£536Small employer fee
£1,476Medium/large fee
8 weeksTypical processing time
4 yearsLicence validity
What is a sponsor licence?
A sponsor licence is official permission from the Home Office that allows a UK employer to hire workers from outside the UK (and outside the settled/pre-settled status scheme). Without a sponsor licence, you cannot legally employ someone on a Skilled Worker visa, Health and Care Worker visa, or other sponsored routes.
Eligibility — can your business apply?
✓
Legitimately operating in the UKRegistered with Companies House (Ltd companies) or HMRC (sole traders/partnerships). Must have a genuine business need to recruit from overseas.
✓
No history of immigration non-complianceNo unspent criminal convictions for immigration offences, fraud, or money laundering by key personnel.
✓
HR systems in placeMust be able to monitor sponsored workers, keep records, and report to the Home Office when required.
✓
Named key personnelMust appoint an Authorising Officer, Key Contact, and Level 1 User — all must pass the Home Office character check.
Sponsor licence fees
| Organisation type | Licence fee |
|---|
| Small/charitable sponsor | £536 |
| Medium or large sponsor | £1,476 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) — per worker | £239 |
| Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) — small employer, per year | £364 |
| Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) — medium/large employer, per year | £1,000 |
Small employer = 50 or fewer employees, OR charitable organisation. Fees subject to change — always check GOV.UK for current rates.
How to apply — step by step
1
Check you are eligibleConfirm your business is registered, has no relevant criminal history, and has HR systems to monitor sponsored workers.
2
Appoint key personnelAppoint an Authorising Officer (senior person responsible), Key Contact (main liaison with Home Office), and Level 1 User (day-to-day Sponsorship Management System access).
3
Gather supporting documentsTypically: proof of registration (Companies House), HMRC registration, bank statements, employer liability insurance, lease/ownership of premises. Usually 4 documents from the Home Office list.
4
Apply online via GOV.UKComplete the online application at gov.uk/apply-sponsor-licence. Pay the application fee. Upload supporting documents.
5
Home Office assessmentProcessing takes approximately 8 weeks. The Home Office may visit your premises. Answer any queries promptly.
✓
Licence granted — start issuing COSOnce approved, you access the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) to assign Certificates of Sponsorship to workers you want to hire.
Compliance duties — what you must do after getting a licence
📋 Record keeping
Keep copies of workers' passports, visas, contact details, and national insurance numbers. Records must be available for Home Office inspection.
📊 Monitoring & reporting
Report to the Home Office within 10 working days if a worker doesn't turn up, changes role significantly, is absent without explanation, or leaves employment.
💰 Salary requirements
Sponsored workers must be paid at least the higher of: the general minimum salary threshold (£38,700) or the "going rate" for their specific role.
⚠️ Consequences of non-compliance
Licence suspension, downgrading, or revocation. Civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker. Criminal prosecution in serious cases.
Need help getting your sponsor licence?
We connect you with IAA-registered advisers who specialise in sponsor licence applications for UK employers.
Information is for general guidance only. Sponsor licence requirements and fees change — always check GOV.UK before applying. VisaPath Pro is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.