How to apply for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence
Updated 24 November 2025
A record number of organisations now have sponsor licences to allow them to apply to sponsor workers to work in the UK, especially Skilled Worker licences. Yet, according to government statistics, a record number of sponsor licences have also been refused and revoked. This highlights why expert advice is vital and we have an enviable success rate. Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law specialises in all aspects of commercial immigration including helping firms navigate sponsor licences and the UK’s points-based immigration system with minimum fuss.
Below you can find answers to many of your questions on the UK’s most used work immigration route – the Skilled Worker visa and what firms need in place to be able to sponsor the talent they need. If you think you could benefit from a sponsor licence, would like to discuss which type or have any other questions about work visas, sponsorship and compliance, please feel free to contact us on 0207 033 9527 or at enquiries@vanessaganguin.com for a free initial consultation.
Our friendly experts are highly regarded in major legal guides such as Best Lawyers for helping firms through all stages of sponsoring the staff they need as efficiently as possible.
The firm is ranked highly in The Legal 500 which says: “Boutique immigration firm Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law fields a strong team of ‘incredibly knowledgeable’ lawyers, well-equipped to handle work ranging from sponsor licence applications and processing issues to global talent visa procurement and support on takeovers, mergers, and downsizings. Founder and managing partner Vanessa Ganguin advises on all aspects of corporate and personal immigration, with particular strength in advising clients in the finance, fintech, engineering, media and entertainment, and sport sectors. Senior Counsel Philip Trott brings a wealth of experience acting for clients including entrepreneurs, start-ups, and charities.”
The Times Best Law Firms says: “Clients include global corporations looking for a British footprint, sponsorship advice or insights about transferring staff to the UK. The firm has established contacts among Home Office policymakers.”
Why apply for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence
To fill vacancies in a range of specified skilled categories with non-British or Irish workers, employers can apply for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence awarded by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI).
A Skilled Worker sponsor licence allows a company to issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) for eligible prospective employees to apply for Skilled Worker visas to fill roles. Employees sponsored as Skilled Workers may then be able to apply to stay permanently in the UK after a qualifying period working in the UK on this visa if further requirements are met. Their dependant family members can join them too.
Who can be sponsored on a Skilled Worker visa?
Overseas nationals who are not settled workers or do not have permission to work in the UK in another capacity may be sponsored on the Skilled Worker route if they meet requirements. Irish citizens, people who have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme and those with indefinite or some types of limited leave to enter or remain in the UK are already able to work in the UK and do not require sponsorship.
Applications for Skilled Worker visas can be made from abroad or from within the UK (depending on the permission someone has to be in the UK.)
What job roles are eligible to be filled with Skilled Workers?
Only vacancies for job roles on this table of eligible jobs can be filled by applicants on a Skilled Worker visa.
On 22 July 2025, the minimum skills threshold for occupations that can be sponsored from abroad in this route was raised from Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 3 (the equivalent of A-level or school-leaver) to RQF6 (degree level in skill rather than educational attainment). This excluded over 100 occupations from being hired from abroad on a Skilled Worker visa.
Employers may only hire immigrants already in the UK as Skilled Workers in such roles. They are able to renew their visas and continue to stay in the UK under transitionary measures which will be reviewed and removed in due course, but hopefully once this cohort already in the UK have been here long enough to settle.
60 critical shortage occupations below the required skill level of RQF6 have a temporary reprieve and may be sponsored from abroad as they are on an expanded ‘Immigration Salary List’ or a new ‘Temporary Shortage List’. The Immigration Salary List will be phased out in future changes to Immigration Rules. You can find more about the lists here.
Sponsored Skilled Workers must be paid a salary which is on or above whichever is higher of the minimum salary threshold for the visa or the going rate of pay for the occupation code according to UKVI.
Where the role is on the Immigration Salary List, on a national pay scale, or where the applicant has a relevant PhD or is considered a “new entrant” to the labour market, employers benefit from lower salary expectations.
What are the minimum salary thresholds for a sponsored Skilled Worker?
Skilled Workers must be sponsored on a gross wage which is above the highest of the ‘minimum salary threshold’ for this visa category, the going rate of pay for that particular occupation as defined by the UK government, as well as complying with National Minimum Wage rules – with exceptions for the discounts below. From 22 July 2025, the minimum salary threshold rose to £41,700, a rise the UK government says is uprating to keep pace with inflation. The hourly rate also rose to £17.13.
For those with a non-STEM PhD and a 10% discount, the minimum salary threshold is now £37,500. For New Entrants and sponsored Skilled Workers with STEM PhDs, or those on the Immigration Salary List who qualify for a 20% discount, the minimum salary is £33,400. People already on the Skilled Worker route before April 2024’s changes and a few ‘Health and Care ASHE salary job’ occupation codes not on a national pay scale have a minimum salary threshold of £31,300. And those in these categories with a 10 per cent PhD discount have a minimum of £28,200.
July also saw minor changes to the going rates for occupations that must be met as a minimum salary when sponsoring workers.
The Migration Advisory Committee is conducting a review of salaries and discounts this year, after which we can expect more changes. Since April 2024, the minimum salary threshold has been based on the median of all occupations eligible for sponsorship as a Skilled Worker. Whether this formula will continue to be used remains to be seen.
What are the requirements to be sponsored as a Skilled Worker?
To be sponsored as a Skilled Worker and obtain a Skilled Worker visa, an individual must meet a series of requirements. This includes:
- Being aged at least 18 on the date of application
- What is termed the “points requirement” of the Skilled Worker visa: having a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from their employer for a role at the appropriate skill level and salary, with the applicant having English language skills at level B1 or higher in speaking, listening, reading, writing. (NB: the English language proficiency requirement for Skilled Workers and the majority of immigration routes is set to be raised from B1 (‘intermediate user’) to B2 (‘independent user’) level under the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages.)
- A genuineness requirement (meaning they would be filling a genuine role in the organisation)
- A financial requirement (they have enough funds to support themselves and any family members in the UK)
- If they are studying in the UK on a sponsored study visa, their planned work start date should be after they have completed their course of studies (or at least 24 months into a course of full-time study leading to a PhD)
- A criminal record certificate requirement for certain jobs
- If in the UK, they should be on a visa which permits switching to this route.
- If applying from certain countries, they should be free from infectious TB.
This is not the full list of requirements, more details can be found here.
Who is eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence?
To be eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence, you must be a genuine employer with a lawful trading presence in the UK and would have to submit specific evidence of this. You also need to be able to offer skilled work at the appropriate skill level and rates of pay for genuine vacancies that are not carrying out an ongoing or routine role for a third party.
What are the requirements for obtaining a Skilled Worker sponsor licence?
Obtaining a Skilled Worker sponsor licence requires the sponsor to have people within the UK business to manage the sponsorship process when applying for the licence. The roles needed are what is called an “authorising officer”, “key contact” and “level 1 user”.
- The authorising officer should be a “senior and competent person responsible for the actions of staff and representatives” who use UKVI’s sponsorship management system (‘SMS’).
- The key contact would be the main point of contact with UK Visas and Immigration.
- The level 1 user would be responsible for general management of the licence using the SMS.
These roles can be filled by the same or different people. However, you and your staff would be subject to suitability checks to ensure that you are suitable for these roles. Nominated staff must usually be paid members of staff or office holders, such as directors or partners, and based in the UK.
Becoming a sponsor licence holder means taking on a significant number of compliance responsibilities on behalf of UKVI, including record keeping, monitoring and reporting duties. If UKVI does not believe that you are able to meet these responsibilities, they will not approve a sponsor licence application. UKVI may conduct a compliance review before deciding the licence application or at any time during the lifetime of the licence, potentially taking punitive action including suspension, downgrading or revocation if they believe you are not meeting your compliance duties.
How to submit a Skilled Worker sponsor licence application
In order to show that you are a genuine, UK-based company, you are required to provide specific documents as evidence. It is a good idea to prepare all necessary documents before applying the for licence, as some documents may take a long time to find. The application also requires the nominees for the roles mentioned above (authorising officer, key contact and level 1 user) to be filled.
It is also a good idea to ensure that you are fully prepared for the full range of compliance duties that being a sponsor entails, as UKVI may conduct an inspection before deciding the application and does not always give advance notice.
Once the documents are prepared and you are ready for your compliance responsibilities, it is possible to fill in the online application.
Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law offers a tailor-made service to help organisations of all sizes and sectors to ensure that they have everything in place to be granted a sponsor licence. We can also advice on compliance, carry out audits and assist if you are facing compliance visits or other sanctions from UKVI.
Please contact us as soon as possible if you need assistance with any of this.
What are the Home Office fees for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence application?
The Home Office fees for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence application for small or charitable sponsors cost £574 and £1,579 for medium or large sponsors. You are usually a small sponsor if at least two apply from:
- your annual turnover is £15 million or less
- your total assets are worth £7.5 million or less
- you have 50 employees or fewer
Charities must be registered or on the lists of excepted or exempted charities, or an ecclesiastical corporation established for charitable purposes.
You may automatically count as a medium or large sponsor regardless of actual size if you, or part of your corporate group, meets certain requirements or operate in a certain business sector.
How long does it take to obtain a UK Skilled Worker sponsor licence?
Most applications have a decision made in less than eight weeks. Paid priority services are available to reduce this to 10 working days. There may be delays if UKVI decides to conduct an inspection (in person or remotely) to review your HR compliance and record-keeping/reporting processes, though this is unlikely in most sectors.
We are renowned for our swift turnaround on sponsor licence applications and have a great track record with urgent applications.
You should allow plenty of time to first prepare all evidence and documentation necessary for a successful application as well as time to fill it out. We are always on hand throughout the process to advise, help fill out the application and check everything so that it has the best chance of success.
Can I fast track a Skilled Worker sponsor licence application?
It is possible to pay an extra £750 to obtain a decision within 10 working days, but this service is subject to a small daily limit and is oversubscribed. While we have a great record of obtaining fast track applications for clients, it may take more than one attempt and we cannot guarantee availability.
Can I reapply if my Sponsor Licence application is rejected?
It is possible to request a review of an application where you believe a mistake has been made refusing a sponsor licence, or if supporting documents were not considered.
If your sponsor licence application is rejected because your supporting documents did not meet UKVI requirements, you should be able to re-apply with the required evidence.
However, if your application is refused (for example, because UKVI did not believe you could meet your compliance obligations) you must wait six months before reapplying. You will not be able to appeal the decision of the application simply because you disagree with the decision.
What are the responsibilities of a Skilled Worker sponsor licence holder?
The Home Office places great stress on the responsibility of Skilled Worker sponsor licence holders. In addition to general record keeping, monitoring and reporting duties around sponsored employees, sponsors must “play their part in ensuring the immigration system is not abused”, “comply with wider UK law” and “not behave in a manner that is not conducive to the public good”.
What are the consequences of non-compliance with UK Skilled Worker sponsor licence responsibilities?
UKVI will refuse a licence application if they are not satisfied you can fulfil your obligations. If you already have a licence, consequences of non-compliance can range anywhere from temporary suspension to the downgrading of an organisation’s Skilled Worker sponsor licence, or even revoking the licence entirely (along with any currently sponsored visas), leading to a 12-month cooling period which prevents reapplications.
Any firms found to have been employing workers who did not have the right to work in the UK could be liable for civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker. Employers found to be illegally employing people also face potential revocation of their sponsor licence and not being able to re-apply for up to five years if issued with more than one civil penalty.
Knowingly employing an illegal worker (or having reasonable cause to believe they did not have the right to work) may result in criminal prosecution and up to five years of prison and / or an unlimited fine.
How long does a Skilled Worker sponsor licence last?
Until recently, most sponsors had to renew every four years. Now most licences no longer have expiry dates. In general, a sponsor licence will remain valid if you meet requirements.
You can sponsor Skilled Workers for up to five years at a time and during this time the visa holder will only be permitted to work for you (or in limited supplementary work), unless they make an application to change employers or visas. They may be able to apply to settle permanently after five years in the UK on this visa category, though in April 2026 the UK is enacting a points-based system which will increase the route to settlement for some Skilled Workers to ten years. Many on higher salaries and public servants will qualify for less than ten years. Others, for example, those who have broken immigration rules, may take longer. You can read more about the proposed changes here.
Sponsoring Health and Care Workers
Organisations with a Skilled Worker sponsor licence are also eligible to sponsor Health and Care workers who fall under certain occupation codes. The Health and Care work visa is a subcategory of the Skilled Worker visa, enabling qualified doctors, nurses, carers and other professionals to work in eligible health and social care occupations. Workers and their dependants in the UK under this category are not subject to the Immigration Health Surcharge and pay reduced application fees.
What are the other types of UK sponsor licences?
There are other types of sponsor licence that may be more suitable for you depending on the nature of the employment role and person employed. Our clients often register more than one type of sponsor licence allowing them to access the full array of talent they need to staff their business.
To discuss which sponsor licences may be suitable for your business and needs, please contact us on 0207 033 9527 or enquiries@vanessaganguin.com.
The Home Office divides sponsor licences into Temporary Worker sponsor licences and Worker sponsor licences for more long-term roles for employees who will in some cases be able to later make settlement applications or switching into routes to settlement, all of which we can advise on too.
Worker sponsor licences
International Sportsperson
This is an immigration route for elite sportspersons or qualified coaches recognised by their sport’s governing body. After five years sponsored on this visa they can settle in the UK along with their dependants.
Minister of Religion
A Minister of Religion sponsor licence allows places of worship and faith groups to sponsor those satisfying the eligibility requirements on this five-year route to settlement in the UK.
Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
This sponsor licence allows multinational companies to transfer established employees an annual salary of at least £45,800 to work temporarily in the UK. Visas can be extended up to five years in any six-year period for those paid less than £73,900 a year and up to nine years in any ten-year period for those paid £73,900 a year or more. This is not a route to settlement. To be eligible for settlement, Senior or Specialist Workers would need to switch to a different visa such as the Skilled Worker that allows applications for indefinite leave to remain for those eligible.
Temporary Worker sponsor licences
Scale Up Worker
The Scale Up sponsor licence was introduced in August 2022 as a fast-track sponsor licence for UK firms that qualify as Scale Ups to access the international talent they need to keep growing. Though the Home Office classes this as a Temporary Worker sponsor licence, Scale Up workers that meet the criteria can apply for settlement after five years.
Creative Worker
You can sponsor entertainers, performers, creative artists, fashion models to work and perform in the UK for up to 12 months. They may be able to bring their crew or entourage. In addition to the standard sponsor licence application, you should demonstrate that you are operating or intend to operate in the creative sector, eg: an arts body, producer or event organiser.
Creative Workers who continue to work for the same sponsor after the initial 12-month period have the option to extend their visa until granted a maximum of 24 months in total.
Charity Worker
This allows recognised charitable institutions to sponsor unpaid voluntary workers over 18 for up to a year.
Religious Worker
Faith organisations sponsoring staff other than the Minister of Religion they can sponsor on the more long-term sponsor licence (above), can apply for this Temporary Worker licence to sponsor staff for up to two years.
Seasonal Worker
This allows sponsors to bring seasonal staff to work in horticulture for up to six months or poultry production from 18 October to 31 December each year. In 2023 the quota for workers in these sectors has been 45,000 and 2,000 respectively but quotas are subject to change by the Home Office.
Graduate Trainee (Global Business Mobility)
This allows international employers to transfer staff on a minimum salary of up to £24,220 to their UK branch on a graduate training programme. Graduate Trainees cannot extend this visa past the maximum period of 12 months, but they can apply for another Graduate Trainee visa from outside the UK.
Secondment Worker (Global Business Mobility)
UK companies with an eligible “high value” investment or contract with an overseas firm worth at least £10 million per year and at least £50 million overall can use this licence to have workers come to the UK to temporarily undertake assignments connected to the contract.
Service Supplier (Global Business Mobility)
This allows UK businesses with contracts with overseas bodies which are covered by one of the UK’s international trade agreements to sponsor the overseas contractor’s workers to provide services for up to six or 12 months depending on the type of trade agreement they are providing services under.
UK Expansion Worker (Global Business Mobility)
Established overseas firms not yet trading in the UK can use a UK Expansion Worker sponsor licence to send staff to establish a British branch or wholly-owned subsidiary. Visas can only be granted for one year at a time, for a maximum of two years in total, after which sponsors will be expected to have established a UK presence and be able to use another sponsor licence, such as the Skilled Worker licence to sponsor staff.
Government Authorised Exchange
Licensed sponsors can sponsor people to commented to the UK under a government-approved exchange scheme for work experience (one year) or for research projects or training, for example practical medical or scientific training (two years). The licence is generally held by government-approved scheme operators, to which employers/individuals can apply directly for sponsorship.
International Agreement
This is for sponsoring those contracted to do work covered by international law or treaty in the UK. This includes temporarily working for overseas governments, a recognised international organisation, or as a private servant in a diplomatic household.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss how we can help you sponsor the staff you need to grow your business please contact our friendly UK immigration experts on 0207 033 9527 or enquiries@vanessaganguin.com.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to apply for a sponsor licence?
We are renowned for our swift turnaround on sponsor licence applications and have a great track record with urgent applications. The Home Office aims to process most applications within eight weeks from the date you submit documents. Paid priority services are available to reduce this to 10 working days. Decisions may be delayed if the Home Office wants a pre-licence audit, though this is unlikely in most sectors. Allow time to prepare supporting documents and information.
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and how long does an application take?
Sponsors must assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to each Skilled Worker they employ. This is an electronic record, not a physical document. Each certificate has its own number which a worker can then use to apply for a visa. They must use the CoS to apply for their visa within three months and they must not apply for their visa more than three months before the start date of the job listed on the certificate.
When can you apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and how long does it take?
Employers can request an allocation of ‘undefined’ CoS when applying for a sponsor licence based on how many you anticipate needing so that the certificates are ready when your licence is approved. These may be used to sponsor migrant workers already in the UK.
For new hires from overseas, you must apply to the Home Office for ‘defined’ CoS – specific to the role you want to fill. These ‘DCoS’ applications are decided on a case-by-case basis.
Decisions are usually within one or two days unless the Home Office has further questions about the role.
How long does a UK work visa take to process?
For workers applying from overseas, standard processing is three weeks from submission. (For applicants required to enrol biometrics at a visa application centre this starts from the date of their appointment.) For workers applying to extend visas or switch employers, standard processing is eight weeks. Paid priority services are available which can expedite the process down to one to five working days.
Which work visas require a sponsor licence?
In most cases, to employ non-settled workers, employers would require a sponsor licence. We advise on the requirements, suitability and procedure for a licence to sponsor the following categories of sponsored workers:
Which sponsored visas allow settlement in the UK?
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is a UK immigration status that allows you to live, work, and study in the UK without the time restrictions of a temporary visa. ILR is commonly called “settlement” and after a year, those that meet requirements, such as continuous and lawful residence, can apply for British citizenship.
These sponsored routes we advise on count towards eventual settlement and we assist employers, workers and their families throughout the journey:
The government is currently holding a consultation on a new Temporary Shortage List and it awaits to be seen if these visas for shortage vocations will allow settlement.
There is also a consultation on the settlement rules which may change the length of time on these routes before workers can apply for ILR.
Which immigrant workers can work for you without being sponsored?
Some immigrant workers may not require sponsorship. We establish if they can use other routes, such as:
NB: if you are not sure whether a worker can use their current visa to work for you, we recommend taking professional advice before employment commences, as the consequences of illegal working are severe.
How do I conduct right to work checks in 2026?
Right to work checks involve verifying a worker’s legal eligibility to work in the UK. The process includes reviewing the correct documentation in person and if need be, using a worker’s digital share code to check on the Home Office online checking service. To protect yourself fully, as well as carrying out checks correctly, you must keep records of relevant documents and carry follow-up checks when someone has a time-limited right to work.
To avoid discrimination issues, you should apply checks consistently across all workers regardless of nationality or ethnicity, adhering to government codes of practice. Be sure to regularly review Home Office updates to ensure compliance with the constantly evolving rules. Always be sure to obtain advice if you are not sure about sponsor or right to work compliance, what to report or whether someone should be working for you.
We conduct audits of right to work and sponsorship compliance and can advise on these on an ad hoc basis. The penalties for getting these wrong are severe so it’s important to keep up to date with the latest changes.
The UK government has announced a consultation on extending right to work checks to workers not engaged in an employer-employee arrangement. The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill which is set to extend right to work checks to organisations hiring gig economy, temporary or zero-hours workers in sectors such as construction, food delivery, beauty salons, courier services and warehousing is now in report stage in the House of Lords.
The UK government has also announced that right to work checks will at some point become mandatory and use digital ID when that is rolled out.
How long does a sponsor licence last?
Until recently, most sponsors had to renew every four years. Now most licences, including the Skilled Worker sponsor licence no longer have expiry dates. In general, a sponsor licence will remain valid if you meet requirements. Scale-up and UK Expansion Worker licences are only valid for four years because these are time-limited and cannot be renewed. The UK Expansion Worker licence can only be used for two years. We advise on when it is prudent to apply for more than one sponsor licence and when to add other licences to your existing one.
How do you lose your sponsor licence?
The Home Office may revoke, suspend or downgrade your licence if you fail to comply with sponsor duties. Broadly, these involve reporting, record keeping, compliance with the law, behaviour conducive to the public good. The Home Office is becoming increasingly stringent with fresh applications and enforcement. Sanctions may result due to a failed inspection or if your application did not meet requirements. We pride ourselves on providing clear training and materials so clients find it easy to follow the rules.
What can you do if a sponsor licence is refused?
Sponsorship should be a straightforward process. Yet recent UK government data reveals only 56% of sponsor licence applications granted in the year ending June 2025. This is a disturbing statistic for us, as we have an impeccable record of helping clients sponsor the staff they need with minimum fuss. It underlies the importance of reliable advice from the start when applying for a sponsorship licence.
We generally only come across refusals when employers come to us having wasted time and money on poor advice or none at all. Common reasons for refusal are easily avoided and are often due to misunderstanding the evidence required. In such cases all is not lost. We review the grounds of refusal, advise on fixing errors previously made and meet the criteria for a successful application.
Why work with Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law?
We pride ourselves on our impeccable client care, swift results and a tailored, boutique immigration advice where our lawyers get to know your business needs. With a partner-led service you will be in the safe hands of senior immigration practitioners with decades of successful advice and a wealth of established contacts within the Home Office. Led by founder Vanessa Ganguin, our team of specialists are highly responsive and take a focussed approach to each case, prioritising clear communication and practical guidance for you and your teams.
If the immigration system offers any alternatives more expedient than sponsorship we have the knowledge to find them. And when it comes to negotiating the sponsorship system, we have the nous to help you speedily sponsor the talent you need to flourish.
Can you help if a sponsor licence is revoked?
If you are facing revocation or downgrading of your sponsor licence, we would encourage you to instruct us as soon as possible so we can assist with critical next steps.
We will review the grounds of the decision and advise on your response. This may mean contacting the Home Office to raise any factual errors, advice on whether to apply afresh, required supporting evidence, addressing breaches, remedial steps to address them as well as legal challenges where appropriate. We will also support you for any follow-up Home Office scrutiny, such as a site visit. We have a lot of experience in helping employers who come to us in such trying situations.