Overview
The UK sponsorship application allows employers to hire foreign workers. Employers must first obtain a sponsor license, demonstrating their legitimacy and capability. They then issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the foreign worker, who uses it to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa. The visa application is assessed based on a points-based system considering salary, skill level, and English proficiency. Recent updates include the Health and Care Visa, offering reduced fees for healthcare professionals, and streamlined processes for the Skilled Worker Visa. Both employers and employees must comply with post-arrival responsibilities to ensure legal employment.
Sponsor License Application:
The Sponsorship Application route in the UK is primarily used by employers who wish to hire workers from outside the UK, including from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. The system requires employers to obtain a sponsor licence to sponsor skilled workers. Here’s an overview of this route along with the latest updates and fees as of 2024.
Key Features of the Sponsorship Application Route
Sponsor Licence:
- Eligibility: Employers must prove they are a genuine business, have appropriate systems in place to monitor sponsored employees, and have no history of immigration violations.
- Application Types:
- Worker licences (including Skilled Worker, Intra-Company Transfer, etc.)
- Temporary Worker licences (including Seasonal Worker, Youth Mobility Scheme, etc.)
Types of Worker Licences:
- Skilled Worker: For jobs meeting the skill level and salary threshold.
- Intra-Company Transfer: For multinational companies transferring employees between branches.
- Temporary Worker: For short-term work categories.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS):
- Defined CoS: For workers applying from outside the UK.
- Undefined CoS: For workers already in the UK or for extensions.
Compliance:
Sponsors must comply with immigration laws, maintain accurate records, and report significant changes (e.g., changes in job roles, employees leaving the company).
Latest Updates from the Home Office (2024)
Digital Right to Work Checks:
Introduction of digital right-to-work checks for all foreign workers, simplifying and expediting the verification process.
Streamlined Application Process:
Enhanced online application system to reduce processing times and administrative burden on employers.
Updated Fees:
Worker License:
- Small or Charitable Sponsors: £536
- Medium or Large Sponsors: £1,476
Temporary Worker License:
- All Sponsors: £536
Combined Worker and Temporary Worker License:
- Small or Charitable Sponsors: £536
- Medium or Large Sponsors: £1,476
Immigration Skills Charge:
- £364 per year per worker for small or charitable sponsors
- £1,000 per year per worker for medium or large sponsors
Compliance Visits:
Increased frequency of compliance visits to ensure adherence to sponsorship obligations.
Priority Processing:
Introduction of a priority service for sponsor licence applications and renewals, with faster decision times for an additional fee.
FAQ (Frequently asked questions):
A sponsor licence is an approval granted by the Home Office to employers, allowing them to hire foreign workers.
Employers must apply online, providing necessary documentation to prove they are a legitimate business and meet sponsorship requirements.
The fee is £536 for small or charitable sponsors and £1,476 for medium or large sponsors.
A CoS is an electronic record that a sponsor gives to a worker they wish to employ, which the worker then uses to apply for a visa.
Processing times can vary, but the Home Office aims to decide within 8 weeks (about 2 months). Priority processing is available for an additional fee of £500.
If your application is refused, you can reapply, but the application fee is non-refundable.
The job must meet the skill level and salary threshold, and the worker must have a valid CoS and meet English language requirements.
Yes, if you fail to comply with sponsorship duties, your licence can be suspended or revoked.
Sponsors must report changes in workers’ employment status, such as termination or changes in job roles, within 10 working days.
Yes, sponsor licences are valid for 4 years and can be renewed.
You can reapply or challenge the decision if you believe it was incorrect.
Yes, there are specific categories under the Temporary Worker licence, each with its own requirements and conditions.
This is a charge employers must pay when sponsoring a worker, intended to fund skills training for UK residents.
Generally, sponsored roles must meet the minimum salary requirements, which can make part-time roles challenging to justify under the Skilled Worker route.
Visits conducted by the Home Office to ensure sponsors are meeting their obligations and maintaining proper records.
For Expert legal advice and assistance, reach out to Imran & Co Solicitors today.
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