Sponsor License UK
Expert guidance on obtaining and managing your
UK Sponsor Licence. OISC Level 3 regulated
advisers helping UK employers hire international
talent legally and compliantly.
What is a Sponsor License
A Sponsor Licence is a legal permission granted
by the Home Office that allows UK employers to
hire workers from outside the UK under the
Points Based Immigration System.
Without a valid Sponsor Licence, UK companies
cannot legally employ overseas nationals under
the Skilled Worker route. The licence is the
first and most important step in international
recruitment.
Once granted, your company will be listed on
the official UK Government Register of Licensed
Sponsors and assigned either an A-rating or
B-rating. Sponsor Licences are valid for 4 years.
Who Can Apply?
✅ Genuine Organisation
You must be a genuine and legitimate
organisation operating lawfully
in the UK.
✅ HR Systems in Place
You must have adequate HR and
recruitment systems to meet your
sponsorship duties.
✅ Genuine Employment
You must be able to offer genuine
employment meeting skill level and
salary requirements.
✅ Good Character
Your organisation must be honest,
dependable and not a threat to
immigration control.
Sponsor License Fees 2026
Home Office Application Fees:
Small Sponsors (charitable status included):
• Annual turnover £10.2 million or less
• Total assets £5.1 million or less
• 50 employees or fewer
Fee: £1,476
Medium & Large Sponsors:
Fee: £1,476 (updated 2024 fee structure)
Note: Fees are subject to change by the
Home Office. Meralis will confirm current
fees at your consultation.
Processing Time:
Standard processing takes up to 8 weeks.
Priority service available for faster decisions.
Your Responsibilities as a Sponsor
Once you hold a Sponsor Licence, you must:
• Keep accurate records of all sponsored workers
• Monitor sponsored workers’ attendance
and immigration status
• Report any changes to the Home Office
within required timeframes
• Ensure all sponsored roles meet skill
and salary requirements
• Cooperate fully with UKVI compliance visits
• Only assign Certificates of Sponsorship
for genuine vacancies
Failure to meet these duties can result in
your licence being downgraded, suspended
or revoked — putting your business and
sponsored workers at serious risk.
How Meralis Can Help
• Full Sponsor Licence application preparation
• Eligibility assessment before you apply
• HR systems review and compliance advice
• Key personnel guidance — Authorising
Officer, Key Contact and Level 1 Users
• Ongoing compliance support after approval
• Sponsor Licence renewal assistance
• Response to Home Office requests
for further information
Are you Ready to Apply for a Sponsor license?
Book a free online consultation with our OISC regulated
advisers. We’ll assess your eligibility and guide
you through every step of the application