UK Register of Licensed Sponsors: Guide 2026
Section A: What is the UK Register of Licensed Sponsors? The UK Register of Licensed Sponsors (Workers) is an official list published by the UK Home Office, detailing all organisations that have been granted permission to sponsor foreign nationals under the UK’s points-based immigration system. Organisations seeking to hire foreign nationals must first […]
Sponsor Licence Renewal? 2026 Rules
Section A: Sponsor Licence Renewal Rules 2026 The UK’s approach to sponsor licence renewal underwent a major change on 6 April 2024. Prior to that date, all sponsor licences were issued with a four-year validity period, and sponsors were required to apply for a renewal before the licence expired in order to continue […]
SMS Level 1 User: Role & Responsibilities
Section A: What is an SMS Level 1 User? An SMS Level 1 User is an individual authorised by a sponsor licence holder to carry out operational sponsorship tasks through the Sponsor Management System (SMS). The role sits at the centre of day-to-day licence administration and is the mechanism through which most sponsor […]
Immigration Skills Charge 2026 | Cost, Who Pays & Exemptions
Section A: What is the Immigration Skills Charge? The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is a fee payable by most UK employers when sponsoring workers under either the Skilled Worker or the Senior or Specialist Worker visas, with limited exemptions. It was introduced on 6 April 2017 under the Immigration Skills Charge Regulations to address […]
UK Tier 2 Sponsor List Explained 2026
Section A: What is the Tier 2 Sponsor List? A sponsor licence is the permission needed for UK organisations to hire foreign national workers under specific visa categories, such as the Skilled Worker visa (formerly the Tier 2 Visa). The Home Office maintains the list of sponsors to identify all employers that have […]
UKVI Action Plan: 2026 Sponsor Guide
Section A: What is a UKVI Sponsor Action Plan? As a Home Office approved employer with a sponsor licence, your organisation will be placed on the national register of sponsors, and you’ll be given a licence rating. You’ll automatically get an A-rated licence if your application is approved. An A-rated licence will allow […]
Scale Up Sponsor Licence Guide 2026
Section A: What is the Scale Up Sponsor Licence? The Scale Up Sponsor Licence is the permission needed by UK employers from the Home Office to sponsor workers under the Scale Up route. Technically, there is no separate category called a ‘Scale-up sponsor licence’ in the UK immigration system. The Scale-up route sits […]
Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence | How to Apply 2026
Section A: What is the Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence? Employers often refer to a “Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence”, but there is no stand-alone licence under that name. The Home Office issues two main types of sponsor licence: the Worker sponsor licence and the Temporary Worker sponsor licence. Global Business Mobility (GBM) […]
UK Self Sponsorship Visa Guide 2026
Section A: What is a Self Sponsorship Visa? ‘Self Sponsorship visa’ in the UK is a general term used to describe an immigration route that allows foreign nationals to sponsor themselves to work through their own business, without needing a traditional employer to sponsor them. This is done by acquiring or setting up […]
Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence Guide 2026
Section A: What is a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence? The Skilled Worker visa (previously known as the Tier 2 General) remains the main route for employing overseas skilled professionals under the UK’s points‑based system. A sponsor licence is required by a UK employer to sponsor non-UK resident workers under the Skilled Worker route. This […]