identify any issues that could affect your application before submission.
The Home Office requires sponsors to have adequate HR systems in place to monitor sponsored workers and prevent illegal working. We review your existing processes for right-to-work checks, record keeping, absence monitoring, and contract management — and advise on any gaps that need addressing before you apply.
Every sponsor licence requires the appointment of an Authorising Officer, a Key Contact, and at least one Level 1 User on the Sponsor Management System (SMS). We advise on who should hold each role, what their responsibilities are, and how to ensure your key personnel meet the Home Office's requirements.
You may need a Worker Licence (for Skilled Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker, Minister of Religion, and Sportsperson routes), a Temporary Worker Licence (for Creative Worker, Charity Worker, Service Supplier, and other short-term routes), or both. We advise on the correct licence structure for your business needs.
We prepare a bespoke document checklist based on your organisation type — limited company, partnership, charity, public body, or overseas entity with a UK branch. We review all documents before submission to ensure they meet the Home Office requirements and reduce the risk of a request for further information.
We draft and review your online application through the Home Office Sponsor Management System, including all supporting information and declarations. We submit the application on your behalf or guide your team through the submission process, ensuring every section is completed correctly.
After submission, the Home Office may carry out a pre-licence compliance visit to verify your HR systems and business premises before granting the licence. We prepare you for this visit, advise on what to expect, and support you through any follow-up correspondence with the Home Office.
These are the Home Office fees payable at the time of application. Our professional fees are quoted separately.
| Licence Type | Small / Charitable Sponsor | Medium / Large Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Worker Licence | £536 | £1,476 |
| Temporary Worker Licence | £536 | £536 |
| Worker & Temporary Worker | £536 | £1,476 |
Small sponsor: fewer than 50 employees. Charitable sponsors always pay the small sponsor fee regardless of size.
Get started
Apply online, book a consultation, or contact us directly to discuss your requirements.
Contact us directly
General enquiries
info@visaprofessionals.comSpeak to Irfan directly
irfan@visaprofessionals.comPhone
0203 137 8699