Sponsor Licence Application Checklist for UK Employers | Civil Help

To hire workers from outside the UK on the Skilled Worker route, your business must hold a valid sponsor licence. Use this checklist to prepare your application.

Eligibility and preparation

0 of 4 complete

Confirm your business is a genuine UK trading organisation registered with Companies House or HMRC
Check that the roles you want to sponsor are at RQF 3 (A-level equivalent) or above
Confirm you can offer the minimum salary for those roles
Ensure you have no unspent criminal convictions related to immigration or dishonesty offences

Documents to gather

0 of 5 complete

Latest business bank statements (minimum 3 months)
Evidence of UK trading: HMRC registration, VAT certificate, or PAYE reference
Proof of business premises (lease, utility bill, or title deeds)
Latest filed accounts or financial statements
Evidence that your HR systems can manage sponsorship duties (policies, monitoring processes)

During and after application

0 of 4 complete

Designate an Authorising Officer (senior person responsible for sponsorship compliance)
Submit the application online via the Sponsorship Management System (SMS)
Pay the licence fee (from £536 for small/charitable sponsors; £1,476 for medium/large)
Be prepared for a compliance visit from UKVI before or after the licence is granted

Helpful organisations

Home Office

Government

The lead government department for immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime, fire, counter-terrorism, and police.

Visit website

UK Visas and Immigration

Government

Responsible for making millions of decisions every year about who has the right to visit or stay in the UK.

Visit website

Related guides

Sponsor Licence for Employers

UK employers who want to hire workers from outside the UK (and outside the existing settled workforce) generally need a sponsor licence issued by the Home Office. Without a licence, you cannot issue Certificates of Sponsorship to prospective employees, meaning overseas workers cannot apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work for you. This guide explains the process and ongoing obligations.

8 min

Skilled Worker Visa Overview

The Skilled Worker visa is the main route for people from outside the UK to work in the country. It replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa in December 2020 as part of the post-Brexit points-based immigration system. To be eligible, you generally need a job offer from a UK employer with a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence, and your role and salary must meet the required thresholds.

9 min

Right to Work Checks

As a UK employer, you have a legal obligation to check that every person you employ has the right to work in the UK before they start. Failing to carry out checks correctly can result in a civil penalty of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.

5 min

Immigration Evidence Checklist

Gathering the right evidence is one of the most important — and time-consuming — parts of any UK immigration application. Missing, inadequate, or poorly presented evidence is one of the most common reasons for delays and refusals. This guide summarises the types of evidence typically required across the main visa categories.

6 min

Disclaimer

This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always check official sources and seek qualified help where needed.