Most employers need a sponsor licence before they can recruit someone from outside the UK on a sponsored route, including for unpaid roles such as running a charity. The application is only the start: a licence comes with continuing duties.
Information checked against the sources listed below on 10 October 2026. Rules, fees and thresholds change; this is general information, not advice on your case, and does not assess whether you qualify.
What the official guidance says.
- GOV.UK says employers usually need a sponsor licence to employ someone from outside the UK. Irish citizens and people with settled status or indefinite leave to remain generally do not need sponsorship, and sponsorship does not guarantee a visa.
- Applying involves checking that your business is eligible and the job is suitable, choosing the licence type for the worker you want to sponsor, deciding who will manage sponsorship, then applying online and paying the fee.
- UK Visas and Immigration may visit your business to check it is suitable.
- Licence types depend on the worker you want to sponsor. Licences for Scale-up Workers and UK Expansion Workers last 4 years, and you cannot apply for another licence to sponsor these workers.
- Once licensed, you can issue certificates of sponsorship for jobs suitable for sponsorship.
- You may lose your licence if you do not meet your sponsor responsibilities.
- Education providers that want to sponsor international students apply for the relevant licence type, which GOV.UK sets out in its types of licence guidance.
What usually decides the outcome.
- Whether your business is eligible, and which licence type fits the roles you plan to fill.
- Who will be your authorising officer and key contacts, and whether they are suitable.
- Whether your HR systems and record keeping are ready for a compliance visit.
- Whether the roles you plan to fill meet the route’s requirements.
How we can help.
Depending on what you need, support can range from a first conversation to full representation. Ask for the scope of any work, and an explanation of our fees and separate government charges, in writing before you instruct the firm.
- Initial consultation and eligibility assessment. A conversation about your circumstances, the routes that may apply and the risks.
- Written advice and immigration planning. A considered view on your options and a plan that looks ahead to extensions, settlement or citizenship.
- Document and application checking. A review of an application or evidence you have prepared, before you submit it.
- Full application preparation and representation. Preparing and submitting the application, and dealing with the Home Office on your behalf.
- Responses to Home Office requests. Help answering requests for further information, interviews or evidence.
- Refusal analysis and next steps. Understanding why an application failed and whether to seek review, appeal, judicial review or make a fresh application.
- Ongoing business immigration support. Continuing help for employers with sponsorship, reporting, record keeping and right-to-work compliance.
Before you contact us
- Write a short summary of your circumstances and what you want to achieve.
- Note any decision dates, expiry dates or deadlines.
- Do not send passport numbers or sensitive documents in the first enquiry. We will explain how to share them securely.
Common questions.
Sources.
Related information.
Business immigrationSponsor licenceSponsoring employeesSponsor management and complianceSponsor licence suspension and revocationMergers, acquisitions and restructuringGlobal Business MobilityInnovator Founder visaRight-to-work checks and illegal workingHealth and Care Worker visaScale-up Worker visaAll services