A sponsor licence application needs more than an online form. Employers must choose the right route, evidence the business, appoint suitable key personnel and prepare for UKVI compliance checks.
Reviewed by the Morgan Smith Immigration team — IAA-regulated UK immigration specialists. Last reviewed 2026-07-07.
TL;DR
The Sponsor Licence Application Guide explains how UK employers apply for permission to sponsor overseas workers. The government fee is £611 for small or charitable sponsors and £1,682 for medium or large Worker sponsors; maximum stay depends on the worker route, and standard applications are usually decided in up to 8 weeks.
£611 / £1,682
Worker licence fee
20-30 minutes
Online form estimate
Up to 8 weeks
Typical decision
What Does a Sponsor Licence Application Involve?
A sponsor licence application starts with choosing the correct Worker or Temporary Worker route and checking whether the organisation and proposed roles meet Home Office requirements. The application is completed online and paid by card.
After submitting the online form, the sponsor must provide the submission sheet and supporting documents if requested. GOV.UK states the online application takes around 20 to 30 minutes if the sponsor has gathered the necessary information, but preparation usually takes longer.
UKVI may visit the business to check whether it is trustworthy and capable of carrying out sponsor duties. If successful, the sponsor is normally granted an A-rated licence and can assign Certificates of Sponsorship for suitable jobs.
What UKVI Assesses
Three areas every application must satisfy.
📄
Business Eligibility
The sponsor must be a genuine organisation operating lawfully in the UK, with no relevant unspent convictions or recent serious sponsor history. UKVI can check documents and may visit before or after granting the licence.
💼
Sponsor Systems
The organisation needs HR systems that can monitor immigration status, attendance, contact details and reportable changes. The Authorising Officer, Key Contact and Level 1 User must be suitable and normally UK-based.
£
Suitable Sponsored Roles
Sponsored work must meet the relevant route requirements, including minimum wage, working time and any route-specific salary or skill rules. A sponsor must only assign a Certificate of Sponsorship where the role is genuinely eligible.
What You Can and Cannot Do
What an applying business can — and cannot — do.
✓ You Can
- Apply for one or both categories — Worker, Temporary Worker or a combined licence — in a single application.
- Use the pre-licence priority service (£750) where available to have an eligible application considered in 10 working days.
- Choose your own key personnel — the Authorising Officer, Key Contact and Level 1 User can be the same suitable person or different people.
- Prepare before UKVI asks — gather Appendix A documents and test HR systems ahead of submission.
- Start assigning CoS on approval — a successful application is normally granted an A-rated licence.
✗ You Cannot
- Sponsor anyone before approval — no worker can be sponsored until the licence is granted and a CoS assigned.
- Miss the document deadline — the submission sheet and evidence must be sent in the required format and timeframe.
- Appoint unsuitable key personnel — UKVI checks their history, and unsuitable appointments can sink the application.
- Reapply immediately after a refusal — an unsuccessful application in the last six months can usually prevent a new licence being granted.
- Pass the licence fee to workers — recovering specified licence or CoS fees from sponsored workers normally leads to revocation.
Costs & Fees
Current fees as of 2026. Set by the Home Office — subject to change.
Fees set by the Home Office and subject to change. Last reviewed: July 2026.
| Item | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Worker licence – small | £611 |
| Worker licence – large | £1,682 |
| Temporary Worker licence | £611 |
| Add Worker route | £1,071 large sponsor |
| CoS – Skilled Worker | £525 |
| Priority licence service | £750 |
How to Apply
Five steps from assessment to decision.
Assess Licence Need
Confirm whether the organisation needs a Worker, Temporary Worker, Student or combined licence, and whether the roles are eligible for sponsorship.
Prepare Evidence
Select key personnel, check HR systems and gather documents listed in Appendix A or requested during the online application.
Submit Online
Complete the sponsor application online, pay the relevant government fee and produce the submission sheet.
Send Documents
Email the submission sheet and supporting evidence in the required format and timeframe; UKVI may request more information or visit.
Receive Your Decision
Standard applications are typically decided in up to 8 weeks; eligible priority applications are considered in 10 working days.
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Sources
Legal information on this page is based on guidance from GOV.UK, the UK Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration, legislation.gov.uk, and Free Movement. Rules change frequently — speak to our team to confirm current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the sponsor licence application process.
How do you apply for a sponsor licence?
The application is made online: the employer chooses its licence routes, appoints key personnel, completes the form, pays the fee and then sends the submission sheet with supporting documents. GOV.UK estimates the form itself takes 20 to 30 minutes, but preparing the evidence usually takes far longer.
What documents are needed for a sponsor licence application?
Documents depend on the organisation type and licence routes requested. The Home Office Appendix A evidence framework normally requires proof that the organisation is genuine, operating lawfully in the UK and capable of meeting sponsor duties.
How long does a sponsor licence application take in 2026?
A standard application is usually considered in up to 8 weeks. Eligible pre-licence priority requests are considered within 10 working days for a £750 fee, but priority consideration does not guarantee approval.
How much does a sponsor licence application cost?
The Worker licence fee is £611 for small or charitable sponsors and £1,682 for medium or large sponsors. A Temporary Worker licence is £611, and each Skilled Worker Certificate of Sponsorship later costs £525.
Who are the key personnel on a sponsor licence application?
Every application names an Authorising Officer, a Key Contact and at least one Level 1 User. They must be suitable and normally UK-based — UKVI checks their background as part of the application.
What is the submission sheet?
After completing the online form, the sponsor produces a submission sheet that must be emailed with the supporting evidence in the required format and timeframe. UKVI may request more information before deciding.
Can UKVI visit before granting a sponsor licence?
Yes. Pre-licence compliance visits test whether the business is genuine, whether HR systems can carry out sponsor duties, and whether key personnel understand their responsibilities.
What happens after a sponsor licence is granted?
The sponsor normally receives an A-rated licence and can assign Certificates of Sponsorship for suitable jobs through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS).
Why are sponsor licence applications refused?
Common reasons include missing Appendix A documents, doubts about genuine trading presence, unsuitable key personnel and weak HR systems. An unsuccessful application in the last six months can usually prevent a new licence being granted.
Can Morgan Smith Immigration prepare our sponsor licence application?
Yes. Our IAA-regulated immigration advisers prepare the full application — route selection, key personnel, Appendix A evidence and HR-system readiness — and handle UKVI correspondence. We cannot guarantee approval, but we make sure the application is complete and properly evidenced before it goes in.
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