I-Migrator

UK Sponsor Licence: the complete guide for employers.

Everything you need to apply for, manage and maintain a UK sponsor licence, from route information through to ongoing compliance.

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Last updated: 19 April 2026

What a UK sponsor licence is.

A UK sponsor licence is Home Office authorisation that lets your organisation hire overseas workers on sponsored routes such as Skilled Worker, Temporary Worker and Global Business Mobility. Without it, you cannot legally employ a worker who needs a sponsored visa.

The system places real responsibility on employers: as a licensed sponsor you must report certain changes to the Home Office within set timeframes, keep the required records, run right-to-work checks, and make sure every sponsored role is a genuine, eligible one.

Since 6 April 2024, sponsor licences no longer expire on a fixed cycle. The old four-year renewal was removed, and a licence stays valid for as long as you keep meeting the requirements. That makes ongoing compliance more important than ever.

Information only. General information about sponsor licences. For advice on your own case, speak to one of our immigration solicitors.
Key facts

Costs and timelines at a glance.

Application fee (Worker licence, small or charitable sponsor)
£611
Application fee (Worker licence, any other sponsor)
£1,682
Application fee (Temporary Worker licence, any size)
£611
Standard processing
under 8 weeks
Priority processing
~10 working days
Licence validity
no fixed expiry
Key personnel required
AO + Key Contact + L1 user
Certificate of Sponsorship (Worker route)
£525
Immigration Skills Charge (small or charitable sponsor, first 12 months)
£480
Immigration Skills Charge (small or charitable sponsor, each further 6 months)
£240
Immigration Skills Charge (any other sponsor, first 12 months)
£1,320
Immigration Skills Charge (any other sponsor, each further 6 months)
£660

Fees are from the current Home Office schedule. Always verify current fees on gov.uk.

Explore the guides.

Before you apply

Can You Sponsor This Employee in the UK?

Check visa eligibility before you apply — a practical guide for employers considering sponsorship.

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What Does a UK Sponsor Licence Actually Cost in 2026?

Full breakdown of licence fees, CoS costs, the Immigration Skills Charge, and total sponsorship expenses.

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The application

Complete Guide to the UK Sponsor Licence (2026)

Everything employers need to know about applying for and managing a UK sponsor licence.

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Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): A Practical Guide

How to request, assign, and manage Certificates of Sponsorship for your workers.

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After your licence

Home Office Sponsor Licence Audit: What to Expect

Prepare for a Home Office compliance visit — what they check, how it works, and how to pass.

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UK Sponsor Licence Audits in 2026: What the Home Office Is Checking

How Home Office enforcement has changed in 2026 and what sponsors need to prepare for.

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Sponsor Licence vs EOR vs Contractor: Which Is Best?

Compare your options for hiring international talent in the UK — sponsorship, employer of record, or contractor.

Explore →
How much does a UK sponsor licence cost?
A Worker licence is £611 for a small or charitable sponsor and £1,682 for any other. A Temporary Worker licence is £611 whatever your size. Beyond that, budget for a Certificate of Sponsorship (£525 per worker on Worker routes), the Immigration Skills Charge (£480 or £1,320 for the first 12 months, then £240 or £660 for each further 6 months, by sponsor type), and optional priority processing (£750).
How long does it take to get a sponsor licence?
Most standard applications are decided in under 8 weeks. A priority service is available for faster decisions (around 10 working days for an extra £750), subject to availability.
Does a sponsor licence expire?
Since 6 April 2024, sponsor licences no longer have a fixed expiry. The four-year renewal was removed. A licence stays valid for as long as you keep meeting the requirements. UK Expansion Worker and Scale-up licences are exceptions: they last four years and cannot be renewed.
Can a small business get a sponsor licence?
Yes. There is no minimum company size. Businesses of all sizes can apply, and small or charitable organisations pay the lower application fee (£611 vs £1,682). UKVI will assess your systems, compliance history and the genuineness of the role.
What are the main duties of a licensed sponsor?
Report certain changes to the Home Office within set timeframes, keep the required records, comply with immigration and wider UK law, carry out right-to-work checks, and never recoup sponsorship fees from workers.
What is the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa?
The general threshold is £41,700 a year, or the going rate for the occupation code, whichever is higher. Reduced thresholds apply for roles on the Immigration Salary List and for new entrants.

Working on a sponsor licence application?

Use the workspace to stay audit-ready. Our immigration solicitors can prepare and submit the application itself.

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