How to apply for a sponsor licence
If you're an employer in Scotland who wishes to hire a migrant worker, you'll need to obtain a sponsor licence to become a Home Office registered sponsor.
To obtain a sponsor licence, follow these three steps:
- Submit an online application to the Home Office – you can save a draft as you go.
- Pay the relevant fee.
- Send supporting documents electronically to the Home Office – including proof that your application has been submitted and proof of payment.
For full guidance, see UK visa sponsorship for employers on GOV.UK
Apply for a sponsor licence on the Home Office website opens in a new window
Which licence to apply for
When applying for a sponsor licence, you’ll be asked to choose whether to apply for a:
a) Skilled Worker licence for bringing existing staff to Scotland with a view to them remaining here permanently and bringing new staff into the organisation, or a
b) Global Business Mobility licence for multinational businesses that wish to establish a presence in or transfer staff to the UK. This licence can allow certain eligible workers to be transferred to Scotland. It does not usually lead to the staff remaining in Scotland permanently. Workers must usually already work for the overseas/connected company, subject to certain exceptions.
If you qualify for both licences, consider applying for both at the same time. This will save you having to make a separate application in the future if your recruitment plans change. There’s no additional cost for this, and it should only require a small amount of additional supporting documents.
Application fee
The fee to apply is:
- £536 for small organisations or those with charitable status, regardless of the licence you’re applying for
- £536 for medium or large sponsors applying for a worker licence only
- £1476 for medium or large sponsors applying for a worker or worker and temporary worker licence
- £940 for medium or large sponsors to add a temporary worker licence to an existing worker licence
Find more about application costs on GOV.UK opens in a new window
Your organisation must usually meet at least two of the following three conditions if you are to be defined as a small organisation:
- The average number of employees must be 50 or fewer.
- Annual turnover must be £6.5 million or less.
- The balance sheet total must be £3.26 million or less.
Required documentation
The supporting documentation is very important. Your application will be refused (and your fee lost) if you don't send the correct documentation or if you don’t send it in the correct format. The Home Office is extremely strict on this. So, it’s important that you check the documentation carefully against the Home Office policy guidance before you send it.
If your documents are not original documents, then they need to be certified as true copies in a specific manner. Not all solicitors or advisers will be aware of this, and you should draw this to the attention of the person certifying the documents for you.
The Home Office may also conduct checks with various bodies, such as HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the Register of Companies, to verify any information that you provide.
They may also conduct an on-site compliance visit as part of your application and are likely to continue on-site audits throughout the duration of your licence.
Find out what documents you need to send on GOV.UK opens in a new window
Processing times
The Home Office's estimated processing time is normally eight weeks (about two months) from the date they receive the electronic documents and application form, but this can be longer in some cases.
You may also be eligible to pay an additional £500 to have your application expedited to receive a decision within 10 working days.
You cannot employ an overseas (migrant) worker until you have a sponsor licence. Even then, there are other steps that need to be taken first. Apply well before you wish your new recruit to start work.
Once you have a licence, you will be able to issue Certificates of Sponsorship much more quickly.
Apply for a sponsor licence on the Home Office website opens in a new window
Sponsor rating
Depending on your application, you will be given either an A-rating or a B-rating.
If you’re designated as a B-rated sponsor, you must follow an action plan set out by the Home Office to become an A-rated sponsor. You’ll need to pay for this and become an A-rated sponsor or you may lose your licence.
Once you receive your licence, you’re entitled to issue Certificates of Sponsorship to future employees who are eligible for sponsorship, as they'll need this to make their visa application.
Extending your sponsorship licence
Your sponsor licence will be in place for an initial period of four years, as long as no action is taken against you by UK Immigration and Visas (UKVI) in relation to your sponsor duties. After this, you’ll be able to extend your licence for a further period.