How to get a British sponsorship license
As you probably gleaned from this guide, employees aren’t the only ones who need permits to work in the UK. If you plan on hiring team members who aren’t UK citizens, your company must get a sponsorship license from the UKVI office first.
There are five steps to obtaining a sponsorship license in the UK:
- Make sure your business is eligible. You’re eligible for this license so long as you haven’t violated any immigration laws, committed crimes like fraud or money laundering, and haven’t had a sponsorship license revoked in the last 12 months. You must also designate someone to manage sponsored employees and have a system in place to monitor them. Be aware that UKVI might want to visit your business to make sure you have everything in place before they make a decision about your application.
- Make sure the job is suitable for sponsorship. UKVI has numerous criteria for jobs it considers “suitable” for sponsorship, so make sure you have a thorough understanding of what you need to do to be compliant with UK employment law. You’ll also need to select the proper occupation code, ensure the position is on the list of eligible jobs, and prove that the job is genuine and isn’t just being used to help someone gain entry to the UK.
- Select the right sponsorship license. There are two types of sponsorship licenses to choose from, depending on what types of jobs you’re hiring for and which visas your workers have:
- Workers: This option is for skilled and/or long-term employment. You’ll choose it if you’re hiring people with Skilled Worker visas or those with Senior or Specialist Worker visas.
- Temporary Workers: This is for temporary employment, including volunteers. You’ll need it to hire people with Creative Worker visas, Scale-Up Worker visas, or Seasonal Worker visas, to name a few.
It’s perfectly fine to apply for one or both licenses, depending on what you need.
Once you’re approved, your sponsorship license is good for four years before it needs to be renewed.
Frequently asked questions about work visas for employees in the UK
Do I need a job offer before I can get a UK work visa?
The short answer is yes. The majority of people who want to work in the UK will need a job offer before they can apply for a permit. The Home Office will want a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) to confirm the offer; you, the employer, are responsible for providing your new hires with a CoS.
How long is a Skilled Worker visa valid for?
A Skilled Worker visa (also called a Tier 2 (General) visa) is good for five years before it needs to be renewed. Eligible workers who have been employed in the UK for five years can also apply for indefinite leave to remain, also called settlement.
Do I need a sponsorship license?
Yes. Any business that intends to hire employees who aren’t UK citizens needs a sponsorship license before it can start hiring.
How long is a British sponsorship license valid for?
Sponsorship licenses are valid for four years before they need to be renewed.
How long does it take to get a sponsor license in the UK?
The processing time for sponsor licenses is eight weeks.
Do US and Canadian citizens need a work permit to work in the UK?
Yes. The Home Office requires all foreign nationals to hold a valid work permit to be employed in the United Kingdom, including US, EU, Commonwealth, and EEA citizens. The only country that’s an exception to this rule is the Republic of Ireland.
What documents are required to apply for a Skilled Worker visa?
When filling out a visa application, an employee will need, at minimum:
- A valid passport or another travel document
- Their CoS reference number
- Proof of their knowledge of English
- Their job title and annual salary
- The name of their employer and their sponsor license number
- Their job’s occupation code
Unless they’re EEA citizens with a biometric passport, they’ll also need to have a blank page in their passport. Additionally, it’s important to note that partners and dependents are not automatically included on the work visa application form. They’ll need proof of eligibility and their own British visa applications to move to and/or work in the UK.
What’s the fastest way to get a UK work visa?
The processing time for UK work permits isn’t super lengthy. If they’re applying from outside the United Kingdom, an employee should expect to hear from the Home Office within three weeks. If they’re already living in the UK, they can expect a decision within eight weeks.
If the employee meets certain eligibility requirements and is willing to pay an additional fee, it’s possible to get a decision in five business days or even by the end of the following business day. They can find out if they qualify for priority or super priority processing when they fill out the permit application.
Employees can begin the work permit application process up to three months before their start date.
Is there a limit on the number of sponsor licenses you can obtain in the UK?
No. You can get both a Worker and Temporary Worker license if you need them.
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Rippling can connect you with immigration services to help you sponsor work visas around the world; enquire for more information.
