How to get a sponsor licence
- 1Check eligibilityMake sure your role, salary and key personnel meet the rules.
- 2Gather documentsCollect the Appendix A documents for your organisation type.
- 3Apply online and payPay £611 or £1,682 and send the submission sheet within 5 working days.
- 4Prepare for a visitThe Home Office may check your HR systems before deciding.
Sponsor duties after you’re licensed
Holding a licence comes with ongoing duties: checking right to work, keeping records, reporting changes such as absences or salary changes, and making sure workers do the job they were sponsored for. The immigration firms listed on this site take those duties on for employers — from the application itself through to the record keeping a compliance visit looks at.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for a sponsor licence?
Any genuine organisation operating lawfully in the UK can apply, as long as it has a genuine vacancy that meets the Skilled Worker skill and salary rules, UK-based key personnel without relevant unspent convictions, and HR systems able to meet sponsor duties.
How much is a sponsor licence in 2026?
A sponsor licence costs £611 for small or charitable sponsors and £1,682 for medium or large sponsors. You also pay £525 per certificate of sponsorship and the Immigration Skills Charge for each worker.
How long does a sponsor licence application take?
Most applications are decided within 8 weeks. A priority service for a decision within 10 working days is available for an extra fee, with a limited number of places each day.
Does a sponsor licence need to be renewed?
No longer for most sponsors. Licences due to expire on or after 6 April 2024 were automatically extended by 10 years, so there is no longer a 4-yearly renewal. Sponsors must still keep meeting their duties.
What documents do I need for a sponsor licence?
You need the mandatory documents listed in Appendix A of the sponsor guidance for your organisation type — typically including a recent bank statement, employer’s liability insurance and proof of PAYE or VAT registration — plus the submission sheet.
What is an A-rated sponsor licence?
New sponsor licences are granted with an A rating. If you fail to meet your duties, your licence may be downgraded to B, which stops you assigning new certificates of sponsorship until you complete an action plan.
Official sources
Rules and fees checked September 2026. Immigration rules change often — this tool gives general information, not legal or immigration advice. For advice on an individual case, speak to a regulated immigration adviser or one of the firms listed here.