Types Of Sponsor Licence: A Comprehensive Guide

The United Kingdom is a hub for businesses, education, and innovation, attracting organisations and individuals from all over the globe. To enable UK-based employers to hire skilled workers from outside the UK, the UK government has established various types of sponsor licences. This blog will explore the different types of sponsor licence, their categories, and the requirements associated with each, offering a clear guide to help your business with the sponsorship process.

Key Points

• A UK sponsor licence is divided into two main categories: Worker and Temporary Worker.
• The Worker licence is used for long-term roles, including Skilled Worker and International Sportsperson visas.
• The Temporary Worker licence covers visas for specific, often short-term roles like Creative Worker and Seasonal Worker.
• To get a licence, an organisation must prove it is a genuine entity and can comply with its sponsor duties.
• A valid sponsor licence allows employers to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship, a requirement for non-UK workers to apply for a visa.

What Is a UK Sponsor Licence?

A UK sponsor licence is permission granted by the Home Office to UK-based employers, allowing them to recruit eligible workers from outside the UK for specific roles. This is a crucial requirement for any business that wishes to hire a non-UK resident who needs a work visa. The licence ensures that employers meet certain standards and can fulfill their sponsorship duties.

Sponsor licences are divided into two general sponsor licence categories: Worker and Temporary Worker.

Worker Sponsor Licence Categories

The Worker licence covers several visa categories for long-term employment, including:

Skilled Worker: This visa allows employers to sponsor non-UK citizens for skilled positions. Applicants must achieve 50 points based on criteria like appropriate sponsorship, a qualifying job, salary thresholds, and English language proficiency.

Senior or Specialist Worker (Global Business Mobility): This visa is part of the Global Business Mobility (GBM) program and is for senior or specialised employees transferring to a UK branch of their overseas employer.

T2 Minister of Religion: This visa is for individuals who will serve as religious missionaries or members of a religious order within a faith-based organisation.

International Sportsperson: This is for elite and recognised coaches or sportspeople who will contribute to their sport at the highest level in the UK. This visa replaced the Tier 2 Sportsperson Visa and the sporting part of the Tier 5 Creative and Sporting Visa.

Requirements for a Worker Sponsor Licence

To make a successful application for a Worker sponsor licence, you must meet several key eligibility criteria:

Genuine Organisation: You must provide documentary evidence to prove you are a legitimate organisation.

Genuine Employment: The job offered must be a real position with duties that match the required skill level, and the salary must meet or exceed the relevant threshold.

Compliance with Sponsor Duties: Your HR systems and processes must be compliant with sponsor duties related to record-keeping, monitoring, and reporting.

Honesty and Reliability: The UKVI will conduct background checks on key personnel to ensure there is no history of criminal convictions or violations of immigration rules.

Pro Tips

Internal Audits: Regularly audit your HR and recruitment processes to ensure they are compliant with all sponsor duties before the UKVI conducts its own checks. This includes monitoring migrant workers' status and maintaining accurate records.

Keep a Digital Trail: Maintain a secure, easy-to-access digital record of all documents and communications related to your sponsored workers. This will be invaluable if the Home Office conducts a compliance visit.

Real-Time Scenarios

Scenario 1: Expanding Your Business: An international company is looking to set up a new branch in the UK. The UK Expansion Worker visa, part of the Global Business Mobility program, is the appropriate route for sending foreign individuals to establish a UK presence.

Scenario 2: Hiring a Non-UK Citizen: You have a job opening for a highly skilled software engineer, but the best candidate is from outside the UK. You can offer them a Skilled Worker visa, provided the role meets the salary and skill thresholds and you have a valid sponsor licence.

Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence Categories

A Temporary Worker sponsor licence allows employers to sponsor overseas nationals for specific temporary roles, including:

Creative Worker: For international applicants who can make a distinctive contribution to the UK's cultural scene as artists or entertainers.

Charity Worker: For individuals doing unpaid, voluntary work for a registered charitable organisation.

Religious Worker: For those who will assist a religious institution in a non-pastoral role.

Scale-up Worker: For individuals working for a rapidly expanding business in the UK.

Other categories: The licence also covers visas for Seasonal Workers, Government Authorised Exchange, International Agreement, and several Global Business Mobility routes like Graduate Trainee, Service Supplier, UK Expansion Worker, and Secondment Worker.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Q: What are the two main types of sponsor licences in the UK?

A:The two main types are the Worker sponsor licence and the Temporary Worker sponsor licence. Each category is designed for different employment needs, such as long-term skilled work versus short-term or specialised roles.

Q: What is a sponsor licence used for?

A: A sponsor licence is a legal requirement for UK employers who wish to hire workers from outside the UK who need a visa to work. It allows the employer to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to an eligible individual.

Q: How long is a sponsor licence valid?

A: A sponsor licence is generally valid indefinitely as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. If you have a licence to sponsor Scale-up Workers or UK Expansion Workers, it will be valid for 4 years.

Q: What happens if an organisation fails to comply with sponsor duties?

A: Failure to comply with sponsor duties can lead to the licence being revoked. The Home Office assesses an organisation's trustworthiness, and any violations can result in penalties.

Final Words

Navigating the intricacies of the UK sponsor licence system is essential for businesses seeking to sponsor foreign workers. Understanding the various types of sponsor licence and their associated requirements is crucial for a smooth and compliant application process. By acquiring a sponsor licence, organisations can tap into a global talent pool, supporting their growth and innovation.

At WestBridge Business Immigration, we have the necessary experience to assist you with a sponsor licence application. Our experts offer support at all stages, from preparing and submitting applications to helping potential employees apply for UK visas. Contact us today to secure your business's future.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.