As a UK business, you have the opportunity to apply to the Home Office, UKVI for a UK Sponsor Licence application, enabling you to legally hire and sponsor skilled migrant workers. The Home Office issues a UK sponsor Licence exclusively to UK-based organisations, allowing employers to sponsor foreign workers for roles within their business.Only businesses, not individuals, are eligible to become Home office-approved licenced sponsors, and once granted, your business will appear on the official Home Office register of licenced sponsors. Aden & Co Solicitors offers a Fast Track Service for sponsor Licence applications, ensuring a decision on your application within 10 working days.

Free Immigration Advice for Sponsor Licence Application

Our expert team of immigration solicitors at Aden & Co can provide complimentary one-off immigration advice online regarding your sponsor Licence application uk. You can either submit your questions directly online or schedule an appointment with one of our immigration experts for in-depth consultation and guidance on your sponsor Licence application uk process.

Fast-Track Service for Submitting Request for Sponsor Licence Priority Service

Aden & Co Solicitors also offers a specialized one-off service to submit your sponsor licence application via the Home Office Priority Service. Through this expedited process, you can receive a decision within 10 working days, compared to the standard 8-week timeline. Please note that the Home Office charges an additional £500 for processing applications through the Priority Service.

“You can opt for the Priority Service for your sponsor Licence application either when you initially submit your application or later, if your application is already in progress under the standard service with Home Office UKVI. This expedited service allows for faster processing, ensuring a quicker decision on your sponsor Licence.”

Under our Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), if we do not successfully submit your sponsor Licence application via the Priority Service within 48 hours of receiving your payment, we will fully refund all fees without any deductions. However, if we manage to submit your application within the specified timeframe, a fixed fee of £250 + VAT (£300 including VAT) will apply, based on the CFA agreed upon between you and Aden & Co Solicitors.

Expert Immigration Services for Sponsor Licence Applications

At Aden & Co Solicitors, our dedicated team of immigration specialists offers expert advice and legal representation for sponsor Licence applications on a fixed fee basis. As experienced fast-track immigration lawyers registered with Home Office UKVI, we ensure expedited processing of your sponsor Licence application through the Priority Service.

Our comprehensive services cover the entire spectrum of sponsor Licence matters, including new Licence applications, renewals, and both defined and undefined Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS). We also provide assistance in challenging refusals, suspensions, or revocations of sponsor Licences by the Home Office.

“Aden & Co Solicitors are leading UK immigration experts, renowned for delivering exceptional legal services in UK visa and immigration matters. Our team of highly qualified and experienced solicitors consistently earns top marks, with 99% of our clients rating us 5 stars on Google Reviews. This exceptional feedback underscores our commitment to providing outstanding immigration solutions tailored to your needs.”

Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence Application

A Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence enables UK employers to sponsor qualified migrant workers to fill eligible skilled positions within their business. As a UK-based entity, you can apply for this Licence to hire skilled workers, whether they are already in the UK or abroad.

Under the current immigration regulations, “Skilled Worker” refers to individuals with permission under Appendix Skilled Worker or those who were Tier 2 (General) migrants before 1 December 2020. Notably, as of 1 December 2021, the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT) requirement has been abolished for sponsoring Skilled Worker visas.

If your business needs to employ a skilled migrant and the job role meets the necessary criteria, you can apply for a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence.

Health and Care Worker Sponsor Licence

The Health and Care Worker Sponsor Licence permits UK employers to sponsor Health and Care professionals to work in the UK in eligible roles within the health and care sector. UK businesses can apply for this Licence to hire Health and Care Workers from within or outside the UK.

A Health and Care Worker visa is designed for medical professionals to work in eligible positions with the NHS, NHS suppliers, or in adult social care. Applications are made under Appendix Skilled Workers. To qualify, applicants must:

• Be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional, or adult social care professional
• Work in an eligible health or social care job
• Be employed by a UK employer approved by the Home Office
• Hold a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from the employer detailing the role in the UK
• Meet the minimum salary requirement, which varies by job type

Care homes in the UK can also apply for a sponsor Licence to recruit international care workers to provide adult care services, provided they are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Care workers are listed on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), facilitating the sponsorship process under SOC code 6145 for roles such as care workers, carers, and care assistants. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), care workers and home carers address the personal needs of the elderly and infirm within residential care settings, day care facilities, or private homes.

T2 Minister of Religion Sponsor Licence Application

If you are a faith-based organization or religious order in the UK seeking to employ an international Minister of Religion, you can apply for a T2 Minister of Religion Sponsor License. This route is designed for individuals who play a pivotal role within their religious establishment, such as ministers, missionaries, members of religious orders, or other key religious workers involved primarily in pastoral duties. As of 1 December 2020, the T2 Minister of Religion visa route no longer requires a resident labour market test.

For the purposes of this Licence, a religious order is defined as a group living apart from society according to their religious devotion, such as a monastic community of monks or nuns, and must be part of a genuine religious organization. To qualify, your organization must:

• Be a bona fide religious institution with charitable status
• Represent a faith-based community with shared beliefs, spiritual goals, and practices

• Include any form of religious or similar transcendental belief, excluding purely political or philosophical beliefs

• Not discriminate based on gender, nationality, or ethnicity
• Receive voluntary financial and material support for its core ministry
• Comply with UK legislation and not harm public interest or personal life

Scale-up Worker Sponsor License Application

The Scale-up route is designed for employers experiencing rapid growth who need to recruit highly skilled workers from within or outside the UK. To employ Scale-up Workers, your business must apply for a Scale-up sponsor License, which allows you to hire individuals with high-skilled job offers from qualifying Scale-up sponsor for a minimum of six months.

To sponsor a Scale-up Worker, you must have a valid sponsor License specifically for the Scale-up route. If you don’t currently hold this License, you will need to apply by completing the online application form, paying the applicable fee, and providing any necessary supporting documentation.

To be eligible as a Scale-up sponsor, your business must:

• Have demonstrated an annual growth rate of at least 20% over the past three years, based on either staff numbers or turnover
• Have employed at least 10 staff at the start of the three-year period

The Home Office UKVI will use PAYE and/or VAT information submitted to HMRC to verify your eligibility.

International Sportsperson Sponsor License Application

To Sponsor and employ elite sportspersons or qualified sports coaches who can significantly contribute to their sport in the UK, your organization must hold an International Sportsperson Sponsor License. If you do not currently have this License, you must apply online form, pay the applicable fee, and provide the necessary documentation as outlined in Appendix A of the Sponsor guidance.

Your organization must be a UK-based sports body, club, or event organizer and must be endorsed by a Home Office-approved sports governing body to qualify for this License.

Senior or Specialist Worker Sponsor License Application

If your UK-based business wishes to Sponsor and employ overseas workers for temporary assignments in the UK, particularly those in senior or specialist roles, you need to apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker Sponsor License. This License allows you to hire workers who are assigned to you by a connected overseas business. To be eligible for this License, your UK business must have a clear link to the overseas entity, either through common ownership, control, or a joint venture agreement.

You can demonstrate a link to the overseas business in the following ways:

• One entity controls the board composition of the other.
• One entity holds a majority of shares in the other, granting more than half of the voting rights.
• Both entities share a common parent company that meets the above criteria.
• Both entities are part of a joint venture agreement, or one entity is formed by such an agreement.
• Both entities are linked by an agreement that would be considered a joint venture if permitted in the operational country or if joint ventures are restricted.
• For accountancy or law firms, linkage can be shown by mutual use of a trademark or operating under the same name in the UK and the other entity’s jurisdiction.
• For unincorporated associations, evidence such as a constitution or Articles of Association showing control of one entity over the other may be accepted.
• If an individual owns shares in both entities, they must hold a majority in each. Documentation of shareholding percentages must be provided.

If the connection between the two entities involved in the transfer is based on an individual holding shares in each, that individual must have a majority shareholding in both entities. You are required to submit documentary evidence showing the percentage of shares held in each.

In cases where your link to the overseas business is through a joint venture, the Home Office UKVI must be satisfied that the employee will be working as part of the joint venture arrangement before allowing you to Sponsor a Senior or Specialist Worker.

Joint ventures can take various forms, and the Home Office UKVI will request evidence confirming the venture’s active operation. When applying for the Sponsor License, you should provide as much of the following applicable documentation as possible:

• Companies House reference numbers for newly formed companies and details of the involved entities and their owners.
• Public announcements regarding the joint venture.
• Official letters from the overseas company or foreign investor outlining their investment intentions and naming the participating entities.
• A binding contract or partnership agreement detailing the investment, ownership, and project phases, including names and positions of the signatories.
• Evidence of prior involvement with the Department for International Trade (DIT) or devolved government departments if applicable.

The Home Office UKVI will not accept informal agreements as evidence of the need for a worker in the UK. The joint venture must be operational, and there must be a clear need for the worker as part of the agreement before the Home Office can approve your Senior or Specialist Worker Sponsor License application.

Temporary Worker Sponsor License Application

If you are a UK-based business or organization seeking to Sponsor individuals under one of the Temporary Worker visa categories, you need to apply for a Temporary Worker Sponsor License. Aden & Co Solicitors specialize in expediting Sponsor License applications, offering a priority service that ensures a decision on your Temporary Worker Sponsor License application within just 10 working days.

A Temporary Worker License enables you to Sponsor individuals for temporary roles, including positions for volunteering and job shadowing. However, this License is applicable only for specific types of employment and visa categories.

Categories of the Temporary Worker Sponsor License:

• Scale-up Worker: For individuals joining fast-growing UK businesses.
• Creative Worker: For roles in the creative sector, such as entertainers or artists, valid for up to 2 years.
• Charity Worker: For unpaid positions at charities, valid for up to 1 year.
• Religious Worker: For roles within a religious order or organization, valid for 2 years.
• Government Authorized Exchange: For work experience, research projects, or training, such as practical medical or scientific training, valid for up to 2 years, facilitating short-term knowledge exchange.
• International Agreement: For roles covered by international law, such as employees of foreign governments.
• Graduate Trainee (Global Business Mobility): For graduates transferring to a UK branch of their employer as part of a training programmer.
• Service Supplier (Global Business Mobility): For workers contracted to provide services to a UK company, valid for 6 or 12 months.
• UK Expansion Worker (Global Business Mobility): For workers establishing a new branch or subsidiary of their overseas employer in the UK.
• Secondment Worker (Global Business Mobility): For employees transferred to work for a different UK business under a high-value contract.
• Seasonal Worker: For individuals working in horticulture (e.g., fruit and vegetable picking) for up to 6 months or poultry (from October 18 to December 31 each year).

UK Expansion Worker Sponsor License Application

The UK Expansion Worker Sponsor License is designed for Sponsoring overseas employees tasked with setting up a branch or subsidiary of their overseas employer in the UK. This visa category has replaced the unsponsored sole representative provisions previously under the Representative of an Overseas Business visa route.

Our Sponsor License Services

At Aden & Co Solicitors, we provide comprehensive legal services related to Sponsor License applications. Our expert team can assist with all aspects of obtaining and managing a Sponsor License, ensuring compliance and efficiency throughout the process:

Initial Application for Sponsor License

To obtain a Sponsor License, UK businesses or organizations must apply online for Sponsor License visa via the Home Office UKVI website. After completing the online application, it is essential to submit the following documents to validate your application:

• The signed and dated submission sheet, including all pages.
• All mandatory documents listed on the submission sheet.
• These items must be sent together within 5 working days of completing the electronic application.

Aden & Co Solicitors can assist you in navigating this process efficiently. Our expert team ensures that your application meets all requirements, so the Home Office UKVI can conduct the necessary checks to join the Sponsor register and decide on your application. If approved, you will receive an SMS login ID and password to manage your Sponsor License online. The License is valid for 4 years and can be renewed online before it expires.

Renewal of Sponsor License

You can typically apply for the renewal of your Sponsor License within one month prior to its expiration. The renewal application is submitted online using the SMS login credentials provided by the Home Office UKVI. A Sponsor License is usually issued by the Home Office for a four-year term, and the Authorising Officer of the Sponsoring business is responsible for applying to renew the License every four years. Upon successful submission, the Home Office UKVI will extend the Sponsor License for another four-year period.

It is advisable to apply for renewal one month before the License’s expiration. The Home Office UKVI often sends email reminders ahead of the expiry date, urging you to submit your renewal application promptly. Failing to apply for renewal on time could result in the expiration of your License, requiring you to go through the entire application process from the beginning.

At Aden & Co Solicitors, our expert immigration solicitors specialise in handling Sponsor License renewal applications. As one of the leading Sponsor License solicitors, we possess a wealth of experience and knowledge in providing efficient, reliable, and fixed-fee Sponsor License renewal services. We have successfully assisted thousands of Sponsors in renewing their Licenses, and our high-quality service is reflected in the positive reviews from our clients.

Our team of Sponsor License specialists offers comprehensive guidance and support throughout the renewal process, ensuring that all necessary steps are completed until the Home Office UKVI reaches a decision on your renewal application. As part of our legal services, we will:

• Providing expert advice on the criteria required for the successful renewal of your Sponsor License.
• Guiding you through the procedures and steps necessary for Sponsor License renewal.
• Assisting with the completion and submission of the online application form for Sponsor License renewal.
• Supporting you in making the payment for the Home Office UKVI fee associated with the renewal process.
• Offering assistance in preparing for a potential Home Office compliance visit, should UKVI decide to conduct one before making a decision on your renewal application.
• Handling all follow-up tasks and communications until the Home Office UKVI reaches a decision on your Sponsor License renewal application.

Requesting Allocation of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

To Sponsor a migrant worker, you must have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) assigned to you by the Home Office UKVI. If you have not yet been allocated a CoS, you can submit a request for its allocation. Depending on your specific situation, you will need to request either an undefined or a defined CoS. You can expedite this process by using the Priority Service, where the Home Office UKVI will make a decision on your allocation request within 5 working days.

At Aden & Co Solicitors, our expert team of Sponsor License solicitors can assist with your application for additional CoS allocation through the Priority Service, ensuring you receive a decision within 5 working days. We offer support with this process at a reasonable and competitive fixed fee, ensuring a smooth and efficient outcome for your CoS allocation request.

Assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to Migrant Workers

Once you secure a Skilled Worker Sponsor License, you can assign CoS to migrant workers for UK employment. This assignment is crucial for migrants to qualify for entry clearance or leave to remain in the UK.

Our skilled team at Aden & Co Solicitors can help with the correct assignment and management of CoS, providing support at a fixed fee.

Priority Service for Allocation of Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

For urgent needs, our team can expedite your application for an undefined CoS through Priority Service. A decision on your allocation request will be made within 5 working days of submitting the £200 payment to the Home Office UKVI for priority consideration.

Legal Support for UKVI Sponsor License Compliance Visits

At Aden & Co Solicitors, our specialist immigration solicitors offer expert legal guidance and support for all matters related to UKVI Sponsor License compliance visits. The Home Office UKVI may conduct a compliance visit to assess whether a new Sponsor License should be issued or if an existing License should be maintained. These compliance visits are conducted by UKVI officers and typically fall into two main categories:

1. Pre-License Assessment Visit
2. Post-License Compliance Visit

Challenging the Refusal or Revocation of Sponsor License

If the Home Office UKVI refuses or revokes your Sponsor License, our team can provide legal representation to challenge the decision. We conduct a thorough assessment of the refusal or revocation reasons and advise on potential legal grounds for contesting the decision.

You may challenge the refusal or revocation through Judicial Review (JR) or Pre-Action Protocol (PAP). Aden & Co Solicitors offers expert guidance and support throughout this process, working to reinstate your Sponsor License if the decision is found to be unlawful.

Challenging the Refusal of a Sponsor License Application

If your Sponsor License application is refused, you have the option to request a review of your application if you believe the refusal occurred due to:

• An error made by the caseworker handling your application
• Failure to consider your supporting documents

Should the Home Office UKVI maintain its refusal following the review, and you believe the decision is unjust or unlawful, you may proceed to challenge the refusal through a Pre-Action Protocol (PAP) or initiate an Immigration Judicial Review (JR) against the Home Office UKVI.

Challenging the Revocation of a Sponsor License

The Home Office UKVI typically suspends a Sponsor License and requests representations and supporting evidence from the Sponsor before deciding whether to revoke the License. At Aden & Co Solicitors, we can present compelling representations to the Home Office UKVI, explaining why your Sponsor License should not be revoked after its suspension. If the Home Office finds the representations satisfactory, your Sponsor License will be reinstated. However, if they are not satisfied, the License will be revoked.

Sponsor Licenses are often revoked due to non-compliance with the Sponsor’s duties. If your License is revoked and we believe the decision is unjustified or unlawful, Aden & Co Solicitors can assist in challenging the decision through the Pre-Action Protocol (PAP) and Judicial Review (JR). A successful legal challenge will result in the reinstatement of your Sponsor License, and your business details will once again appear in the official register of licensed Sponsors.

Fixed Fees for Sponsor License Services

At Aden & Co Solicitors, we offer a transparent and fixed fee structure for a range of services related to Sponsor Licenses. Our fixed fees are detailed below:

The exact fixed fee will depend on the complexity and scope of the case. Please note that in addition to our fixed fees, applicants may also need to cover any applicable Home Office UKVI fees for the application process.

FAQs – Sponsor License