Umbrella Company Visa Sponsorship in the UK
Some employers may assume that using an umbrella company is a shortcut to bypass Home Office sponsorship rules, but that’s not how it works. In reality, most umbrella companies cannot legally sponsor visas, and relying on one without proper due diligence can lead to compliance headaches, visa refusals and even Home Office penalties. The UK’s […]
Sponsor Licence Refused or Rejected?
Applying for a sponsor licence can be a complex and challenging process, where any errors within this process can result in an application being rejected. If your sponsor licence application is refused or rejected by UKVI, this can have a hugely detrimental impact on your business operations and workforce planning. It is also likely to […]
Appendix A Sponsor Guidance: Supporting Documents
When applying for a sponsor licence, you will need to evidence to the Home Office that your organisation meets the eligibility requirements by providing certain supporting documents. Appendix A of the Sponsor Guidance sets out what these documents are. The type and number of documents as specified within Appendix A vary depending on the organisation’s […]
Sponsor Licence Number: Explained
For UK-based organisations looking to sponsor migrant 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. Equally, for migrant workers looking to work in sponsored job roles in the UK, they will first need to be assigned a […]
How To Sponsor Someone For A Work Visa
UK-based employers will typically need to have a valid licence to sponsor someone for a work visa in the UK In this guide, we take a practical look at the rules on sponsoring overseas workers, the eligibility requirements you’ll need to meet and the process to make an application for a sponsorship licence. What […]
Sponsor Licence Cooling Off Period
The sponsor licence cooling off period refers to a mandatory waiting period that applies to UK employers in certain situations, including after a licence is revoked, suspended, or an application is refused. Its purpose is to give employers time to address any issues before attempting to apply for or regain a sponsor licence. The standard […]
Sponsor Licence Application Fee: Employers’ Guide
The sponsor licence application fee is a mandatory cost that UK employers must pay when applying for a licence to sponsor skilled workers from overseas. The fee is determined by the size and type of the organisation and is paid as part of the application process to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Sponsoring skilled overseas […]
Sponsor Licence Priority Service: Fast-Track Guide
Applying for a sponsor licence is a complex and time-consuming process. If your organisation urgently needs to recruit, and perhaps already has a candidate lined up for sponsorship, time may not be on your side. In these circumstances, the option to pay for fast-tracked licence application processing can make business sense. The Sponsor Licence Priority […]
Immigration Skills Charge Guide 2025
The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is payable by employers each time they sponsor a worker under the Skilled Worker or the Senior or Specialist Worker visa, with limited exemptions. The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is a fee imposed on UK employers who sponsor skilled workers from overseas under certain visa routes, such as the Skilled Worker […]
How Long to Get a UK Sponsorship Licence?
When applying for a sponsor licence, it’s helpful for employers to understand how long it takes for applications to be processed. This is useful insight for recruitment planning when hiring candidates from overseas. If there are delays with obtaining your sponsor licence, you risk losing your candidate, as they may decide to pursue an opportunity […]