The Checklist

1. 1

   Confirm your organisation's eligibility

   Check that your business is operating lawfully in the UK and has a genuine vacancy or business need for sponsorship.

2. 2

   Gather your organisational documents

   Prepare your certificate of incorporation, latest accounts or VAT registration, and evidence of your registered office or trading address.

3. 3

   Appoint your key personnel

   Identify your Authorising Officer, Key Contact and Level 1 User, who must each meet the Home Office's suitability requirements.

4. 4

   Prepare evidence of trading or premises

   Depending on your business type, gather bank statements, lease agreements, or evidence of trading activity covering the required period.

5. 5

   Complete the SMS registration

   Set up access to the Sponsorship Management System ahead of submission.

6. 6

   Submit supporting HR systems evidence

   Show that you have processes in place to monitor right to work checks, absences and changes in circumstances for sponsored workers.

7. 7

   Pay the correct licence fee

   Confirm whether your organisation qualifies as a small sponsor or medium/large sponsor, as this affects the fee payable.

Common Employer Mistakes

• Submitting outdated company documents
• Failing to evidence a genuine vacancy
• Appointing key personnel who do not meet suitability requirements
• Incomplete HR systems for right to work monitoring
• Applying under the wrong sponsor size category

Visa Professionals Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) to provide immigration advice and immigration services. IAA Registration Number: F201000109. This guide provides general information only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. For advice on your specific circumstances, please contact us directly.