UK Visa Partners

Menu

Corporate Services

Home / Corporate Services

Sponsorship Licence Application

Companies looking to employ non-British and non-settled employees must first be granted a sponsor licence before they can issue a Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to sponsor them.

The application process can be lengthy and complex as the Home Office scrutinises all the submitted documents thoroughly. With our service, you can have peace of mind as we take the pressure from your shoulders and work robustly to deliver you with positive results.

How to get a Sponsor Licence for your business:

  1. Check if your business is eligible:
    • To be classified as an eligible business, your staff members must not have any history of immigration offences, criminal records, or past failure to meet sponsorship duties.
  2. Decide which is the suitable licence for you:
    • This is determined by the type of worker you intend to sponsor.
  3. Nominate the employees that will be responsible in managing your business’ sponsorship licence:
    • They must be senior members of the company and cannot be shareholders. You will need to choose at least two members to use the Sponsorship Management System (SMS).
  4. Apply online and pay the home office fee:
    • The amount varies depending on the type of visa you want to sponsor and the size of your business.
  5. Prepare a pre-approval audit from the Home Office.

Our Services:

UK Visa Partners provides a solution-based approach to meet with client needs and expectations, we can assist with the following tasks:

  1. Advise on the most suitable structure of licence to apply for i.e. single or multiple;
  2. Advise on whether your existing HR systems are adequate for you to meet you’re your obligations as a Skilled Sponsorship licenced employer;
  3. Assist with the drafting the Skilled Sponsorship Licence application online;
  4. Assist with the collation of supporting documentation to support the Sponsorship Licence application;
  5. Advise on how to apply and assign an unrestricted or restricted certificate of sponsorship;
  6. Advise on the licencing requirement in accordance with the latest published policy guidance.

We are able to guide you through the entire application process step by step. Although we will be pedantic when asking for the right documents from you, we are simply doing our best to minimise the risk of refusal.

Should you be interested in applying for a sponsor license, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on +44 (0)20 7253 6888 by phone or info@ukvisapartners.com by e-mail. We will endeavour to provide you with the highest standard of service!

Sponsor Compliance Service

It can be challenging for UK employers to navigate Sponsor Compliance Audits and Home Office compliance visits are inevitable for licence holders. At UK Visa Partners, we provide expert compliance services to ensure organisations meet Home Office requirements, protecting their ability to employ overseas talent. 

Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance Visits

As a sponsor licence holder, you must adhere to specific duties to maintain your licence:

  • Reporting Duties: Notify the Home Office of significant organisational changes, such as mergers or key personnel updates.
  • Record-Keeping Duties: Maintain accurate records for all sponsored employees, including immigration status, contact details, and employment history.
  • Certificate of Sponsorship: Issue certificates only to eligible workers.
  • Sponsorship Management System (SMS): Use the SMS effectively to manage your sponsorship responsibilities.

Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance Visits

During a compliance visit, officers will verify:

  • The accuracy and completeness of the information provided to UKVI.
  • Your ability to offer employment at the Skilled Worker skill level.
  • Ensure that your organisation is genuine, lawful, and not a threat to immigration control.
  • Compliance with all sponsor duties.

Employers will expect a thorough review of record-keeping, reporting, and immigration monitoring processes. Compliance officers typically do not provide immediate feedback during the visit, so maintaining continuous compliance is essential.

Ensure Your Organisation Stays Compliant with Our Expert Support

  1. Pre-Licence Compliance Visits
    • Before your sponsor licence is approved, the Home Office may conduct a pre-licence compliance visit to assess your organisation’s readiness. Our expert team ensures you are fully prepared, helping you demonstrate compliance with ease.
  2. Post-Licence Compliance Visits 
    • Once your licence is granted, periodic visits from the Home Office are inevitable to confirm your adherence to sponsor duties. With our professional support, you can confidently meet every requirement.
  3. Compliance Audits 
    • Regular internal audits are vital to maintaining compliance and safeguarding your sponsor licence. We provide thorough reviews of your records, processes, and sponsorship duties, ensuring you remain aligned with Home Office expectations.

How Our Immigration Advisors Are Able To Help

Should you be interested in applying for a Sponsor Compliance service, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us through dialling +44 (0)20 7253 6888 or emailing info@ukvisapartners.com. We always endeavour to provide our clients with the highest standard of service!

Certificate of Sponsorship

You must assign a certificate of sponsorship to each foreign worker you employ. This is an electronic record, not a physical document. Each certificate has its own number which a worker can use to apply for a visa.

Understanding the requirements for a CoS

Obtaining a UK Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) requires meeting specific criteria outlined by UKVI. Key considerations include:

  1. Job Role and Skill Level:
    The job being sponsored must meet the skill level criteria set by UKVI and align with the UK Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. 
  2. Salary Threshold:
    The salary offered must meet the minimum threshold specified by UKVI. This threshold depends on factors such as the job role, location, and type of CoS. 
  3. Genuine Vacancy:
    The role must represent a legitimate vacancy within the sponsoring organization. UKVI may evaluate the role’s authenticity and adherence to the relevant Codes of Practice. 
  4. English Language Proficiency:
    Sponsored employees are usually required to demonstrate English language proficiency at the specified level. This can be done through approved language tests or qualifications. 
  5. Maintenance Funds:
    Depending on the circumstances, the sponsored employee may need to show evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependents in the UK. 
  6. Compliance with Immigration Rules:
    Sponsors and sponsored employees must adhere to all relevant UK immigration rules. This includes reporting any changes in the employee’s circumstances, maintaining accurate records, and fulfilling sponsor duties.

Understanding and adhering to these requirements is essential to facilitate a smooth and successful CoS application process.

How Our Immigration Advisors Are Able To Help

Should you be interested in applying for a Certificate of Sponsorship service, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us through dialling +44 (0)20 7253 6888 or emailing info@ukvisapartners.com. We always endeavour to provide our clients with the highest standard of service!

Skilled Worker Visa

Overview

The Skilled Worker visa enables you to live and work in the UK in an eligible role with an approved employer.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa, you must:

  • Work for a UK employer approved by the Home Office.
  • Possess a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from your employer that outlines the job role offered in the UK.
  • Be employed in a job listed as an eligible occupation.
  • Receive a minimum salary, which will depend on the specific job and the date your CoS was issued.

Key Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, you must have a job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor licence. The job must meet the required skill level, and you must have the necessary English language skills to work effectively in the UK. Additionally, you must meet the salary requirements and have enough savings to support yourself upon arrival.

How Long You Can Stay

Your Skilled Worker visa can be valid for up to 5 years before you need to apply for an extension. You must renew or update your visa when it expires or if you change employers or job roles.

Staying Longer in the UK

You can apply to extend your visa as many times as necessary, provided you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

After 5 Years

Once you have lived in the UK for 5 years under a Skilled Worker visa, you may be eligible to apply for permanent settlement (known as indefinite leave to remain). This allows you to live, work, and study in the UK indefinitely and access benefits if you qualify.

How Our Immigration Advisors Are Able To Help

Should you be interested in applying for a Skilled Worker Visas, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us through dialling +44 (0)20 7253 6888 or emailing info@ukvisapartners.com. We always endeavour to provide our clients with the highest standard of service!

UK Expansion Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility)

The UK Expansion Worker Visa is a crucial element of the UK’s immigration system, designed to help overseas businesses grow by bringing skilled senior managers and specialists to the UK. 

This visa enables businesses to send workers temporarily to establish a new UK branch or subsidiary, contributing to the company’s expansion. However, the route is only available if the UK business has not yet started trading; if it has, the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa may be more appropriate.

Eligibility for the UK Expansion Worker Visa

To be eligible for the UK Expansion Worker Visa, applicants must be at least 18 years old and currently employed by a business linked to the UK sponsor through common ownership or control. The key requirements include:

  • Valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): You must have a CoS from a licensed UK sponsor for a genuine job role.
  • Employment History: You need to have worked for the linked business outside the UK for at least 12 months, unless you are a high earner (earning £73,900 or more) or a national from Japan or Australia under special trade agreements.
  • Salary: The job you are planning to do must meet the salary threshold, which is at least £48,500 per year or the “going rate” for the occupation code.
  • Financial Requirements: You must have at least £1,270 in savings to support yourself upon arrival in the UK.
  • Skill Level: The job must be at the appropriate skill level for the visa.
  • Public Funds: You must not rely on public funds for support.
  • TB Certificate: If required, you must provide a valid tuberculosis (TB) certificate.

UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility)

A Senior or Specialist Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job at your employer’s UK branch.

Eligibility

To qualify for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa, you must:

  • be an existing employee of an organisation that’s been approved by the Home Office as a sponsor
  • have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the work you will do in the UK
  • do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
  • be paid at least £48,500 per year

How Our Immigration Advisors Are Able To Help

Should you be interested in applying for a UK Expansion Worker Visa, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us through dialling +44 (0)20 7253 6888 or emailing info@ukvisapartners.com. We always endeavour to provide our clients with the highest standard of service!

Other Work Visas:

  • UK Temporary Work Visa
    • Seasonal Worker Visa 
    • Creative Worker Visa
    • Charity Worker Visa
    • Religious Worker Visa 
    • International Agreement Visa
    • Government Authorised Exchange Visa 

Seasonal Worker Visa

Overview

The Seasonal Worker visa allows you to come to the UK to work in specific seasonal industries, including:

  • Horticulture: Work for up to 6 months, such as picking fruits, vegetables, or flowers.
  • Poultry: Work from 2 October to 31 December each year.

You must apply for poultry work by 15 November each year, while you can apply for horticulture work at any time.

Creative Work Visa

You must apply for a Temporary Work – Creative Worker visa if:

  • You’ve been offered a role in the UK as a creative worker.
  • You meet all other eligibility requirements.

A creative worker refers to individuals working in creative industries, such as actors, dancers, musicians, or film crew members.

Charity Worker Visa

You can apply for a Temporary Work – Charity Worker visa if:

  • You plan to do unpaid voluntary work for a registered charity in the UK.
  • You meet all other eligibility requirements.

Religious Worker Visa

You can apply for a Temporary Work – Religious Worker visa if:

  • You intend to engage in religious work in a non-pastoral role or within a religious order in the UK.
  • You meet all the relevant eligibility requirements.

International Agreement Visa

You can apply for a Temporary Work – International Agreement visa if:

  • You’ll be working in the UK under a role covered by international law or a treaty. This includes:
    • Employment with an overseas government or recognised international organisation.
    • Working as a private servant in a diplomatic household.

Government Authorised Exchange Visa

You can apply for a Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange visa if you:

  • Plan to come to the UK for a short-term work experience, training, research, a fellowship, or participate in an Overseas Government Language Programme under an approved government authorised exchange scheme.
  • Have a sponsor who can support your application.
  • Meet the other eligibility requirements.

How Our Immigration Advisors Are Able To Help

Should you be interested in applying for any of the Temporary Work Visas, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us through dialling +44 (0)20 7253 6888 or emailing info@ukvisapartners.com. We always endeavour to provide our clients with the highest standard of service.