Employer Sponsorship Licence Requirements

In order to hire an employee from overseas, your business must be a licenced sponsor. To become a licensed sponsor, you must meet the following basic requirements:

You must be a genuine organisation (such as a corporation or a limited-liability partnership), or a sole trader.
You must be operating legally in the United Kingdom.
There must be no evidence that your organisation or key personnel could present a threat to UK immigration control (for example, by having a history of immigration violations).
You must nominate at least three staff members to fulfil the immigration-related roles in your organisation: an Authorising Officer, a Key Contact and a Level 1 User.
You must be able to meet your responsibilities as a sponsor, which is judged by ensuring that you have effective HR systems.
You must supply the Home Office will all documents requested.
Meet any other requirements for the specific immigration tier under which your prospective employee is working.

Need advice? Visit our UK Employer Sponsorship sub-site for more information and to start the application process

Please note that successfully receiving a sponsorship licence and being placed on the register of sponsors does not guarantee that the employees you choose will be given permission to enter or stay in the UK.

Employees must meet the requirements for their visa and entry clearance, and remain compliant with the conditions of their stay.

For more information about the Employee Sponsorship Licence:

Download the Employer Sponsorship Licence Information Package.

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.