Sponsor Licence Number Explained

Section A: What is a sponsor licence number?

A sponsor licence number (SLN) is a unique number allocated by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to an approved sponsor licence holder. UKVI is the department of the Home Office responsible for decisions on both sponsor licence and visa applications.

For UK-based organisations looking to sponsor foreign national workers, they will first need to be allocated a unique sponsor licence number before being able to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to new sponsored workers.

Having made an application to UKVI for a sponsor licence, and provided that application is successful, UKVI will notify the applicant organisation in its decision letter of the maximum number of CoS the sponsor can assign to sponsored workers, and their sponsor licence number.

The sponsor licence number is unique to the sponsoring organisation. It is tied to the licence-holder and is not transferable if the business changes structure or ownership.

Section B: When do you use a sponsor licence number?

A sponsor licence number must be quoted in all communications with UKVI, typically by either the Authorising Officer (AO) or Key Contact (KC). When applying for a sponsor licence, the applicant organisation will be required to nominate certain key personnel to manage the sponsorship process and liaise with UKVI, including an AO and KC. The AO and KC must not have unspent criminal convictions for immigration offences or other specified crimes, must not be subject to a bankruptcy restriction order, and must usually be based in the UK. They must also not be subject to immigration control unless they are a settled worker or have indefinite leave to remain.

The person nominated to the role of AO must be the most senior person in the applicant organisation responsible for the recruitment of foreign national workers and for ensuring that the sponsor meets all of its duties. The KC is usually the person who acts as the main contact between the sponsoring organisation and UKVI, although UKVI may also contact the AO, if necessary, both before and after the grant of the licence. It is therefore important that both the AO and KC are aware of the sponsor licence number once the licence has been granted, and the need to quote this when corresponding with UKVI during the validity of the licence.

In many cases, the AO and KC will be one in the same person, although different people can be appointed to these roles, provided they are paid members of staff or office-holders, and meet the various other qualifying requirements under the specific rules for key personnel.

Once licensed, the organisation will be given access to the sponsorship management system (SMS), where the AO and/or KC may also be nominated as the initial SMS Level 1 User, although again a different person can be appointed to this role. The SMS is a secure online portal allowing the licence holder to carry out its day-to-day sponsor activities, including creating and assigning CoS to workers, as well as managing its licence. This can also be used to report any changes to UKVI, such as a change of address or any change in the circumstances of sponsored workers, including withdrawal of sponsorship.

Only the SMS Level 1 User named on the licence application will be granted access to the system at the outset. This individual can then appoint additional SMS users, including Level 1 and Level 2 Users, where Level 2 Users have fewer permissions when using the SMS. The AO and KC will not automatically be granted access to the SMS, where they will need to be set up as either a Level 1 or Level 2 User if they would like to use the online system.

All SMS users must be based in the UK unless UKVI has granted written permission otherwise. Only Level 1 Users have the authority to add or remove other users.

In addition to the SLN, UKVI may also provide a case reference number in correspondence, which should be recorded and cross-referenced in the organisation’s internal records.

Section C: How to apply for a sponsor licence number

To be eligible for a sponsor licence number, the applicant organisation must meet various general requirements, together with several route-specific requirements depending on the category of worker it is looking to recruit. In most cases, the organisation must be able to satisfy UKVI that it is a genuine business operating lawfully in the UK, and in all cases, UKVI must also be satisfied that it is both trustworthy and capable of carrying out its sponsorship duties.

UKVI will carefully consider the organisation’s history and background, including that of the key personnel named on the licence application and those involved with the day-to-day running of the business. This will include evidence of any criminal convictions and previous non-compliance with the UK’s Immigration Rules, as well as any other evidence which may suggest that these individuals are not honest, dependable and reliable.

The applicant must also be able to meet the requirements of the relevant route on which it is applying to be a sponsor. This includes being able to offer genuine employment for any route-specific role in the UK, where the role in question must meet any minimum skill and salary requirements. The genuine vacancy test is applied strictly, particularly under the Skilled Worker and GBM Senior or Specialist Worker routes. Employers must provide evidence that the vacancy is not created to facilitate migration and that it matches the organisation’s recruitment needs.

UKVI may undertake a pre-licence site visit or a desktop audit to assess the organisation’s recruitment practices and HR systems, typically if there are concerns over its ability to comply with sponsorship duties. Essentially, UKVI must be satisfied that the organisation will be able to monitor its sponsored workforce, comply with reporting and record-keeping obligations, and will not pose a threat to immigration control.

To apply for a sponsor licence number, the organisation must register its details with UKVI, complete an online application form, and pay the relevant fee. Before applying, it must ensure that it is eligible for sponsorship under the relevant route and has in place the necessary documents, including those set out in Appendix A of the online sponsor guidance. Government guidance on applying for a sponsor licence can be found under Part 1 of the guidance for Workers and Temporary Workers. Once ready to sponsor workers, the organisation should also refer to Part 2 of the guidance on sponsoring Worker and Temporary Workers, as well as the relevant route-specific guidance.

The Authorising Officer (AO) will be responsible for managing the application, including signing and dating the end submission sheet. This sheet, together with all supporting documentation, must be emailed or posted to UKVI within 5 working days of submitting the online application. Having completed the online application, paid the fee, and submitted all supporting documents, UKVI will review the application. The standard processing time is usually up to 8 weeks, although it can take longer if a pre-licence audit or site visit is required or additional documentation is requested.

A limited priority processing service is available for an additional £500, which, if granted, can reduce the processing time to 10 working days. Places are released daily on a first-come, first-served basis. If the application is successful, a sponsor licence number will be allocated and the licence-holder will then be able to issue Certificates of Sponsorship to qualifying visa applicants.

Section D: How do you check an organisation’s sponsor licence number?

It will not generally be possible to check an organisation’s sponsor licence number, although those looking for sponsored job roles can search the online register of sponsors at GOV.UK. This is a list of organisations licensed to sponsor workers in the UK, where an organisation will be added to this list having been approved for a sponsor licence.

The Register of Licensed Sponsors is updated daily, usually overnight. UKVI does not publish a separate list of suspended sponsors, so the absence of an organisation’s name from the register is the only public indicator of a suspension or revocation.

The online list of approved sponsors includes the name of the organisation and where they are based. It also includes information about the category of workers they are licensed to sponsor in the UK, on both the Worker and Temporary Worker immigration routes. The Worker routes include the Skilled Worker, T2 Minister of Religion and International Sportsperson routes. For sponsor licence purposes, the Worker route also includes the Senior or Specialist Worker route under the Global Business Mobility (GBM) umbrella. This route replaced the Intra-Company Transfer route from 11 April 2022.

The Temporary Worker routes, on the other hand, are for several different short-term roles across a range of industry sectors. These include the Creative Worker, Charity Worker, Religious Worker, Government Authorised Exchange Worker, International Agreement Worker and Seasonal Worker routes. The Temporary Worker routes also include the remaining immigration routes under the GBM umbrella, including the Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker routes, as well as the Scale-up route.

Section E: Is a sponsor licence number the same as a CoS number?

A sponsor licence number is not the same as a CoS number. The sponsor licence number is the unique number allocated to an organisation as an approved sponsor. In contrast, a CoS number is the unique reference number set out in the electronic certificate assigned to each sponsored worker by their sponsor. This is the number that each individual worker will need to use when making an online application for a visa having been offered a sponsored role.

To be assigned a valid CoS number, a prospective new recruit must be offered a suitable job role that meets the specific requirements for the route in question. For example, when applying as a Skilled Worker, the sponsor (via the SMS-user responsible for creating and assigning the CoS) must be satisfied that the role meets the minimum skill and salary requirements for that route. They must also be satisfied that the worker is suitably qualified for that role. Under the guidance for sponsoring Skilled Workers, to be valid, a CoS must not only confirm the applicant’s name, but that they are being sponsored as a Skilled Worker, as well as details of the job and salary the sponsor is offering them.

Having been assigned a valid CoS number, the worker must use this number to apply for a visa within 3 months. In addition to having been assigned a valid sponsorship certificate, the worker applying for a visa will also need to meet a number of route-specific requirements to be eligible for a visa on their chosen route.

Section F: How do you find a UK employer with a sponsor licence number?

To find a UK-based employer with a valid sponsor licence number, a search can easily be undertaken of the online ‘Register of licensed sponsors: workers’ at GOV.UK. When it comes to the type of sponsor sought, whether this is a sponsor on the Worker or Temporary Worker routes will depend on the nature of the job role. However, in addition to setting out which categories of worker an organisation is licensed to sponsor, including Workers or Temporary Workers, it also includes the employer’s current sponsorship rating.

When an employer is assigned a sponsor licence, they will be given a sponsorship rating. In most cases this will be an A-rating, although their licence can be downgraded to a B-rating during the validity of the licence if the employer has failed to discharge their sponsorship duties. As these sponsors will be required to comply with a UKVI action plan before being upgraded, and may be at risk of losing their licence if they fail to comply with the steps set out in that plan.

In any event, a B-rated sponsor is not allowed to assign CoS while they are subject to n UKVI action plan. For example, under the official online guidance for the Skilled Worker route, it states that a sponsor must be authorised by UKVI to sponsor the job in question under that route. The sponsor must also be listed as A-rated on the register of licensed sponsors, unless the applicant was last granted permission as a Skilled Worker and is applying to continue working for the same sponsor as in their last permission.

Section G: Need assistance?

DavidsonMorris are UK sponsor licence specialists. We provide expert advice and support to organisations when applying for, and managing, their sponsor licence, and meeting their compliance duties. For specialist guidance, contact us.

Section H: Sponsor licence number FAQs

What is a Sponsor Licence Number (SLN)?

A Sponsor Licence Number (SLN) is a unique reference issued by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to employers and educational institutions that hold a Sponsor Licence. It is required to issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) for workers and Confirmations of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for students.

Where can I find my Sponsor Licence Number?

The Sponsor Licence Number is provided in the Sponsor Licence approval letter issued by UKVI. It can also be found on the Sponsor Management System (SMS) under the organisation’s details.

Who needs a Sponsor Licence Number?

Employers hiring skilled workers from outside the UK and educational institutions recruiting international students must have a Sponsor Licence and an associated Sponsor Licence Number.

What happens if my Sponsor Licence is revoked?

If a Sponsor Licence is revoked, the organisation can no longer sponsor overseas workers or students. Sponsored individuals may need to leave the UK unless they can switch to another visa category.

Can a Sponsor Licence Number be transferred to another business?

No, a Sponsor Licence Number is unique to the organisation that holds it. If a business is acquired or undergoes a significant structural change, a new Sponsor Licence application may be required.

How do I check if an organisation has a valid Sponsor Licence?

The UK government maintains a Register of Licensed Sponsors, which lists organisations authorised to sponsor workers or students.

What are the responsibilities of a Sponsor Licence holder?

Sponsors must comply with UKVI rules, including record-keeping, reporting changes to employment or student status, and ensuring visa compliance. Failure to meet these duties can result in penalties or licence suspension.

Can a business apply for more than one Sponsor Licence?

An organisation can apply for a licence covering multiple visa routes, such as Skilled Worker and Temporary Worker visas, each with its own sponsor licence number. Within the Worker category, a single number covers all sponsored employees across eligible routes.

Section I: Glossary

Section J: Additional Resources and Links