Hiring and recruitment

Sponsor overseas workers

Get a sponsor licence to hire skilled workers from outside the UK. Covers licence fees, salary thresholds, Immigration Skills Charge, Certificate of Sponsorship process, and compliance duties.

UK-wide Updated 16 Feb 2026

Guide summary

You must get a sponsor licence to hire skilled workers from outside the UK. This includes EU citizens who arrived after 31 December 2020. Pay licence fees, assign Certificates of Sponsorship for each worker, and meet salary thresholds.

Apply for sponsor licence first (takes 8 weeks)
probability of workers
Pay licence fee: £1,579 (large) or £574 (small)
Pay £525 per worker for Certificate of Sponsorship
Pay Immigration Skills Charge yearly (£1,000 large/£364 small)
Pay workers at least £41,700 yearly from July 2025
Keep records and report changes to UKVI
Licence valid indefinitely from April 2024
Appoint key personnel: Authorising Officer and Key Contact
Plan 3-4 months from application to worker starting

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To hire skilled workers from outside the UK (including EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who arrived after 31 December 2020), you must hold a sponsor licence. This applies to all nationalities except British and Irish citizens.

The process involves three main costs: licence application fee (one-time), Certificate of Sponsorship fee (per worker), and Immigration Skills Charge (per worker per year). Plan 3-4 months from application to worker starting.

Sponsoring overseas workers - Skilled Worker visa

How to get a sponsor licence to hire skilled workers from outside the UK, including salary thresholds and compliance duties.

Licence validity: Indefinitely (from 6 April 2024). The requirement to renew sponsor licences every 4 years was abolished. Licences due to expire on or after 6 April 2024 are automatically extended by 10 years. Exception - Scale-up Worker and UK Expansion Worker licences remain valid for 4 years only
General salary threshold (2025): £41,700 per year (from 22 July 2025, increased from £38,700). Must pay whichever is higher - £41,700 OR the 'going rate' for the occupation code
Immigration Skills Charge: £1,000 per year for medium/large businesses (£364 for small/charities) until 15 December 2025. From 16 December 2025 - £1,320 first 12 months then £660 per 6 months for medium/large (£480 first 12 months, £240 per 6 months for small/charitable sponsors)
Processing time: Around 8 weeks for standard applications
Key personnel: Must appoint Authorising Officer, Key Contact, and Level 1 User

Post-Brexit, employers now need a sponsor licence to hire EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who arrived after 31 December 2020, not just non-EU workers. The compliance obligations are significant - failure to keep proper records or report changes can result in licence revocation.

Apply for a sponsor licence

Sponsor licence fees

Fees depend on your business size. Small businesses and charities pay reduced rates.

Sponsor licence fees 2026/27

UK sponsor licence application fees by business size and route type (July 2025).

Worker route (medium/large): £1,579 application fee
Worker route (small/charity): £574 application fee
Temporary Worker route (all sizes): £574 application fee
Add Worker route to existing Temp licence: £1,005 (large) or free (small)
Priority processing: +£500 for decision within 10 working days
Premium sponsor service (large): £25,000 for 12 months
Premium sponsor service (small): £8,000 for 12 months

Sponsor licence fees are non-refundable if your application is refused. You cannot recover these fees from workers - doing so may result in licence revocation.

Apply for a sponsor licence

Small sponsor definition

Definition of small sponsor for reduced licence and ISC fees.

To qualify for reduced sponsor licence and ISC fees, your business must meet at least 2 of the following 3 criteria:

Annual turnover: £15 million or less
Balance sheet total: £7.5 million or less
Number of employees: 50 or fewer

Charities automatically qualify for small sponsor rates regardless of size. If you don't meet 2 of the 3 criteria above, you pay medium/large rates.

Certificate of Sponsorship

For each worker you sponsor, you must assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is a virtual document with a unique reference number the worker uses for their visa application.

Certificate of Sponsorship fees 2026/27

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fees by visa route (July 2025).

Worker route CoS: £525 per worker sponsored
Temporary Worker route CoS: £55 per worker sponsored
International Sportsperson (>12 months): £525 per worker
International Sportsperson (12 months or less): £55 per worker
CoS validity period: 3 months from assignment

Certificate of Sponsorship fees are paid when you assign a CoS to a worker. The worker must apply for their visa within 3 months of the CoS being assigned.

How to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship

How to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship to a worker. Procedural reference.

Types of Certificate of Sponsorship

Defined CoS: For workers applying from OUTSIDE the UK - you must request these individually for each person
Undefined CoS: For workers applying from INSIDE the UK - drawn from your annual allocation

Determine CoS type needed
Defined for overseas applicants, Undefined for in-country switchers
Request Defined CoS (if needed)
Apply through SMS for specific individual and role. Usually approved within 1 working day
Complete CoS details in SMS
Enter worker's details, job title, SOC 2020 occupation code, salary, start date, work location(s)
Pay Certificate of Sponsorship fee
£525 for Worker route, £55 for Temporary Worker route
Pay Immigration Skills Charge
Check exemptions first. From Dec 2025: £1,320 first year + £660 per 6 months (large)
Assign CoS to worker
Worker receives the CoS reference number for their visa application
Inform worker of 3-month deadline
Worker must apply for visa within 3 months of CoS assignment

Certificates of Sponsorship guidance

Immigration Skills Charge

On top of CoS fees, you pay an Immigration Skills Charge for most skilled workers. This funds UK skills training.

Immigration Skills Charge rates 2026/27

Immigration Skills Charge rates from December 2025, replacing previous rates.

From 16 December 2025 (new rates)

First 12 months (medium/large): £1,320
Each additional 6 months (medium/large): £660
5-year total (medium/large): £6,600
First 12 months (small/charity): £480
Each additional 6 months (small/charity): £240
5-year total (small/charity): £2,400

Key exemptions

ISC does not apply to: PhD-level occupations (research, higher education), student visa switchers, EU nationals on GBM route for up to 3 years, graduate trainees, Scale-up Workers, or sponsorships under 6 months.

Immigration Skills Charge guidance

Immigration Skills Charge exemptions

When the Immigration Skills Charge does not apply. Procedural reference.

The Immigration Skills Charge does not apply in the following circumstances:

PhD-level occupations: Scientific researchers, higher education teaching professionals, biochemists, physical scientists, clergy, sports players/coaches
Student visa switchers: Workers switching from Student visa to Skilled Worker or Senior/Specialist Worker
EU nationals on GBM route: EU nationals sponsored under Senior or Specialist Worker route for up to 3 years
Graduate trainees: Intra-company transfers on structured graduate training programmes (up to 12 months)
Scale-up Workers: Workers sponsored under the Scale-up route
Short sponsorships: Sponsorship period under 6 months
Dependants: Spouses, partners, and children of sponsored workers

If an exemption applied initially but circumstances change (e.g., a student switcher changes sponsor), the new sponsor may need to pay ISC. Check current guidance for specific situations.

Immigration Skills Charge exemptions

Salary requirements

Sponsored workers must meet minimum salary thresholds. The role must also be at least RQF Level 6 (graduate level) for most routes.

Skilled Worker salary thresholds 2026/27

Skilled Worker visa minimum salary thresholds (July 2025).

General threshold: £41,700 per year (from 22 July 2025)
Immigration Salary List roles: £33,400 per year (reduced threshold)
New entrants (under 26, recent graduates): £33,400 per year
Health and Education national pay scale: £25,000 minimum
PhD holders (relevant STEM): 80% of going rate
Postdoctoral positions: 70% of going rate

Workers must be paid whichever is higher: the general threshold OR the 'going rate' for their specific occupation code (SOC 2020). Going rates vary significantly by role.

Check going rates for eligible occupations

Applying for a sponsor licence

You need a sponsor licence before you can hire overseas workers. The application requires appointing key personnel and providing supporting documents.

How to apply for a sponsor licence

Step-by-step guide to applying for a UK sponsor licence. Procedural reference.

Before you apply

Check you're eligible: your business must be genuine, lawfully operating in the UK, and have no relevant unspent criminal convictions.

Identify key personnel
Appoint an Authorising Officer (UK-based senior employee), Key Contact (UKVI liaison), and at least one Level 1 User (one must be a settled worker)
Gather supporting documents
Per Appendix A requirements: company registration, financial records, evidence of UK business presence, key personnel identity documents
Apply online
Complete the application on the Home Office portal (takes 20-30 minutes)
Pay the licence fee
£574 (small/charity) or £1,579 (medium/large) for Worker route
Submit documents within 5 working days
Upload or post supporting evidence after submitting online application
Await decision
Standard: up to 8 weeks. Priority (+£500): 10 working days
Set up SMS access
Once approved, access the Sponsor Management System to manage CoS allocations

Important: If refused, you cannot reapply for 6 months. You'll receive an A-rating (fully compliant) or B-rating (action plan required).

Apply for a sponsor licence

Sponsor licence key personnel

Required sponsor licence key personnel roles and responsibilities.

Every sponsor must appoint three key personnel roles. The same person can hold multiple roles if they meet the requirements for each.

Authorising Officer

Senior employee or director responsible for approving sponsorship decisions. Must be UK-based. Cannot be an external consultant.

Key Contact

Primary liaison with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Can be internal staff or a UK-based representative.

Level 1 User

Manages day-to-day Sponsor Management System (SMS) activities, assigns Certificates of Sponsorship, and reports changes. At least one Level 1 User must be a 'settled worker' in the UK.

Sponsor key personnel guidance

Sponsor licence and visa processing times

Sponsor licence and Skilled Worker visa processing times.

Standard licence application: Up to 8 weeks
Priority licence application: 10 working days (+£500)
Defined CoS request: 1 working day
Skilled Worker visa (outside UK): 3 weeks typical
Skilled Worker visa (inside UK): 8 weeks typical
Time to settlement (ILR): 5 years continuous residence

Total time from licence application to worker starting: typically 3-4 months minimum. Plan recruitment accordingly - you cannot legally hire until your licence is approved.

Your compliance duties

Being a sponsor brings significant ongoing responsibilities. Failure to comply can result in licence downgrade, suspension, or revocation.

Sponsor reporting requirements

Sponsor reporting duties and deadlines. Procedural reference.

As a sponsor, you have legal duties to report changes. Failure to report on time can result in your licence being downgraded or revoked.

Report within 10 working days

Worker doesn't start: Report if worker fails to start on expected date
Absences: Report absences over 10 consecutive working days without permission
Salary reduction: Report any reduction below sponsored salary level
Role changes: Report significant changes to job title or duties
Work location change: Report if worker moves to different work site
Suspected breach: Report suspected immigration breaches, terrorism, or criminal activity

Report within 20 working days

Address change: Report change to business address
Key personnel change: Report changes to Authorising Officer, Key Contact, or Level 1 Users
Ownership changes: Report mergers, acquisitions, takeovers, or change of ownership
Insolvency: Report if insolvency proceedings begin
TUPE transfer: Report if sponsored workers transfer under TUPE

Sponsor duties and compliance

Sponsor record-keeping and compliance

Sponsor record-keeping and compliance requirements. Procedural reference.

Sponsors must maintain specific records for each sponsored worker as per Appendix D requirements. Records must be kept for the duration of sponsorship plus one year after it ends.

Required records

Identity documents: Copy of passport biographical page and visa
Contact details: Current UK address and phone number
National Insurance number: Once worker receives NI number
Attendance records: Evidence worker is attending work
Salary payments: Payslips, bank records proving salary meets threshold
Job details: Contract, job description, work location

Compliance visits

UKVI may conduct announced or unannounced visits to verify your compliance. You must allow full access to premises, records, and staff. Non-cooperation can result in licence revocation.

Record keeping requirements

Sponsor licence revocation reasons

Reasons why a sponsor licence may be revoked. Procedural reference.

UKVI can revoke your sponsor licence for serious non-compliance. Revocation means you cannot sponsor workers and existing sponsored workers may lose their right to work.

Mandatory revocation reasons

False information: Providing false information in applications
Criminal convictions: Relevant criminal convictions of key personnel
Loss of trading presence: Business ceases to operate in UK
Registration failures: Failure to maintain required professional registrations

Normal revocation reasons

Recouping fees (from April 2025): Recovering licence or CoS fees from workers
Failure to meet duties: Non-compliance with sponsor duties
Unauthorised employment: Allowing workers to work outside sponsored role
Non-cooperation: Refusing access during compliance visits

After revocation, you cannot apply for a new licence for 12 months (24 months if revoked twice in 5 years).

Visa fees paid by the worker

Workers pay their own visa application fees and Immigration Health Surcharge (unless they qualify for Health and Care Worker discounts).

Skilled Worker visa fees 2026/27

Skilled Worker visa application fees paid by the worker (July 2025).

Applying from outside UK

Up to 3 years: £769
Over 3 years: £1,519
Immigration Salary List (up to 3 years): £590
Immigration Salary List (over 3 years): £1,160

Applying from inside UK

Up to 3 years: £885
Over 3 years: £1,751

Health and Care Worker

Up to 3 years: £304
Over 3 years: £590

Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year (paid by the worker). Health and Care Workers are exempt from IHS.

Routes to settlement

Not all sponsored worker routes lead to permanent residence (Indefinite Leave to Remain). Consider this when planning long-term hires.

Visa routes leading to settlement

Which sponsored worker visa routes lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Not all sponsored worker routes lead to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain). Plan your recruitment strategy accordingly.

Routes that lead to settlement (5 years)

Skilled Worker: Yes - settlement after 5 years continuous residence
Health and Care Worker: Yes - settlement after 5 years (reduced visa fees, IHS exempt)
Scale-up Worker: Yes - settlement after 5 years

Routes that do NOT lead to settlement

Senior or Specialist Worker (GBM): No - max 5 years in any 6-year period (9 in 10 if earning £73,900+)
Graduate Trainee: No - max 12 months, cannot extend
UK Expansion Worker: No - max 12 months initially
Creative Worker: No - max 24 months
Charity Worker: No - max 12 months
Seasonal Worker: No - max 6 months

Alternative routes for existing employees

If you have overseas offices, you may be able to transfer existing employees using Global Business Mobility routes.

Global Business Mobility routes

Global Business Mobility visa routes for intra-company transfers.

Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes allow multinational companies to transfer existing overseas employees to the UK temporarily.

Senior or Specialist Worker

Salary threshold: £52,500 minimum (or going rate if higher)
High earner threshold: £73,900 (no overseas work requirement, longer stay)
Prior overseas work: 12 months with same employer (unless earning £73,900+)
Maximum stay (under £73,900): 5 years in any 6-year period
Maximum stay (£73,900+): 9 years in any 10-year period

Graduate Trainee

Salary threshold: £27,300 minimum (or 70% of going rate)
Prior overseas work: 3 months immediately before applying
Maximum stay: 12 months - cannot extend
Visa fee: £319
ISC exempt: Yes

Important: GBM routes do not lead to settlement. Workers must leave the UK or switch to a settlement route like Skilled Worker.

Global Business Mobility routes

Scale-Up Visa for high-growth businesses

Immigration route to sponsor skilled workers in fast-growing UK businesses, including employer eligibility criteria and the 2-year initial sponsorship period.

The Scale-Up Worker visa lets high-growth businesses bring in skilled workers from outside the UK. Unlike the Skilled Worker route, the worker is only tied to your business for the first 2 years — after that, they can work for any UK employer without further sponsorship.

You must hold a valid sponsor licence before you can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Employer growth requirement: 20% or more average annualised growth over 3 years (employment or turnover)
Minimum employees (start of period): At least 10 employees
Sponsor licence required: Yes — apply via the Home Office online service
Worker minimum salary: £39,100 per year (or going rate if higher)
Worker sponsorship tie: 2 years (worker can then move to any UK employer)
Route to settlement: Yes — after 5 years continuous residence in the UK
Immigration Skills Charge: Exempt

Scale-up Worker visa — GOV.UK

Apply for a sponsor licence

Legal basis

This guidance is based on the following UK legislation.

Related guides in Employment & HR

Sponsor licence fees

Certificate of Sponsorship

Immigration Skills Charge

Salary requirements

Applying for a sponsor licence

Your compliance duties

Visa fees paid by the worker

Routes to settlement

Alternative routes for existing employees