UK Visa Guide · 2026
How do UK employers sponsor visas?
Who it's for
UK employers wanting to recruit non-UK nationals (including from EU since Brexit). All sponsors must hold an active licence; without one, you cannot legally hire most non-UK workers (excluding those with pre-settled status, settled status, Graduate visa holders, dependants of others' visas, or those on time-unrestricted routes).
Eligibility requirements
1) Genuine UK business with HMRC PAYE or VAT registration. 2) Premises and operations in UK. 3) Authorising Officer, Key Contact, and Level 1 User identified (these are people responsible for sponsorship within your organisation). 4) Compliance systems in place: HR records, right-to-work checks, salary verification. 5) Suitable management to oversee compliance. 6) Genuine vacancies for the roles you want to sponsor.
Application process
1) Decide on licence type: Skilled Worker (most common), Health and Care Worker, Temporary Worker, etc. 2) Identify Authorising Officer, Key Contact, Level 1 User. 3) Apply online at gov.uk Sponsor Management System (SMS). 4) Pay licence fee (£574 small/charity, £1,476 medium/large). 5) Submit supporting documents: HMRC certificate, PAYE registration, premises proof, business activity proof. 6) UKVI may visit premises for compliance check. 7) Decision in 8 weeks (priority service +£500). 8) Once granted, licence valid 4 years (renewable).
Costs and timings
Licence application: £574 (small/charity), £1,476 (medium/large). Priority service: £500. Renewal every 4 years: same fees. Per-CoS: Skills Charge £364 (small/charity per year of CoS) or £1,000 (medium/large per year of CoS); CoS Fee £239. Compliance audits: ad hoc, no charge but extensive. Decision time: 8 weeks standard, 10 working days priority.
Common reasons for refusal
1) Insufficient documentation (HMRC, PAYE, premises). 2) Compliance systems not in place. 3) Sham employer (no genuine vacancies). 4) Authorising Officer or Key Contact has criminal/immigration history. 5) Failed pre-licence audit. 6) Premises checks raise concerns about genuine UK operation.
Worked example
TechCo, a 50-employee UK SaaS company, applied for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence to hire international developers. Total upfront cost: £1,976 (licence £1,476 + priority £500). UKVI conducted a 2-hour audit visit checking HR, contracts, payroll. Licence granted in 2 weeks (priority). Over the next 4 years they sponsored 8 developers; total Skills Charge for those 8 (each 5-year CoS = £25,000). When their licence comes up for renewal in 2030, they'll need to demonstrate consistent compliance to renew.
Recruiter pro tip
Sponsor licence compliance is the unseen risk for employers. Many companies get the licence and then fail compliance because they don't track CoS allocations carefully, don't report role/salary changes within 10 working days, or don't maintain proper records. UKVI compliance audits can revoke licences — and that affects ALL sponsored employees who lose their visas. Invest in proper sponsorship management software (or process) from day one. Many UK firms use specialist immigration solicitors on retainer for £500-£2,000/month — much cheaper than losing a licence.
Important: UK immigration rules and salary thresholds change frequently. Always verify current rates and rules at gov.uk before applying. For complex cases, consult a qualified UK immigration solicitor (regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or OISC). This guide is for general information only, not legal advice.
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