A practical step-by-step guide for UK employers to hire international talent legally and compliantly.
Everything your business needs to apply, stay compliant, and hire global talent.
Presented by:
Stay UK Immigration Services
www.stay-uk.co.uk
Welcome & Who This Is For
Hiring from abroad? You need a Sponsor Licence from the Home Office. This guide helps:
Small and mid-sized UK companies
HR teams and recruitment leads
Care homes, tech firms, hospitality businesses
Inside, you’ll learn:
- If your company is eligible
- How to apply successfully
- How to stay compliant
What to avoid to prevent fines or refusals
Who Needs a Sponsor Licence?
You need a sponsor licence if:
- You want to hire non-UK nationals under a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa
- Your roles are on the eligible occupation list
- You want to expand your talent pool globally
Industries commonly affected:
- Healthcare & Social Care
- IT & Engineering
- Construction
- Hospitality
- Education
Sponsor Licence Eligibility Checklist
Your business is a legally registered UK company
You have no history of immigration violations
You have a genuine need to hire international workers
You have proper HR systems to monitor employees
You can provide genuine and legal job roles
Required Documents
Typical documents needed (varies by company type):
- Certificate of Incorporation
- VAT registration certificate
- Business bank statement (last 3 months)
- Employer’s liability insurance (minimum £5 million)
- PAYE reference numbers
- Lease or mortgage documents for business premises
- Job descriptions with salary levels
- Sample employment contracts
- HR compliance policies
Application Process
- Review eligibility and gather documents
- Apply online via the UKVI sponsorship portal
- Pay the application fee:
- £536 (small or charitable business)
- £1,476 (medium or large business)
- Prepare for Home Office inspection
- If approved:
- Get your Licence Rating (A or B)
- Receive access to Sponsor Management System (SMS)
- Assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to workers
Processing time: 8 weeks (standard)
Priority processing: 10 working days (optional extra fee)
After Approval – Compliance Essentials
As a sponsor, your duties include:
- Keeping updated records of migrant workers
- Reporting worker absences, changes, or contract termination
- Preventing illegal working
- Renewing your sponsor licence every 4 years
- Cooperating with Home Office audits
Failure to comply can lead to:
- Revocation of your licence
- Fines up to £20,000 per illegal worker
- Reputational damage
Top Reasons for Sponsor Licence Refusal
🔻 Incomplete or incorrect documentation
🔻 No proof of genuine vacancies
🔻 Poor or nonexistent HR systems
🔻 Previous immigration breaches
🔻 Application made without legal guidance
Bonus Tools & Free Support
BONUS
- Sponsor Licence Readiness Checklist
- Sample Job Offer Letter Template
- Interview Questions for Home Office Visit