Are you an employer looking to hire talented individuals from overseas?

The UK sponsor licence system might be the key to unlocking a global pool of skilled professionals. This guide provides a clear breakdown of the two main sponsor licence categories – Worker and Temporary Worker – to empower your sponsorship journey.

Sponsor Licence Services can take care of all of this for you – but we are happy to share the facts, to equip you to make a decision.

Worker Sponsor Licence: Attract Top Talent

The Worker licence caters to a diverse range of skilled workers, including:

• Skilled Workers: Employers can sponsor non-UK citizens for eligible positions meeting specific skill and salary thresholds.
• Senior or Specialist Workers (Global Business Mobility): This route facilitates the transfer of experienced employees within multinational companies to the UK.
• Ministers of Religion: This visa streamlines the process for religious leaders serving in the UK.
• International Sportspersons: Elite athletes and coaches can leverage this visa to contribute to their respective sports in the UK.

Obtaining a Worker Sponsor Licence: Key Requirements

To secure a Worker licence, your organization must demonstrate:

• Genuine Business: Provide documented proof of your legitimacy as outlined in Appendix A.
• Authentic Employment: The offered role must be genuine, demanding duties aligned with the required skill level. The candidate’s salary should meet or exceed the relevant threshold.
• Sponsor Duties Compliance: Possess robust HR systems to effectively manage record-keeping, monitoring, and reporting obligations as a sponsor.
• Integrity and Reliability: The UKVI will conduct background checks on key personnel involved in managing the licence.

A successful application grants a valid licence for four years, subject to renewal.

Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence: Broadening Your Workforce

The Temporary Worker licence empowers employers to sponsor overseas nationals under various visa categories:

• Scale-up Worker: Ideal for rapidly expanding businesses to recruit talent for eligible roles.
• Creative Worker: Enables international applicants to contribute to the UK’s vibrant creative scene.
• Charity Worker: Supports individuals engaging in voluntary work for recognized charities.
• Religious Worker: Designed for those assisting religious institutions in the UK.
• Government Authorised Exchange: Facilitates research or training visits under authorized exchange programs.
• International Agreement: Applicable to individuals offering services protected under international law.
• Graduate Trainee (Global Business Mobility): Streamlines the relocation of foreign graduates for managerial or specialist training within their international employer’s UK branch.
• Service Supplier (Global Business Mobility): Caters to service providers delivering contractual services under a qualifying trade agreement.
• UK Expansion Worker (Global Business Mobility): Designed for international employees establishing a UK branch or subsidiary.
• Secondment Worker (Global Business Mobility): Enables relocation of overseas employees to work on a high-value contract for a UK business.
• Seasonal Worker: Provides a path for international applicants seeking seasonal employment within the UK’s horticulture sector.

Eligibility for a Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence

Organizations applying for a Temporary Worker licence must meet specific criteria along with route-specific requirements. Generally, applicants need to:

• Demonstrate Legitimacy: Prove your organization operates lawfully in the UK with comprehensive supporting evidence.
• Earn Trustworthiness: Convince the UKVI of your ability to fulfill sponsor duties. UKVI will assess your history, background, and key personnel.
• Comply with Sponsor Duties: Possess robust HR systems for effective workforce monitoring, record-keeping, and reporting.
• Meet Route-Specific Requirements: Fulfill additional criteria specific to your chosen visa category (e.g., minimum skill and salary standards for GBM routes).

The Home Office may conduct a pre-licence site visit to evaluate your recruitment practices and HR systems.

Conclusion

Understanding the UK sponsor licence system empowers businesses to navigate the process smoothly and compliantly. By acquiring a sponsor licence, you can unlock a global pool of skilled professionals, fostering growth and innovation within your organization.

Sponsor Licence Services: Your Partner in Success

We at Sponsor Licence Services possess the expertise to guide you through the entire sponsor licence application process, from preparation and submission to assisting potential employees with their UK visa applications. Contact us today to unlock your global talent acquisition potential!