Hiring international talent can be a growth lever for UK businesses, but it usually starts with one key requirement: A Sponsor Licence.

A Sponsor Licence allows a UK-based employer to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) so overseas nationals can apply under routes like the Skilled Worker visa and other sponsored work routes.

Who needs a Sponsor Licence?

You typically need a Sponsor Licence if you’re a UK-based employer planning to hire employees from overseas, or if you want to sponsor certain migrants already in the UK who are eligible to switch into a sponsored work route.

In other words, if the role and candidate need sponsorship to work lawfully in the UK, the employer needs the licence before issuing the CoS.

If you want the full step-by-step checklist (including document standards and submission tips), here’s the detailed reference page: UK Sponsor Licence application guide for employers

Sponsor Licence fees (what to budget)

UK Sponsor Licence application fees vary by licence type and by whether the organisation is classed as small/charitable or medium/large.
The SmartMove2UK “UK Home Office immigration and nationality fees” breakdown shows that from The Worker sponsor licence fee is £574 for small sponsors and £1,579 for large sponsors.
That same table shows Temporary Worker sponsor licence fees increase to £574 from 9 April 2025.
It also lists the fee to add a Worker licence to an existing Temporary Worker licence as £1,005 for medium/large sponsors.

To avoid paying the wrong amount, confirm whether you qualify as a “small sponsor” first: you’re usually small if at least 2 apply - turnover of £10.2m or less, total assets of £5.1m or less, and fewer than 50 employees.

How to apply (clear, employer-friendly steps)

The application is submitted online, and you’ll also need to send the submission sheet plus supporting documents as part of the process.

The SmartMove2UK highlights that you should read the conditions and required format carefully to reduce delays or refusals.

Supporting affidavits or statutory declarations must be witnessed by a qualified independent person, such as a solicitor, notary public, justice of the peace, or commissioner for oaths.

Documents can be scanned/photographed and submitted as JPEG, PDF, or PNG, and files should have descriptive names with 25 characters or less and be clear/high-quality.

Compliance: where applications succeed or fail

Beyond forms and fees, applications often hinge on whether the business can prove it is “genuine” and capable of meeting sponsor duties.

The SmartMove2UK notes UKVI may consider the organisation’s history, HR policies, operational capability, key personnel, and whether the roles offered meet appropriate skill and salary levels.
They also note UKVI may review immigration history and criminal background for the organisation and key personnel, so consistency and transparency matter.

Once licensed, sponsors must meet ongoing responsibilities like right-to-work checks, record-keeping (including Appendix D-style retention), monitoring attendance, keeping contact details updated, and reporting relevant changes to UKVI (for example ownership/address/key personnel changes).

You also need to appoint and manage key SMS roles: Authorising Officer, Key Contact, and Level 1 User (and one person can hold more than one role).

The SmartMove2UK is a UK immigration law firm supporting employers with Sponsor Licence applications, documentation, and compliance readiness.
Read the full Sponsor Licence employer guide here: UK Sponsor Licence application guide for employers