Sponsor Licences — Your Gateway to Hiring Overseas Talent

Without a sponsor licence, your business cannot lawfully employ workers from overseas on sponsored routes. We help you obtain one properly — and keep it.

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"Refused applications are expensive. Readiness checks are cheap."

Sponsor Licences

What a Sponsor Licence Is — and Why It Matters

A sponsor licence is the Home Office's authorisation allowing your business to employ people from outside the UK on sponsored routes such as Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility and others.

The application itself looks deceptively simple. The real test is whether your business can demonstrate it is genuine, trading and capable of carrying the ongoing duties of sponsorship — and that is where most refusals are born.

ImmigrationPass helps you assess readiness honestly before any money is spent, then prepares the application with your key personnel properly briefed.

Discuss Your Situation

Eligibility & Requirements

What the Home Office Looks For

Sponsor licence eligibility rests on four pillars. We help you evidence each one properly.

A genuine, operating business
Suitable HR systems & records
Honest, reliable key personnel
No relevant unspent convictions or civil penalties

Check Your Eligibility

Honesty beats optimism

The Home Office can refuse — or downgrade — a licence where key personnel have a history of non-compliance, even at other companies. Declaring issues early, with context, is far better than hoping they go unnoticed.

If your business is newly formed, a licence is still possible — but the evidential bar is higher. We'll tell you honestly whether now is the right time to apply.

How It Works

The Process, Step by Step

Readiness Assessment

We review your business structure, trading history, HR systems and key personnel before any application is made.

Prepare Documents & Systems

We guide you through the supporting evidence and help you set up the record-keeping the Home Office expects.

Submit the Application

Your online application is prepared carefully, with key personnel assigned correctly and fees paid properly.

Post-Approval Duties

We brief your team on reporting duties, record-keeping and the SMS — so your A-rating survives.

Our Fees

Sponsor Licence Fees

Licence work is quoted individually, reflecting the size of your organisation and the condition of your systems.

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Initial ConsultationA focused review of your readiness and options. From £100
Sponsor Licence ApplicationFull preparation and submission of your licence application. POA
Compliance ReviewAudit of your existing systems, records and reporting. POA

"POA" means price on application — quoted in writing before work begins. Home Office licence fees (small/certificate-of-sponsorship fees) apply separately and are payable to the Home Office. No outcome is ever guaranteed.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a sponsor licence last?

Licences are valid for four years and can be renewed. They can also be revoked or downgraded at any time if you fail your duties — which is why ongoing compliance matters as much as the application.

What are the different licence types?

The main categories are Worker (for long-term sponsored employment such as Skilled Worker) and Temporary Worker (for short-term routes such as seasonal or creative workers). Most employers apply for both.

What does the Home Office check?

Expect scrutiny of your business's genuineness, your HR and reporting systems, and your key personnel's history. For some applications, a compliance visit may follow.

Can a new business get a licence?

Yes — but newer businesses face a higher evidential burden to prove genuineness and capability. We help you build the strongest possible case, or tell you honestly if you should wait.

What happens if key personnel leave?

You must keep key personnel details current. Gaps in your Level 1 user or authorising officer roles can cause serious problems — report changes promptly via the SMS.

What if our licence application is refused?

Refusals usually stem from inadequate preparation. Depending on the grounds, options may include reapplying or challenging the decision. Contact us promptly for an honest assessment.

Ready to Become a Licensed Sponsor?

Book a consultation and we'll give you an honest assessment of your readiness — before you spend money on an application.