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Skilled Worker Sponsorship Licence

- SEE EXPLANATORY VIDEO BELOW

Every UK Employer (the 'Sponsor') who wishes to hire a migrant employee, is required to apply for Sponsor Licence. Sponsor may choose to apply for a licence in a particular category such as Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility, etc. or in all categories, provided they are able to justify the need.

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(Migrant is any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, i.e. he/she is not British or European(including Eu EU Family member) with Pre-settled or Settled Status or Settled in the UK. The migrant may be within the UK or outside the UK)

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We help businesses and corporates with the whole Sponsor Licensing process from start to finish. We always come up in the search for a Sponsor Licence Solicitor in London.

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 In order to apply for the Sponsor Licence, the following requirements must be met:

Sponsor must be:

  • a Genuine, Active, Trading and Legal organisation (either Company or Partnership or Sole Trader) in the UK

  • able to nominate either one individual ('senior employee') or several individuals to act as the Authorising Officer, Key Personnel and Level 1 User, who will be responsible to the UK Home Office for the compliances, etc.

  • have no history of breach the UK Immigration laws

  • able to keep proper Human Resource records of all the sponsored migrants

Sponsor's Duties:

  • Report to UK Home Office if the migrant does not turn up for work without permission for a significant period of time

  • Maintain records of all the sponsored migrants such as contact details and copy of their biometric residence permit (BRP)

  • Provide UK Home Office with any documents as requested

  • Duty to act honestly in any dealings with Home Office

Categories of Sponsorships:

  • Skilled Worker

  • Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

  • Minister of Religion visa (T2)

  • International Sportsperson visa

 Skilled Worker:

  • There must be a Genuine Vacancy to hire the migrant

  • Visa for any period between 6 months to 5 years, usually employers prefer to sponsor for either 3 or 5 years, can be extended for a maximum of 6 years. The total visa fees will increase in proportion to the duration of the visa

  • If the Migrant is not living in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, then the Migrant should have GBP 1270 in savings held for at least 28 days, alternatively, the Sponsor can certify maintenance in the Certificate of Sponsorship

  • Migrant must meet the English language requirement, see details at: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/knowledge-of-english

Intra Company Transfer:

  • Multinational companies wishing to transfer employees to their UK branch

  • There should be a direct link between the Company outside the UK and their UK branch, either by Common Ownership or Control

  • If the Migrant is not living in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, then the Migrant should have GBP 1270 in savings held for at least 28 days, alternatively, the Sponsor can certify maintenance in the Certificate of Sponsorship

  • No English language requirement for the migrant to satisfy

  • Migrant can stay for a maximum period of:

5 years in any 6 year period - If earning less than GBP 73900 annually

9 years in any 10 year period - If earning more than GBP 73900 annually​

Ministers of Religion(T2):

  • Sponsor should be a registered, excepted or exempted charity

  • Sponsor is a faith based community with a common system of belief and spiritial goals

  • Sponsor does not encourage others to breach any UK Legislation

  • Sponsor does not work against public interest or has any detrimental effect on common man's life in the UK​

Sportsperson(T2):

  • Sponsor should be a sporting body/club or event organiser

  • Sponsor should have endorsement from Home Office Approved sports governing body for the particular sport

Examples of Documents required to apply for Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence:

  • Employer's Liability Insurance document

  • Proof of registration with HMRC as self-employed

  • Statement of Account - SA300 or SA302

  • Proof of registration with HMRC as an employer to pay PAYE and National Insurance

  • Latest Notice to file a Company Tax Return - CT603 & Company Tax Return - CT600 both parts must be supplied

  • Evidence of registration with the regulatory body

  • If the Local Authority requires you to obtain planning permission to operate your type/class of business, copy of such permission

  • If the business is required to register for VAT as per their turnover, then VAT registration certificate

  • Business Bank Statements or a letter from Bank stating the nature and duration of the Sponsor's dealings with the Bank

  • Business Premises lease or ownership documents

  • Licence to serve alcohol, if applicable

Sponsor Licence Processing time:

UK Home Office takes about 3 to 6  weeks from the date of application depending upon how busy the UKVI department is, to process the application.

Sponsor Licence Validity:

Sponsor Licence is valid for 4 years

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