UK Sponsor Licence Application
- Details
- Written by: Wembley Solicitors
Sponsor licences are issued by the UK's Home Office, allowing businesses and educational establishments to issue Certificates of Sponsorship to workers and students coming to the UK.
At Wembley Solicitors, we understand the commercial importance of securing a sponsor licence in a timely manner. Our immigration Solicitors have assisted many businesses, schools, and universities in securing sponsor licences. We have refined our processes and systems to ensure that when we submit a sponsor licence application, it will have the very best chance of success in the shortest possible time. Core to our success in this area is our ability to efficiently prepare businesses to meet their sponsorship responsibilities. This is key to any sponsor licence application as the Home Office will carry out an onsite visit at your premises to check your readiness to sponsor before giving approval.
Who we serve
Wembley Solicitors' immigration law team serves UK based businesses, multi-national organisations, and overseas businesses with a presence (or trying to establish a presence) in the UK. We also support schools, universities and other educational establishments requiring sponsor licence and visa support. Many of our valued clients retain our services, allowing us to handle all of their immigration law needs as and when required.
What we do
Wembley Solicitors' immigration law department handles all aspects of sponsor licence applications, including:
- Checking your eligibility for a sponsor licence
- Preparing and submitting sponsor licence applications
- Providing guidance and support to ensure sponsor licence applicants have the business systems and processes (e.g. record keeping) needed to meet the duties of a licence holder
- Advising on the use of the Home Office Sponsorship Management System (SMS)
- Handling the downgrading, revocation, or suspension of a sponsor licence
- Handling refusal of a sponsor licence application
- Dealing with the Home Office (UK Visas and Immigration) regarding sponsor licence applications
Once sponsored, we also ensure ongoing compliance by providing mock audits on a regular basis and dealing with downgrades, suspensions, or revocation of sponsor licences.
No matter how complicated or urgent your sponsor licence needs, our immigration law Solicitors can represent you. As a full-service law firm, we can also advise and represent you regarding any other legal matter including in the areas of litigation, commercial property, and criminal law.
Our immigration law ethos
Our immigration Solicitors are commercially savvy and experts in immigration law and will work closely with your business to provide a seamless service. We will take the time to get to know your business, its needs, and its people. In doing so, we become an extension of your organisation, providing immigration guidance and support when needed.
At Wembley Solicitors, we know that in the current economic climate, being able to secure personnel from another country can be vital in ensuring your continued commercial success. You can be assured that our immigration Solicitors will always respond to your requests as quickly as possible and prioritise tasks that are of greatest importance to your business.
Sponsor licence application FAQs
Before applying for a sponsor licence, prospective sponsors must meet the Home Office's compliance responsibilities; these include:
- Checking overseas candidates have the necessary skills, qualifications or professional accreditations to perform their jobs
- Keeping records (e.g. copies of passports/visas, and right-to-work checks)
- Only assigning certificates of sponsorship to suitable candidates
- Reporting significant changes to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
Wembley Solicitors can advise on how to comply with these responsibilities and how to put in place the necessary systems and processes. We can then prepare and submit your sponsor licence on your behalf and ensure a positive result as quickly as possible.
Most sponsor licence applications take up to 8 weeks to process using the standard service or up to 10 working days if using the priority service (for an additional fee of £500). UKVI will visit your premises during this time to complete a pre-compliance visit; hence it is important to be ready to prove your readiness to sponsor as soon as you submit your application. Our immigration Solicitors can carry out a review of your compliance, ensuring that your UKVI visit proceeds smoothly and you receive your sponsor licence in the shortest possible time.
Business sponsor licences are split into worker (for skilled and long-term workers) and temporary worker categories. Education providers require a student sponsor licence.
The worker sponsor licence category is further split into:
- Skilled Worker
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Minister of Religion
- International Sportsperson
The temporary worker sponsor licence category, allowing holders to stay up to 6 months, 1 year or 2 years, is further split into:
- Creative Worker
- Charity Worker
- Religious Worker
- Government Authorised Exchange
- International Agreement
- Graduate Trainee (Global Business Mobility)
- Service Supplier (Global Business Mobility)
- UK Expansion Worker (Global Business Mobility)
- Secondment Worker (Global Business Mobility)
- Seasonal Worker
When you submit your application, you will need to select the correct type of licence based on the visa that your overseas workers will require.
Need Legal Advice & Assistance?
We provide expert advice, practical assistance, and professional representation to guide you through the application and decision-making process, from start to finish.
We're authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), so you know you're in safe hands.
Contact our solicitor today to get legal advice and assistance with your UK immigration matters.
You can call us on 02034173700 or leave your details here for a callback request regarding your legal matter.
