For UK employers

Sponsor Licence Solicitor for UK Employers

I am Sajjad Hussain, a Director and immigration solicitor at Farani Taylor Solicitors, known online as LawbySajj. I advise UK employers on sponsor licence applications, supporting documents, key personnel, Skilled Worker sponsorship and Home Office compliance.

Discuss your matter View fees

Sajjad Hussain in a business meeting — Sajjad Hussain, Director and Solicitor

Sponsor licence guidance

What UK employers need to show.

Who needs a sponsor licence?

A UK organisation normally needs a Worker sponsor licence before it can sponsor someone under the Skilled Worker route. The licence belongs to the organisation, not the worker. It carries duties that continue after the application is granted.

Businesses recruiting a worker who does not already have unrestricted permission to work in the UK
Employers retaining a current employee who needs Skilled Worker sponsorship
Groups deciding which UK entity should hold the licence
Existing sponsors adding a route or checking their systems before further recruitment

Sponsor licence eligibility and suitability

UKVI considers whether the organisation is genuine and operating lawfully, whether the proposed roles are genuine, and whether the people responsible for the licence are suitable. The application should also show that the organisation can monitor sponsored workers, keep the required records and report relevant changes.

Documents for a sponsor licence application

Most organisations must provide at least four documents or specified combinations from Appendix A. The correct set depends on the organisation's type, trading history and regulatory position. The signed submission sheet and supporting documents normally must reach UKVI within five working days of the online application.

HMRC registration evidence, such as PAYE, Corporation Tax or VAT records where applicable
Latest accounts or other evidence of active trading
Employers' liability insurance with cover of at least £5 million
Evidence that the organisation owns or occupies its business premises
Information about the organisation, proposed roles and reasons for sponsorship

Key personnel and HR systems

The application identifies the Authorising Officer, Key Contact and Level 1 User who will manage the sponsor relationship. Their roles must make sense within the organisation. Before filing, I check how the employer records right to work, contact details, attendance, recruitment, salary and changes to employment.

Home Office compliance visits

UKVI may visit before or after granting a licence. Officers can test whether the application matches the organisation on the ground, interview key staff and inspect HR records. A tidy application cannot compensate for systems that do not work in practice.

The legal issue

Start with the risk, not the form.

UKVI examines whether the organisation is genuine, trading lawfully and able to carry out sponsor duties. Weak records, unclear reporting lines or the wrong supporting documents can put the application at risk.

This service is designed for

UK businesses applying for a Worker sponsor licence
Growing companies recruiting their first sponsored worker
Established sponsors adding a route or reviewing licence readiness

Work included

Initial eligibility and business structure assessment
Advice on key personnel and sponsor management roles
Tailored supporting document checklist
Review of HR systems against core sponsor duties
Preparation and submission of the online application
Legal representations and response to routine UKVI questions before decision

Not included

Attendance at a UKVI compliance visit
A full mock audit or staff training programme
Certificate of Sponsorship assignment
The worker's immigration application
Responses to suspension, downgrading or revocation action

How the work proceeds

A defined scope from instruction to decision.

Readiness review

We assess the organisation, proposed roles, key personnel and current HR records.

Evidence

You receive a tailored list and we check each document before filing.

Application

We prepare the form, submission sheet and written representations.

Decision support

We deal with routine UKVI follow-up questions under the agreed scope.

Pricing and scope

Fees you can assess before instruction.

These are London professional fee ranges. Your client care letter will confirm the fixed fee or estimate, VAT, assumptions and payment stages before work begins.

Standard sponsor licence application

The final fixed fee depends on the organisation's size, structure, HR records and proposed sponsored roles.

Professional fee: £3,500 to £5,500
VAT at 20%: £700 to £1,100
Total incl. VAT: £4,200 to £6,600

Likely third-party costs

Home Office licence fee: £611 for a small or charitable sponsor, or £1,682 for a large sponsor
Optional Home Office priority fee: £750, if available
Translation or specialist HR advice, if required, quoted before instruction

Government and provider charges can change. We confirm the current amount before payment and do not add a mark-up to a true disbursement.

Typical timing

Preparation usually takes 2 to 4 weeks once complete records are supplied. GOV.UK states that most applications are dealt with in less than 8 weeks. An optional priority service aims for a decision within 10 working days where a slot is available. A UKVI compliance visit or request for further evidence may extend the time.

Request a written quote

Questions clients ask

Before you instruct.

Is the Home Office fee included?

No. It is paid to the Home Office and is shown separately from our professional fee.

Will you guarantee the licence?

No solicitor can guarantee a Home Office decision. We prepare the application, identify weaknesses and advise on the evidence required.

Does the fee include sponsoring a worker?

No. Certificate assignment and the worker's visa application are separate services because the work and government charges depend on the proposed role and visa length.

Is it called a sponsor licence or a sponsorship licence?

Sponsor licence is the term used by the Home Office. Employers often search for sponsorship licence, but both phrases usually refer to the permission an organisation needs before sponsoring eligible workers.

How long does a sponsor licence application take?

GOV.UK states that most applications are dealt with in less than 8 weeks. Preparation time comes first, and UKVI enquiries or a compliance visit may extend the overall period.

What documents are needed for a sponsor licence?

Most organisations must provide at least four documents or specified combinations from Appendix A. The correct set depends on the organisation's type, sector, trading history and regulatory position.

Employer resources

Read before you apply.

Free sponsor licence eligibility checker

Answer 17 questions about the organisation, key personnel and proposed role before applying.

Read the guide →

Sponsor licence documents checklist

The evidence deadline, the four-document rule and the records employers commonly need.

Read the guide →

Sponsor licence eligibility guide

The organisation, role, key personnel and HR checks to make before applying.

Read the guide →

Getting and keeping a sponsor licence

A practical guide to the application process and the duties that follow approval.

Read the guide →

Responding to a sponsor licence suspension

The 20-working-day response process, evidence review and possible Home Office outcomes.

Read the guide →

Page responsibility

Written by Sajjad Hussain, Solicitor. Legally reviewed by Sajjad Hussain, Solicitor. Last reviewed 1 September 2026.

Legal work is undertaken through Farani Taylor Solicitors under a separate client care letter. Prices depend on the facts and scope accepted in writing.

Apply for a sponsor licence Appendix A supporting documents Sponsor duties and compliance