Sponsor Licence Services
A sponsor licence enables a UK-based organisation to employ migrant workers legally. Organisations holding a sponsor licence, known as a sponsor, can issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to eligible non-UK nationals. These certificates are essential for securing a UK work visa and can be issued to applicants already in the UK (undefined CoS) or applying from outside the UK (defined CoS). Sponsor Licences in the UK no longer have a fixed expiry date. Holding a sponsor licence opens the door for UK employers to attract and retain international talent, helping to fill critical skills gaps and drive business growth.
Obtaining a sponsor licence is a highly regulated process, and retaining it requires strict adherence to compliance obligations. Employers must ensure their HR systems and procedures operate effectively and meet the Home Office’s standards.
A Worker licence:
A 'Worker' licence will allow you to sponsor individuals in various types of skilled employment. The skilled work can be temporary, long-term, or permanent.
The existing categories include: • Skilled worker (popular) • Global Mobility Visa: UK Expansion Worker • Global Mobility Visa: Scale Up Worker • Global Mobility Visa: Senior or Specialist Worker Visa • Global Mobility Visa: Graduate Trainee • Global Mobility Visa: Secondment Worker • Global Mobility Visa: Service Supplier • Minister of Religion
A compliance audit by UK immigration officers is a thorough review of your business's processes, records, and procedures relating to your sponsor licence. Ensuring full compliance is essential to protect your licence, and our experienced immigration lawyers are here to guide and support you every step of the way.
There are certain obligations as a licensed sponsor that should be fulfilled; remember the three 'R's.
(1) Reporting Duties: You must inform the Home Office of certain events related to both your organisation and your sponsored workers. These reports must be submitted via the Sponsor Management System (SMS) and are typically due within 10 working days.
Examples of reportable changes: • A sponsored worker stops coming to work or is absent without permission or justifiable cause. • A change in your organisation's address, ownership, or structure. • A worker's contract is terminated early. • A worker's job title or salary changes. • The worker does not start the role as expected.
Failing to report accurately or on time may lead to enforcement action, including licence suspension or revocation.
(2) Record Keeping Duties: Maintaining accurate, up-to-date records is another cornerstone of compliance. These records must be readily available in the event of a Home Office audit.
Key documents you must retain include: • A copy of the sponsored worker's passport and visa. • Evidence of the worker's right to work checks. • Employment contract and job description. • Salary details and payment records. • Absence records and annual leave. • Proof of recruitment process.
All records should be stored securely and retained for at least one year after the sponsorship ends or for the duration of the sponsorship, whichever is longer.
(3) Responsibilities of Key Personnel: Your sponsor licence requires the appointment of key individuals who will manage compliance. These roles must be filled by people who are trustworthy, reliable, and have no unspent criminal convictions.
The three mandatory roles are:
- Authorising Officer – A senior person responsible for overall compliance.
- Key Contact – The main point of contact with the Home Office.
- Level 1 User – Manages day-to-day tasks in the Sponsor Management System (SMS). These individuals must thoroughly understand their responsibilities and be committed to upholding compliance standards. Any changes in these roles must be reported to the Home Office immediately.
Contact Us: Please contact us if you are interested in purchasing the compliance materials, if your company is seeking to obtain a sponsor licence, or if you require legal advice regarding your own or your employees' immigration status. Our team of expert immigration lawyers is ready to assist you with tailored, professional support.
Holding a sponsor licence is a privilege that comes with serious responsibilities. To maintain your licence and continue hiring skilled workers from overseas, it's essential to be compliant with Home Office regulations. This includes fulfilling specific duties related to reporting, record-keeping, and ensuring the right personnel are in place and properly trained.
We offer a comprehensive material pack designed to support your sponsor licence compliance. This pack includes:
- staff rotas Excel sheet (customisable)
- employment contracts
- contract addendums
- staff contact list
- absence tracking sheet
- File checklist Everything you need to stay organised and audit-ready in one convenient package.
Contact Us: Please contact us if you are interested in purchasing the compliance materials, if your company is seeking to obtain a sponsor licence, or if you require legal advice regarding your own or your employees' immigration status. Our team of expert immigration lawyers is ready to assist you with tailored, professional support.
The Sponsor Management System (SMS) is the online platform provided by the UK Home Office for licensed sponsors to manage their sponsor licence and their duties. It is where you request and assign Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), update company details, and report any changes to your sponsored workers. The use of SMS is critical to maintaining your sponsor licence and avoiding compliance issues.
What We Help With: Our immigration specialists provide full SMS support, including: • CoS allocation and assignment – ensuring requests and assignments are accurate and compliant. • Amendments or withdrawal of CoS – making corrections or cancelling a certificate when necessary to maintain compliance. • Licence updates – notifying the Home Office of changes to your organisation’s details, key personnel, or business structure. • Worker updates – reporting changes to sponsored workers’ roles, salaries, or work locations. • Compliance checks – reviewing your SMS records to ensure they meet Home Office requirements.
One-to-One SMS Consultations: We offer personalised, one-to-one consultations on how to navigate and effectively use the Sponsor Management System. Our experts can guide you through every step, answer your questions, and provide tailored advice for your specific business needs. Contact us today to arrange your consultation and ensure your sponsor licence remains fully compliant.
Why the SMS Matters: Failure to use the SMS correctly can lead to Home Office enforcement action, including downgrading, suspension, or revocation of your sponsor licence. Every update and record must be precise, timely, and supported by appropriate documentation.
Why Choose Us? We have helped UK employers across various industries maintain a fully compliant, secure, and up-to-date Sponsor Management System. With our expert guidance, you can focus on running your business. At the same time, we ensure your sponsor licence obligations are met – reducing the risk of costly errors and protecting your ability to hire skilled international talent.
If your business holds a UK sponsor licence, you must request and assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) before a skilled worker can apply for a UK work visa. A CoS is an electronic record issued through the Home Office’s Sponsorship Management System (SMS) and is essential for any non-UK national you intend to employ under the Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility routes.
Allocation of Certificate of Sponsorship: Your business must have CoS allocations in place to sponsor workers. There are two main types: • Defined CoS – for applicants applying from outside the UK. • Undefined CoS – for applicants already in the UK switching or extending their visa.
Sponsors must request CoS allocations annually or as needed. The Home Office will review your request to ensure it meets immigration compliance standards and that you have genuine vacancies.
Assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship: Once your allocation is approved, you can assign a CoS to the individual you wish to sponsor. This includes: • Entering accurate details about the job role, salary, and working hours. • Confirming the role meets the relevant visa route requirements. • Paying the applicable CoS fee and, if required, the Immigration Skills Charge.
Any errors or misleading information on a CoS can lead to visa refusals, sponsor compliance action, or licence revocation.
Why Choose Us? Our UK immigration lawyers have successfully assigned over 100 CoS for business across multiple sectors. We manage your CoS allocation requests and handle the assignment process from start to finish, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely submission. With our expertise, you can secure the international talent your business requires to protect your sponsor licence.
Why: To avoid sanctions- civil (Fines up to £20,000 per illegal worker) and criminal penalties (e.g., 5 years' prison) Reputational damage is huge Revocation of the sponsor licence Business closure Seizure of earnings made as a result of illegal working
When: MUST DO CHECK BEFORE THEY START WORK! INITIAL CHECK: before the employees start working at the company (TIP: before they enter the office) FOLLOW UP CHECKS: Must recheck visa status regularly (TIP: update contact list every 6 months)
Who: British and Irish nationals à manual checks or Identification Documentation Validation Technology EU nationals with Pre-settled or Settled Status à Use the Online Right to Work Check service EU nationals or third country nationals with other visa status (e.g., family and ILR) à Use Online Right to Work Check service Immigrant Student: Use the Online Right to Work Check service and obtain a letter from the school/ university faculty. Any third country national with a pending visa application and who has section 3C leave under the Immigration Act 1971, à use online employer checking services
What: Fill out the Right to Work checklist before the employees start working Documents: (i) Full copy of passport (ii) Proof of address (iii) Adoption certificate- if applicable (iv) National Insurance number (v) Proof of immigration status (i.e., E Visa)-if applicable (vi) Share Code - if applicable
Common mistakes - the following are not evidence of Right to Work: UK Driving Licence Birth Certificate Expired Passport
FAQ: What documents are acceptable for individuals with ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) status? Current passport and E Visa. Note: Travel with an ILR in an expired passport is permitted, but not acceptable for RTW checks. What documentation do student workers require? You must have evidence of course dates and vacation periods. It is recommended to get a specific letter from their university rather than relying on generic university term dates.
Students cannot take permanent roles even if they can work full-time hours (unless they have applied for a Skilled Worker visa).
Can asylum seekers work? Generally, no, asylum seekers do not have permission to work. However, they can apply for a variation of conditions (usually if the application has been processing for over 12 months). If granted, work is typically limited to roles in occupations with a shortage of workers. What rights do refugees have regarding employment?
Refugees are granted the right to work in any profession or at any skill level. They are subject to National Minimum Wage standards.
Contact Us: Please contact us if you are interested in purchasing the compliance materials, if your company is seeking to obtain a sponsor licence, or if you require legal advice regarding your own or your workers' immigration status. Our team of expert immigration lawyers is ready to assist you with tailored, professional support.
