Sponsor licence guidance for UK employers
How to Get a Sponsor Licence
The requirements, documents, key roles and duties your business needs in place before it applies.
Written for UK employers and HR teams
Reviewed by senior immigration lawyers
Fees agreed before you instruct us
Book a 15-Minute Eligibility Check
Tell us about your business and the support you need.
If you are a jobseeker, please do not contact us through this form.
Getting a sponsor licence in five steps
1. Check your business is eligible
It must be a genuine organisation operating lawfully in the UK, and the people in key roles must pass the Home Office’s suitability checks.
2. Check the roles can be sponsored
Each role is judged on its occupation code, skill level and salary.
3. Choose your key people
Name an Authorising Officer, a Key Contact and at least one Level 1 User, and make sure each understands the role.
4. Gather your documents and apply
Which supporting documents you need depends on your business type. You then apply online and pay the Home Office fee.
5. Get ready for your duties
Once licensed, you must keep records, report changes and check right to work, and the Home Office may visit.
Is this you?
You are planning your first sponsored hire
Book a 15-minute eligibility check to understand what your business needs.
You already hold a licence
Get support with sponsor duties, compliance and day-to-day management.
You want to know the costs first
Estimate the licence and per-worker costs before you commit.
How it works
1. Tell us about your plans
Tell us about your business and the roles you want to fill.
2. Check your eligibility
A senior immigration lawyer reviews your situation in a 15-minute eligibility check.
3. Receive a clear proposal
You receive a written scope and fee before you instruct us.
PUBLISHED CASE STUDY
Why evidence and key-role planning matter
A care provider came to WestBridge after a refusal linked to administrative errors, key personnel access and genuine vacancy concerns. Our team reviewed the refusal, reorganised the evidence and clarified the role. The reapplication was approved.
This is one client’s experience, not a guarantee of a future outcome.
FAQs about getting a sponsor licence
How long does an application take?
The Home Office decides and times vary. We give you the current published times when we scope your application.
Which documents do we need?
Which supporting documents apply depends on your business type. We identify the relevant evidence during the eligibility check.
Who should be our Authorising Officer?
A senior person responsible for how your business manages sponsorship. We help you choose and explain the role.
Can we apply without an adviser?
Yes. Many employers use an adviser to review their evidence first, because a refusal can mean waiting before applying again.
What happens after the licence is granted?
You can assign Certificates of Sponsorship to eligible workers, and your sponsor duties begin.
