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Employer Sponsorship Licence

All UK employers wishing to hire an employee from outside of the European Union must have an Employer Sponsorship Licence under the new points-based system for UK Immigration.

Employers must have an Employer Sponsorship Licence to employ workers from outside of the European Union. Companies without an employer sponsorship licence will be unable to bring in new non-EU migrant workers to the UK or extend the work permits of current employees.

Employer Sponsorship Licence and the Tier 2 Work Permit

The Employer Sponsorship Licence is required by any employer looking to hire a worker through the Tier 2 Work Permit programme.

Employer Sponsorship for UK Business

The new requirement for employers to be licensed to hire migrants shifts some of the burden of responsibility from the Home Office to the employers. 

Businesses in the UK will now be responsible for:

• Ensuring that they are licensed to hire migrants and comply with current immigration regulations.
• Issuing certificates to foreign workers to allow the worker to apply for entry clearance to the UK.
• Ensuring that any foreign workers employed by the business are fully compliant with UK immigration law.

 Learn more about the Employer Sponsorship Licence responsibilities.

The Home Office will conduct spot checks on UK employers who hire foreign workers. Under the new UK immigration system, employers found to be in violation of their licence or with workers who are not compliant with UK immigration law may face criminal penalties.

Employers are responsible for the immigration status of the foreign workers they employ.

 Learn More about applying for an Employer Sponsorship Licence and the penalties for non-compliance.

For more information about the Employee Sponsorship Licence:

• Download the Employer Sponsorship Licence Information Package.