Sponsor Licence Solicitors for UK Employers
We advise employers on sponsor licence applications, Certificates of Sponsorship and ongoing compliance. We also assist with Home Office queries, compliance visits and licence suspension or revocation issues, subject to the agreed scope of work.
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Sponsor Licence Solicitors You Can Speak To Directly
LegumLex is an SRA-regulated firm of immigration solicitors advising UK employers on sponsor licences (often called a sponsorship licence or “sponsor license”). Your matter is handled by a qualified solicitor, not passed to a call centre. We act for businesses across the UK from our London office in Holborn (Red Lion Square) and our Milton Keynes office, with meetings in person or by video.
Our sponsor licence solicitors advise on new sponsorship licence applications, compliance audits, Certificates of Sponsorship and urgent suspension or revocation matters.
What Is a Sponsor Licence?
A Sponsor Licence is a formal permission granted by the Home Office (UK Visas and Immigration) that authorises a UK employer to hire workers from outside the UK under the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, or other sponsored routes.
Without a Sponsor Licence, UK businesses cannot sponsor overseas workers or issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS). As the UK’s immigration system increasingly requires sponsorship for non-EEA nationals — and now for many roles that previously relied on EU free movement — a Sponsor Licence has become essential infrastructure for any business that employs or intends to employ international talent.
Holding a licence also carries significant compliance obligations. UKVI can and does conduct unannounced compliance visits. Breaches can result in the suspension or revocation of the licence — with severe consequences for the business and its sponsored workers.
Who Needs a Sponsor Licence?
You will need a Sponsor Licence if your organisation:
- Wishes to hire skilled workers from outside the UK who require a Skilled Worker visa
- Needs to transfer employees from overseas offices under the Global Business Mobility routes
- Wants to hire workers on other sponsored work routes (e.g. Temporary Worker, Scale-up Worker)
- Is an overseas business establishing a presence in the UK and wishes to bring key personnel
You do not need a Sponsor Licence to hire UK citizens, settled persons (those with ILR or British citizenship), or individuals who hold visas that already give them the right to work.
Our Sponsor Licence Services
1. New Sponsor Licence Application
Applying for a Sponsor Licence involves a detailed assessment of your business and its HR systems, submission of documentary evidence, and appointment of key personnel roles within your organisation.
We help you:
- Assess your eligibility before applying (avoiding wasted applications)
- Identify the most appropriate licence category for your needs
- Prepare all required documentation (including HR policy evidence)
- Complete and review the online application
- Respond to any UKVI pre-licence queries
- Prepare for a potential compliance visit following application
More about sponsor licence applications →
Typical timeline: 8 weeks (standard), 10 business days (priority) UKVI fees: depend on the licence type and sponsor size. See the current sponsor licence fees. The employer must pay the licence fee and must not pass prohibited sponsorship costs to the worker.
2. Sponsor Licence Compliance Audit
Once licensed, sponsors must maintain compliance with UKVI’s sponsorship duties. These include record-keeping obligations, right-to-work checks, absence monitoring, and reporting duties. Compliance failures — even inadvertent ones — can trigger a suspension or downgrade.
Our compliance audit includes:
- Review of existing HR policies and procedures against UKVI requirements
- Checking CoS assignment records and sponsored worker files
- Identifying compliance gaps and remediation priorities
- Training for HR staff and Key Personnel (Authorising Officer, Key Contact, Level 1 Users)
- Written audit report with recommended actions
This service is recommended as an annual exercise and is critical before any UKVI compliance visit. More about sponsor licence compliance audits →
3. Ongoing Sponsor Licence Management
Most sponsor licences no longer need renewal every four years. Scale-up and UK Expansion Worker licences have different validity rules. An ongoing licence still requires active compliance management.
We assist with:
- Reviewing HR systems and sponsored-worker records
- Reporting relevant business and worker changes
- Planning Certificate of Sponsorship allocations and responding to compliance issues
See the official sponsor licence overview and our employer guide.
4. Sponsor Licence Suspension Defence
If UKVI suspects a compliance breach, it may suspend your licence — preventing you from assigning new CoS and triggering a formal investigation. Suspended sponsors typically have 20 working days to respond.
If your licence is suspended, we:
- Analyse the suspension notice and identify the specific concerns raised
- Advise your team on immediate actions to take (and avoid)
- Prepare a detailed written response addressing UKVI’s concerns
- Compile supporting evidence to demonstrate compliance
- Represent your interests with UKVI throughout the process
Time is critical. Contact us immediately if your licence has been suspended. More about sponsor licence suspension →
5. Sponsor Licence Revocation Challenge
If UKVI revokes your licence, there is no right of appeal, but an unlawful decision may be challenged. Revocation ends your ability to sponsor workers and may result in your current sponsored employees losing their visas.
We advise on:
- Grounds for challenging the revocation decision
- Asking UKVI to reconsider where there is a clear factual or caseworking error
- Judicial review proceedings where appropriate
- Mitigation strategy and timeline for reapplication
More about sponsor licence revocation →
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
A CoS is the electronic document assigned to a specific worker before they apply for their visa. It confirms the employer’s commitment to sponsor that individual.
We advise on:
- Defined vs. undefined CoS — which to use and when
- Checking the Occupation Code (SOC code) against the Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List
- Salary compliance — meeting the general threshold and any specific occupation thresholds
- CoS assignment timing and expiry management
Compliance Duties Overview
All Sponsor Licence holders must comply with ongoing duties. Key obligations include:
| Duty | Detail |
|---|---|
| Right to Work Checks | Before employment begins and periodically for sponsored workers |
| Record Keeping | Maintain up-to-date records of contact details, work locations, absences |
| Reporting | Report significant changes (e.g. worker leaves, changes role, is absent without permission) within 10 working days |
| Cooperation with UKVI | Respond promptly to UKVI requests; permit compliance visits |
| Key Personnel | Maintain appropriate Authorising Officer, Key Contact, and Level 1/2 Users |
Failure to comply can result in a licence downgrade (A-rating to B-rating), suspension, or revocation.
Common Reasons for Sponsor Licence Refusal
- Business does not genuinely operate in the UK
- Lack of demonstrable need to fill the role with a sponsored worker
- Inadequate HR systems for managing sponsored workers
- Key personnel (e.g. Authorising Officer) fail background checks
- Application errors or incomplete documentation
We assess all of these issues before submission to minimise refusal risk.
Fees
See our fees page for professional fee information. Government charges are separate.
Official Guidance
Common Questions
Is it a sponsor licence or sponsor license?
The UK spelling is 'licence', so the Home Office calls it a sponsor licence. Employers also search for a 'sponsorship licence', 'sponsor license' or 'visa sponsorship licence'. These all mean the same Home Office licence that lets a UK employer sponsor overseas workers.
How long does a Sponsor Licence application take?
Most applications are decided in under eight weeks, but checks or a compliance visit may take longer. A paid priority service may be available for a decision within ten working days, subject to limited availability. Check GOV.UK for the current fee.
Can a start-up or recently registered company apply for a Sponsor Licence?
Yes, provided the business is genuinely operating in the UK and can demonstrate a real need to fill a skilled role. We advise a number of early-stage businesses through successful applications.
What is a compliance visit?
UKVI officers may visit your premises — announced or unannounced — to verify that your HR systems meet sponsorship duties. We prepare clients thoroughly for these visits as part of our compliance audit service.
What happens to my sponsored workers if my licence is suspended?
During suspension, you cannot assign new CoS. Existing sponsored workers' visas are not immediately affected, but if the licence is ultimately revoked, their visas may be curtailed. We work urgently to resolve suspension situations.
Do I need a solicitor to apply for a Sponsor Licence?
You are not legally required to use a solicitor. However, the application is detailed, the compliance obligations are significant, and errors are costly. Given the business disruption that follows a refusal or revocation, most employers find expert legal support provides genuine value.
This page provides general information about Sponsor Licence and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact us for a consultation.
Need Help with Your Sponsor Licence?
We offer a short initial call, free of charge, to understand your enquiry and explain how we can help. Where detailed advice or a document review is required, we offer a paid consultation and confirm the fee beforehand.