Question 1

Does our organisation need a sponsor licence?

Accepted Answer

An organisation will normally need an appropriate sponsor licence if it wants to employ someone whose immigration status requires sponsorship. The position depends on the worker's existing immigration permission, the work they will undertake and the route being considered. It is worth checking this before making commitments to a candidate.

Question 2

What does the Home Office consider when deciding an application?

Accepted Answer

The Home Office considers whether the organisation is eligible, genuine and capable of meeting its sponsor duties. It may look at the organisation's trading position, proposed roles, recruitment arrangements, HR systems, key personnel and any history of immigration non-compliance.

Question 3

Which sponsor licence routes should we apply for?

Accepted Answer

The appropriate routes depend on the workers and assignments the organisation expects to sponsor. An application should identify the routes genuinely needed. Applying for unnecessary routes can create questions, while omitting a route may require a later application to expand the licence.

Question 4

What documents are required?

Accepted Answer

The evidence depends on the type of organisation, the sponsorship routes requested and the relevant sponsor guidance. Many organisations must provide a specified number of documents from Appendix A, but exceptions and route-specific requirements apply. The evidence should be selected for the organisation rather than copied from a generic checklist.

Question 5

Who should be appointed as key personnel?

Accepted Answer

A sponsor must appoint people to the required licence roles, including an Authorising Officer and relevant Sponsor Management System users. The individuals selected should meet the suitability requirements, understand their responsibilities and have enough authority and access to oversee sponsorship properly.

Question 6

How should we prepare before applying?

Accepted Answer

Preparation should include reviewing the organisation's recruitment, Right to Work, record-keeping, absence-monitoring and reporting processes. The proposed sponsored roles, key personnel and supporting evidence should also be checked. It is usually better to identify gaps before the application is submitted.

Question 7

Can the Home Office carry out a compliance check?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Home Office can conduct checks before or after a licence is granted. A check may take place on site, remotely or through requests for information. The organisation should be ready to explain how it will meet its sponsor duties and produce the supporting records.

Question 8

How long does a sponsor licence application take?

Accepted Answer

Processing times and any priority arrangements can change. The organisation should allow time for preparation as well as the Home Office decision. UKU can explain the published processing position when the application is ready to be submitted.

Sponsor licence services

What we advise on

Applying and maintaining

When the licence is at risk

Issues UKU can help identify

The licence is the start, not the finish

Deadlines are short

Common questions

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