Apply for a UK Sponsor Licence

There are three main sponsor licence routes most businesses consider.

• Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence:
  
  Suitable for UK businesses that are actively trading and intend to hire overseas workers on a long-term basis. This route can lead to settlement for sponsored workers and is the most common sponsorship licence type.
  
  The Home Office will expect evidence that:
  
  • The business is genuine and trading
  • The roles meet skill and salary thresholds
  • Compliance systems are in place
  
  
• Global Business Mobility - Senior or Specialist Worker:
  
  Designed for overseas companies transferring senior or specialist employees to a linked UK entity. This route is temporary and does not lead to settlement.
  
  It requires clear corporate linkage and appropriate salary levels.
  
  
• UK Expansion Worker Sponsor Licence:
  
  Intended for overseas businesses establishing a UK presence that is not yet fully trading. This route allows a limited number of senior staff to establish operations in the UK before transitioning to a Skilled Worker sponsor licence once trading activity is established.
  
  Priority processing is not available for UK Expansion Worker sponsor licence applications. This distinction is important where entry timelines are tight.
  
  
• A Combined Sponsor Licence:
  
  In certain commercial scenarios, holding both a Skilled Worker sponsor licence and a Global Business Mobility - Senior or Specialist Worker licence can provide operational flexibility.
  
  For example:
  
  • Transferring senior staff from overseas entities while recruiting locally under the Skilled Worker route
  • Managing phased workforce growth
  • To demonstrate global capability to the Home Office
  
  Such structures must align with genuine vacancy requirements and Home Office requirements. They are not appropriate in every case.
  
  We assess this before any application is submitted.
  
  

The Home Office increasingly conducts compliance checks before granting a sponsor licence.

• A digital compliance assessment
• A pre-licence audit
• A site visit

Start-ups, younger companies and businesses in sectors perceived as higher risk may be more likely to face additional scrutiny.

If selected for a compliance check, processing times may extend, even where priority service has been purchased. Preparation from the outset significantly reduces disruption.

Every sponsor licence application must nominate:

• An Authorising Officer
• A Key Contact
• At least one Level 1 User

The Home Office will assess whether these individuals are suitable, reliable and capable of fulfilling sponsor duties.

Issues around suitability, availability or conflicts of interest can delay or undermine a sponsor licence application.

We review key personnel structures carefully to ensure they meet UKVI requirements before submitting the sponsorship licence application.

At Immtell, we provide structured sponsor licence strategy and application management, including:

• Sponsorship licence route assessment
• Corporate structure and trading review
• Key personnel suitability review
• Compliance systems readiness assessment
• Preparation and submission of the Home Office sponsor licence application
• Post-approval briefing on UKVI sponsorship duties

Our objective is not simply Home Office approval, but a compliant and sustainable sponsor framework that supports your growth.

A sponsor licence application is not simply an administrative form. It is a formal request for the Home Office to trust your business with ongoing immigration compliance responsibilities.

Some firms focus primarily on completing and submitting the online application.

Others operate through large teams and layered internal processes.

At Immtell, our approach is different.

You work directly with senior-level advisers.
We assess your trading position, structure and recruitment plans before submission.
We prepare your application with scrutiny in mind, not just approval.
We explain your business clearly and align your evidence to your commercial objectives.

Our role is not only to help you obtain a sponsor licence, but to ensure it is structured correctly from the outset.

In a higher-scrutiny environment, careful preparation is no longer optional. It is essential.

Every business is different. Some require structured submission management. Others need deeper strategic preparation and governance setup.

We offer three levels of support.

• 1. Sponsor Licence Application Support

For businesses that need structured preparation and professional oversight of their sponsor licence application.

Includes:

• Confirmation of the appropriate licence route
• Document checklist and evidence review
• Preparation of the online application form (for Authorising Officer submission)
• Guidance to the Authorising Officer on submission
• Structured covering letter
• Preparation of submission bundle
• Support responding to standard Home Office queries
• Post-approval guidance on next steps

Outcome:

A properly prepared and professionally submitted sponsor licence application.



• 2. Sponsor Licence Strategy & Application (Most Popular)

For businesses that want reduced refusal risk and structured preparation for Home Office scrutiny.

Includes everything in Tier 1, plus:

• Detailed licence route assessment
• Corporate structure and trading review
• Genuine vacancy assessment and positioning
• Key personnel suitability review
• Full tailored submission letter explaining:
- Your business background
- Why you require a licence
- How the role supports your plans
- How your documents support your case
• Compliance readiness review
• Structured sponsor duties briefing

Outcome:

An application clearly explained, commercially aligned and prepared for scrutiny.



• 3. Sponsor Licence & Compliance Training

For businesses that want approval plus structured internal capability from day one.

Includes everything in Tier 2, plus:

• Right to Work training (recorded, approx. 30 minutes)
• Sponsor duties training (recorded, approx. 30 minutes)
• Pre-licence audit question bank, guide and preparation checklist
• If selected for a compliance visit: preparation call with the Authorising Officer
• 90 days post-licence support, including:
- Guidance on initial SMS reporting
- Support with first CoS allocation and assignment
- Ongoing sponsor duties advisory support

Outcome:

Your licence is secured.
Your team understands their responsibilities.
You are prepared for scrutiny.

In a higher-refusal environment, preparation matters.

We prepare every sponsor licence application on the basis that it may be subject to detailed scrutiny.

If your sponsor licence application is refused due to an error in preparation within our control, we will correct the issue and resubmit without charging additional professional fees.

We cannot guarantee approval.

We can guarantee structured, careful and accountable preparation.

For established businesses trading for more than two years with no adverse immigration history, professional fees typically range as follows:

• Sponsor Licence Application Support
  
  From £4,500 + VAT
  
  
• Sponsor Licence Strategy & Application
  
  From £5,750 - £6,000 + VAT
• Sponsor Licence & Compliance Training
  
  From £8,750 - £10,000 + VAT
• UK Expansion Worker
  
  UK Expansion Worker sponsor licence applications are typically more involved and priced separately.
  Fees typically range from £8,000–£12,000 + VAT, depending on the structure and supporting evidence required.

Home Office application fees are payable separately.

Professional fees depend on the level of preparation and support required.

For established businesses trading for more than two years with no previous immigration compliance concerns, fees typically fall within the following ranges:

• Age of the Company
  
  Businesses trading for:
  
  • More than 2 years
  • Between 18–24 months
  • Less than 18 months
  
  may require different levels of evidence preparation and explanation.
  
  Younger businesses are more likely to face detailed scrutiny, requests for further information or pre-licence compliance checks. Where this applies, additional preparation and evidence structuring may be required. Fees reflect the level of preparation needed to reduce refusal risk.
  
  Businesses with a prior adverse immigration history, such as a refusal, suspension, revocation, or civil penalty, are also subject to heightened Home Office scrutiny. In these cases, further strategic preparation may be required before submission.
  
  
• Licence Type and Business Structure
  
  Some sponsor licence routes require more detailed evidence and explanation.
  
  UK Expansion Worker sponsor licence applications typically require additional preparation because the UK entity should be newly established and the Home Office will scrutinise:
  
  • the overseas business and corporate linkage
  • the UK expansion plan and planned activities
  • evidence of the UK footprint and genuine intention to trade
  • key personnel arrangements and compliance readiness
  
  Where this applies, additional preparation and evidence structuring may be required. Fees reflect the level of preparation needed to reduce refusal risk.
  
  
  
• Previous Immigration History
  
  If your business has previouslly experienced:
  
  • A sponsor licence refusal
  • Suspension or revocation
  • Civil penalties
  • Immigration compliance breaches
  
  additional strategic preparation will be required before submitting a new application.
  
  Applications following adverse history are subject to heightened Home Office scrutiny. Our role in these cases is to ensure issues are properly addressed and clearly explained before submission.
  
  
  

Use the calendar below to schedule a focused discussion about your trading position, recruitment plans and likely level of Home Office scrutiny