The Worker Sponsor Licence is designed for employers seeking to hire skilled international workers for short-term, long-term, or permanent positions. This licence provides flexibility in addressing the company’s staffing needs or business growth.
This Licence allows businesses to sponsor employees several specific visa categories, including:
- Skilled Worker Visa: The job must meet specific suitability requirements (typically RQF level 3 or above) and candidates must meet the UK points-based system requirements, including minimum salary thresholds.
- Senior or Specialist Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility): Popular with multinational companies that need to transfer employees to their UK branch. Also known as the Intra-company Transfer Visa.
- Minister of Religion Visa: For individuals coming to the UK to work within a faith community, such as ministers, missionaries, or religious workers.
- International Sportsperson Visa: Designed for elite sportspeople or qualified coaches who can make a significant contribution to the development of their sport in the UK.
Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence
The Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence enables UK employers to recruit international staff for short-term temporary roles, including volunteer positions. This helps organizations access a wider pool of talent to support their operations. This licence is ideal for roles needing skilled or specialist candidates without requiring long-term commitment.
Various visa categories fall under the Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence, such as:
- UK Expansion Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility): For employees sent to the UK to set up a new branch or subsidiary of the overseas company. Previously known as the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa.
- Creative Worker Visa: To work in the creative industries, as a performing artist, model, actor, dancer, film crew member or musician.
- Government Authorised Exchange Visa: Supports short-term work experience such as training, research, language programme or or fellowship through a government-approved exchange scheme.
- Graduate Trainee Visa (Global Business Mobility): As part of a graduate training programme involving work at the employer’s UK branch.
- Service Supplier Visa (Global Business Mobility): To fulfill a service contract for a UK company, up to 6 or 12 months.
- Secondment Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility): To transfer overseas workers for a different UK business, as part of a high-value contract.
- Charity Worker Visa: For unpaid volunteer roles at charities, for up to 1 year.
- Religious Workers Visa: To support the activities of religious institutions.
- International Agreement Visa: To cover contract for work governed by international agreements or international law, for example employees of overseas governments.
- Scale-up Worker Visa: For a fast-growing UK business to sponsor an eligible candidate for at least 6 months.
- Seasonal Worker Visa: Allows temporary work in the poultry or horticulture sectors for up to 6 months.
All of these temporary categories are subject to their own set of Home Office rules and policies, which we can advise on during the application process to ensure your business chooses the right visa type for its specific workforce needs.
Type of Documentation
In most cases, you need to send at least 4 documents, depending on the Sponsor Licence route you are applying for, the type of organization you are and how long you have been operating in the UK.
Typical required documentation may include and not limited to:
- Latest annual accounts
- Proof of registration with HMRC as an employer for PAYE and National Insurance
- HMRC VAT registration certificate
- Corporate bank statements
- Evidence of business premises in the UK (purchase or lease)
The specific documentation requirements are outlined in the Home Office’s Appendix A guidance.