If you want permission to hire visa workers, you will need to gain a skilled workers license in order to do so. You must file an application to the Home Office, and if obtained, you will then be given permission to hire visa workers.

However, you will need to ensure that you continue to comply with ongoing licence management and reporting duties. If this is not updated regularly, you may fall at risk of Home Office penalties.

The application process for a sponsor license is an online process that can be made via the Home Office’s Sponsorship Management System.

The form is to find out about your business, the nature of your business and your legitimacy. You will also need to pay an application fee to apply.

They will also be checking to see the below:

• Your organisation can offer a genuine vacancy that meets the category-specific skill level required and offers at least the minimum pay rate.
• Your organisation has appropriate systems in place to meet your sponsorship duties and responsibilities. An inspection of your HR department may be necessary to demonstrate this.
• The business owners and partners named on your licence application will uphold the necessary sponsorship duties and do not present any threat to UK immigration control. The Home Office will consider any history of immigration violations or unspent criminal convictions, or relevant offences.

If your application is successfully accepted, you will be granted a sponsor licence for a period of 4 years.

Along with the application process, you will need to provide the necessary supporting documentation under Appendix A. Appendix A of the sponsor licence process is the supporting documents that must be provided and the application to obtain a sponsor licence.

Once you have successfully granted a licence to sponsor a migrant worker, you will be provided access to what’s known as the Sponsor Management System (SMS) run by the Home Office.

From the SMS online portal, you can then assign certificates and check in with any updates on compliance and the standards required.

How we can help

Each business will need to provide different documentation relating to the nature of their business. So when applying it is best to consult with an immigration solicitor.

To find out more about what documentation is relevant to your business, please do not hesitate to contact us.