UK Register of Sponsors – Apply for a Sponsor Licence for your Company

Register of Sponsors is a list of organisations licenced to sponsor migrants under Tier 2 and Tier 5 of the Points-Based System. Employers who wish to employ workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) must obtain a Tier 2 or Tier 5 Sponsor licence which enables them to employ a highly skilled non-EEA worker. 

With current development in UK immigration laws, many business owners are eager to learn more about different options available in order to bring in international talents from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to continue to meet business needs and growth. Our experienced solicitors can assist you in obtaining a Sponsor licence for your company and register in the Register of Sponsors.

UK Register of Sponsors: What is it?

Register of Sponsors is a list of organisations licenced to sponsor migrants under Tier 2 and Tier 5 of the Points-Based System. The list contains organisation’s name, the sub tier or tiers they are licenced for and their rating against each sub tier. There are currently 29,751 sponsors registered in the Register of Sponsors: 27,799 under Tier 2 and 3,863 under Tier 5.

The full document listing all the employers holding a Sponsor licence can be found here.

UK Tier 2 Sponsor Licence: What is it?

In order for UK business employers to be able to employ skilled workers from outside the EEA, they will need to be holders of a valid Sponsor licence. This include unpaid work such as running a charity. You must note that sponsoring someone to be your employee in the UK does not necessarily mean that they will most certainly be allowed to work in the UK. Their right to work in the UK will be dependent on numerous factors and on the outcome of their immigration Leave to Remain or Entry Clearance applications.

UK Tier 2 Sponsor Licence Application Requirements

You must apply for a Sponsor Licence online and you must apply for the correct type of licence in order to be successful in your application. For instance, if you wish to sponsor a worker under the Tier 2 (General) route, you must ensure that the job you are offering is of a suitable skill level and has a corresponding appropriate salary. The minimum skill level of the job must be at NQF level 6 as stated in the codes of practice. Furthermore, the job must pay an appropriate salary in relation to the job title, job description, and the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes.

After you have submitted the application online, you must then provide with the Home Office all the supporting documents within a restricted time limit via post. Different types of businesses will be required to provide different documentary evidence. As a general rule, you must provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that you run a legitimate and genuine business.

You will be expected to provide evidence that your company is registered with the applicable and necessary regulatory bodies. You will further be expected to provide documents such as Employer’s Liability Insurance cover, proof of VAT registration, financial accounts of the company, and numerous documents depending on the type of business that you run.

Sponsor Management System for Tier 2 and 5 Sponsors

If you already have a Sponsor licence as a UK employer of a non-EEA national under Tier 2 or Tier 5 category, you can use the Sponsor Management System (SMS) to manage or renew an organisation’s Sponsor licence, create and assign certificates of sponsorship to a prosepective employee and report a change of circumstance such as withdrawal of sponsorship of a sponsored employee.

The new premium service option for Sponsors making requests via the Sponsor Management System (SMS) was announced by the Home Office last year and it enables sponsors to have their SMS requests dealt with on a priority basis however the date when the service will be introduced is yet to be announced by the Home Office.

Using Legal Representation to Apply for a Tier 2 and Tier 5 Sponsor Licence

Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on immigration law and your immigration status. It is possible to instruct an immigration and visa legal representative to submit a Tier 2 or Tier 5 Sponsor licence application.

A Sponsor Licence application can be complicated at times as the Home Office have imposed highly specific requirements for applicants to meet. Our expert immigration solicitors will provide you with a tailored service and are on hand to expedite the Sponsor Licence process. We ensure that we assist you to achieve and maintain an A-rated Sponsor status and provide ongoing compliance checks to ensure you are aware of your duties as a registered Sponsor.

This can be a significant administrative task and you will need to submit the correct documentary evidence. The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.

Successful Tier 2 and Tier 5 Sponsor Licence Applications

Our team of solicitors and barristers are specialist immigration lawyers who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your immigration status and the merit of your visa and immigration application before your matter even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation of your immigration and visa application and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.

We are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients.  We are minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice and other central London courts.

Preparation is the key to successful immigration applications. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation.

Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.