Sponsorship Licence Application 2024 to sponsor Migrant Workers within UK and from abroad using Home Office Sponsor License- Sponsorship Management System SMS- Helping Businesses to Grow

• Introduction
• Video on Sponsor Licence
• Eligibility Requirements
• Our Success Stories
• Health Workers
• IT Professionals, Management and other professions
• Employer sponsor licence
• Cost of Sponsor Licence
• Types of licences
• Processing time for licence application
• Certificate of sponsorship (CoS)
• Immigration skilled charge
• Our services
• Book services
• Services after licence approval
• Sponsor Licence Application refused or rejected, Cos Application Refused
• Sponsor licence application eligibility for small businesses
• Help
  

Applying for Sponsor Licence in 2025 to Sponsor Migrant Skilled Workers in the UK and from abroad

Recruiting employees is a lengthy and cumbersome process. In particular, where recruited is from different countries. You might be busy doing interviews, screening, referencing and other business activities. In that case, you can trust for all visa and sponsor licensing applications, reporting and compliance requirements. We as an Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) Registered Immigration Consultancy Firm, have competence and experience do all work on immigration side. We will take care of everything for you from making application for sponsor licence, issuance of Certificate of Sponsorship called CoS and making visa application for newly recruited employees from inside and outside UK. We have 100% success rate in sponsor licence applications since 2006, see latest decisions for our clients. We have clients range from IT companies, warehouses, nursing homes to private medical groups. We have worked with a variety of industry sectors for sponsor licence applications. They include small businesses (even single member companies) to large emplyers such as medical practices, care homes regulated by Care Commission, The Care Inspectorate (CI), children special education schools and care, regulated by Ofsted, IT companies, Restaurants and many more small and large employers for their sponsor licence applications and post licence services. We are top rated visa advice business, establish in 2006. In 20 years of our business history, customer service has always been on the top of our corporate values. That is the reason, our clients have rated us 5 Star on Trustpilot, Google, Yell, Facebook and other feedback platforms. As our immigration practice licence is for whole of the UK, therefore we can serve you in any part of the United Kingdom including England, Wales, Scotland and rest of the world.

Embark on Your UK Immigration Journey with Confidence with ZR Visas where ‘ONLY YOU MATTER‘

Verify our Registration on the UK Government website. We are Regulated by ‘Immigration Advice Authority’ (UK Government). Our Registration Number is F201100207. The Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) formally known as Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).

Sponsor Licence Applications for Small Business, Medium Enterprise, and Large Business

At ZR Visas, we have a proven track record of working with businesses of all sizes across the UK. Whether you’re a small startup, a medium-sized enterprise, or a large corporation, we provide expert legal representation for sponsor licence applications. Our team ensures that your business meets all the necessary requirements and navigates the complexities of the application process smoothly.

We understand that each business has unique needs and challenges, and we tailor our services to fit those specific requirements. Our goal is to help you secure the sponsor licence you need to bring skilled workers into your team, supporting your growth and success.

Businesses often encounter several challenges when applying for a sponsor licence. Here are some of the most common ones:

1. Understanding Compliance Requirements: Ensuring that the business meets all the Home Office requirements can be complex. This includes maintaining accurate records, reporting duties, and ensuring that the business is genuinely trading and capable of sponsoring workers.
2. Navigating Changes in Immigration Rules: Immigration laws and regulations can change frequently. Staying up-to-date with these changes and understanding how they impact the business and its sponsored employees is crucial.
3. Document Preparation: Gathering and preparing the necessary documentation can be time-consuming and detailed. Missing or incorrect documents can lead to delays or refusals.
4. Meeting the Genuine Vacancy Test: Businesses must demonstrate that the role they are sponsoring is genuine and cannot be filled by a resident worker. This often involves detailed job descriptions and evidence of recruitment efforts.
5. Maintaining Ongoing Compliance: Once a sponsor licence is granted, businesses must continue to comply with all sponsor duties. This includes monitoring sponsored employees, keeping records up to date, and reporting any changes to the Home Office.
6. Handling Inspections and Audits: The Home Office may conduct inspections to ensure compliance. Being prepared for these inspections and having all records in order is essential.

At ZR Visas, we help businesses navigate these challenges by providing expert advice and support throughout the sponsor licence application process and beyond.

Our Clients for Sponsor Licence Applications for Sponsoring Migrant Workers

At ZR Visas, UK, we partner with a wide variety of employers to assist with sponsor licence applications, compliance audits, and applications for both defined and undefined Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS). We also handle annual allocations and develop action plans tailored to each business’s needs. Our clients span multiple sectors, including:

• IT Companies
• Residential and Domiciliary Care Homes (regulated by Care Commission, Care Inspectorate)
• GP and Dental Surgeries
• Post Offices
• Special Needs School (regulated by Ofsted)
• Retail Sector
• Restaurants
• Security Companies
• Amazon merchants

Feedback for a Sponsor Licence Application

Are small businesses eligible to apply for Sponsor Licence UK such as small IT companies, single member companies, self-employed businesses, partnership firms?

Recruiting employees is a lengthy and cumbersome process. In particular, where recruited is from different countries. You might be busy doing interviews, screening, referencing and other business activities. In that case, you can trust for all visa and sponsor licensing applications, reporting and compliance requirements. We as an OISC Registered Immigration Consultants have competence and experience do all work on immigration side. We will take care of everything for you from making application for sponsor licence, issuance of Certificate of Sponsorship called CoS and making visa application for newly recruited employees from inside and outside UK. We have 100% success rate in sponsor licence applications since 2006, see latest decisions for our clients. We have clients range from IT companies, warehouses, nursing homes to private medical groups. We have worked with a variety of industry sectors for sponsor licence applications. They include small businesses (even single member companies) to large emplyers such as medical practices, care homes regulated by Care Commission, The Care Inspectorate (CI), children special education schools and care, regulated by Ofsted, IT companies, Restaurants and many more small and large employers for their sponsor licence applications and post licence services. We are top rated visa advice business, establish in 2006. In 17 years of our business history, customer service has always been on the top of our corporate values. That is the reason, our clients have rated us 5 Star on Trustpilot, Google, Yell, Facebook and other feedback platforms. As our immigration practice licence is for whole of the UK, therefore we can serve you in any part of the United Kingdom including England, Wales, Scotland and rest of the world.

Video on Applying for Sponsor Licence, Application Requirements

Mr. Naveed covered following aspects of the UK Employer Sponsor Licence in this video:

1. Who needs an Employer Sponsor Licence?
2. Three Step Process for Sponsor Licence Applications
3. Labour Market Test for Sponsor Licence and Skilled Worker Visa
4. Categories covered under Sponsor Licence Applications
5. Types of Sponsor Licence for Employers
6. UK Sponsor Licence Application Cost and other Fees
7. Validity Period for Sponsor Licence
8. Licence Rating A and B for Employer Sponsor Licence
9. Processing time for Sponsor Licence Applications
10. Other Home Office Costs for Sponsor Licence- Cos & Immigration Skilled Charge ISC
11. Documents Required to make a successful Sponsor License Application
12. Our Services and Support for Sponsor Licence Applications

Eligibility Requirements to sponsor a migrant worker from outside of UK using a Defined Certificate of Sponsorship

• Employer is required to have an appropriate sponsor licence. The UK Home Office deals with license applications.
• The employee has certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from your employer showing job role and  job code
• Job must be on the list of eligible occupations
• Employee must be paid a minimum salary. The salary requirements varies and depend on the job role. The minimum salary for skilled worker visa is £38,700, may change over time.

Health and Care Skilled Worker Visa for Care Workers, Nurses and other Medical Professionals

Newly introduced Health and Care skilled worker visa is a fast visa route for medical professionals to come and work in UK. The doctors, nurses, dentists, consultants and midwives around the world are equally eligible to apply as long as they are registered with the professional medical bodies in the UK. We offer one-stop solution and advise you all aspects of licensing and visa requirements. Read more details about Health and Care visa.

Success Stories for Sponsor Licence Applications and Application for Defined and Undefined Certificates of Sponsorships

Professions including IT Consultants, Healthcare Professionals, Chefs, Management Experts

To sponsor an employee in a skilled worker job, the job mus fall into one or more the jobs specified in the recognised professions list or shortage occupation list. The professions which normally falls in the worker visa route are (but not limited to):

Financial managers, marketing managers, purchasing, human resource, storage and warehousing, information technology (IT), social care, doctors, nurses, chemical, biological scientists, engineers, Veterinarians, Actors, entertainers and presenters, Taxation experts, Importers and exporters, IT engineers. There are hundred’s of other professions. Contact us for full assessment.

Employer sponsor license applications

UK companies and businesses who wants to bring talent in UK should have been approved by the Home Office as an approved employer. Employers are issued a sponsor license. A sponsor licence is valid for four (4) years, project managers, graphics designers, Chartered and certified accountants, lawyers, solicitors, Quality control and planning engineers,  Artists,

Cost of sponsor licence applications

The fees for licence depends whether you are a small sponsor or falls into large sponsor category. A company with less than 50 employees and annual turnover up to £10.2 is classed as a small sponsor for employer sponsor licence application.

For a small employer to employ worker and temporary worker, fee is £574. For medium and large sponsors, fee for worker licence is £1476 and for temporary worker fee is £574. If you would like to apply in worker and temporary worker category at the same time, the higher fee will be applied.

Types of UK Sponsor Licence to become an approved employer to sponsor migrant workers

There are two types of sponsor licence Worker License and Temporary Worker License. The type of licence you need will depend on the type of job you want to offer to your employees such as long term or short term. Skilled worker visa, minister of religion visas, intra-company transfer visas and sportsperson visas falls in worker licence. Seasonal worker, government authorised exchange worker for work experience, charity worker, religious worker, creative or sporting worker and international agreement worker comes in the definition of temporary worker license.

Processing time for sponsor license application

Most UK sponsor licence applications receive a decision within eight weeks. For an additional fee of £500, applicants can utilize the priority service to fast-track their application, ensuring a decision is made within 10 working days.

Businesses whose applications are approved are awarded an “A” rating. However, failure to meet sponsor duties, such as neglecting to report an employee’s absence, can result in the rating being downgraded to “B.” To regain an “A” rating, businesses must implement an action plan based on the recommendations provided by the Home Office.

In our experience, well-prepared and professionally represented applications are more likely to succeed and yield quicker decisions. Conversely, poorly prepared applications may prompt the Home Office to request additional information and conduct due diligence visits to business premises to verify compliance with sponsor licence requirements.

Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) Home Office Fees – Defined CoS and Undefiend CoS

Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) are electronic records maintained within the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) and are issued to employees. Simply put, they serve as an electronic authorization, confirming that an employee is being sponsored by an approved sponsor in the UK.

There are two types of CoS:

1. Defined CoS: These are issued for employees recruited from outside the UK. Approval from the Home Office is required for Defined CoS, a process that typically takes one working day.
2. Undefined CoS: These are assigned to individuals employed within the UK or other categories not covered by Defined CoS.

Employers are responsible for covering the associated fees for CoS issuance.

Worker CoS Fee £525
Temporary Worker CoS Fee £55

Immigration Skilled Charge for Skilled Workers and Intra-company transfer visas

Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) issued under Skilled Worker and Intra-Company Transfer visas are subject to an additional fee known as the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC). This charge applies if an employer is hiring someone from outside the UK for a period exceeding six months or from within the UK for any job duration. Certain roles, however, are exempt from this charge.

The ISC rates are as follows:

• For the first 12 months:
  • £364 for small sponsors.
  • £1,000 for medium and large sponsors.
• For each additional 6-month period:
  • £182 for small sponsors.
  • £500 for medium and large sponsors.

For instance, a small sponsor employing someone for two years would incur an ISC of £728 (£364 x 2).

Our Services: One Stop Solution from Licensing Application to Visas Applications and Citizenship

• We offer wide range of services:
  • Full Employer Licence Application to become Home Office Approved Sponsor
  • Check eligibility of your business for sponsor license to become an approved employer
  • Sponsor Licence Renewal Application
  • Home Office Action Plan Advice
  • CoS Issuance
  • CoS Annual Allocation Applications to UKVI
  • Defined Certificate of Sponsorship Applications
  • Undefined Ceritificate of Sponsor CoS Application
  • UKVI Pre Licence and Post Licence Premium Services (Premium services are provided by UKVI, subject to availability)
  • Sponsorship Action Plan Compliance for B Rated Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence (formerly Tier 2 Sponsors)
  • Retention Services for sponsorship management system (SMS)
  • Visa Application of Employees
  • Visa Extension of Employees
  • Indefinite Leave to Remain (Permanent Residence)  of Employees
  • Detailed Feasibility Reports for any of above matters
  • Naturalisation applications for workers

Book Our Services Online– Pre Licence Services to become a Licenced Approved Employer

To become a UK Approved Licenced Sponsor to sponsor migrant workers from in the UK or from abraod, you need a sponsor licence. We can fully prepare your application. If you are not sure about your suitability, you can book an assessment service. Our fees are fixed and all inclusive.

Sponsor Licence is the first step to become a licenced sponsor. After approval of sponsor licence application, please see post licence services.

Post Licence Services- After a Successful Sponsor Licence Application

As you now have a valid employer sponsor licence, you can start getting ready to sponsor migrant workers in your organisation. As mentione above, getting a sponsor licence approval is the first step, not the last. Before you can sponsor a worker, you need allocation (UK Home Office permission).

To sponsor migrant workers in the UK- In most of the sponsor licence applications, allocation (permission to sponsor skilled worker in UK who are already in UK on different visa such as students) is not granted. In some applications, allocation is also granted. Please check sponsor licence decision letter for your current allocation. Theforefore, an application need to be made to the Home Office for allocation. The allocation is valid for 12 months. Renewal of allocation may also be required and in some cases, absolute necessary if you wish to keep sponsoring migrant workers.

To sponsor migrant worker who are abroad- There is no allocation as part of sponsor licence. This is rule, no exceptions. Therefore, you will have to make an application to Home Office to get permission on ‘as and when required’ basis for number of migrant workers you wish to sponsor. Permission normally valid for 3 months. If not used witin 3 months, a new application will be required. Our fees does not include UK Home Office Official fees.

How we can help- We can provide full advice and support for all follow on services. We can only do that if we are your registered legal representative. You will need to add us as your legal representative in SMS (Sponsor online system for licenced sponsors) for all the services below. Once we are added as your legal representative, we can provide advice on the services below. After you book any of the following services, we will provide full guidance & support on adding us ‘Legal Representative’ in SMS without any additional cost to you. Depending on the circumstances, you may need following services. First 3 services are very commonly used services by most of our clients.

Sponsor Licence Application refused or reject- Defiend CoS Application Refused- Get Professional advice from top rated UK Registered Immigration Firm

If your application for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or an application for Sponsor Licence has been refused by UKVI, it can be a stressful, disruption to your business and a frustrating experience. In this case, getting immigration advice and support from an immigration may be helpful. 

An application for a sponsor licence can be refused for numerous reasons such as providing incorrect or insufficient information as part of the sponsor licence application can lead to the refusal. Also, false documents can also be a reason for refusal of the sponsor licence application. In some instances,  businesses who previously held a sponsor licence were revoked for a potential breach of the immigration rules. Failure to provide the mandatory required information and documents  as part of the sponsor licence application can also be a reason for refusal of sponsor licence application. In some cases, the Home Office can request further information and documents to make a decision on the sponsor licence application. Normally, limited time, mostly 10 days, is allowed to submit the required evidence. The delay in providing the documents and information or if they are not provided to the satisfaction of the Home Office, the sponsor licence application is likely to be refused. 

Our firm provides assistance with the sponsor licence applications including refused applications for sponsor licence and rejected applications for certificate of sponsorship (CoS). Your allocated caseworker will look at the reasons for the refusal and rejection and will advise on preparing a fresh application. Our team of experts can help to mitigate the reasons for refusal for your new application for sponsor licence or an application for a defined certificate of sponsorship or undefined CoS . 

Normally there is no right to appeal if your sponsor licence application has been refused. In limited circumstances, a request for review of the application can be filed. On receiving your instructions, your allocated caseworker will look at the best possible to proceed with your immigration. As usual, we always work in your best interest. Contact us today to take the first step.