Four stages from first contact to approved licence. You are kept informed at every point.
We call you back within 2 hours on working days. On the call we review your business structure, the roles you need to fill, your HR policies and your current compliance setup. We confirm whether you are eligible and give you a clear picture of what is involved.
What you get: Eligibility confirmed, full documentation list, clear timeline, fixed price in writing. No obligation at any point.
We compile every document on your list, appoint the correct key contacts, review your HR policies against Home Office requirements and check every element of the application. Nothing is submitted until it is right.
What you get: Complete, Home Office-ready application package. All correspondence handled by us. You remain fully informed throughout.
We submit the application to UKVI and manage all responses. If the Home Office requests further information or documentation, we respond immediately. You do not interact with UKVI at any point in the process.
Standard processing: Approximately 8 weeks. Priority processing: 10 working days (additional UKVI fee applies).
Licence approved. We provide a comprehensive briefing covering your ongoing obligations: SMS portal duties, reporting requirements, right to work record-keeping and CoS assignment process. You leave knowing exactly what you must do to stay compliant.
Ongoing support: Monthly management retainer available for businesses that want continuous compliance coverage.
These are the core documents required for a standard sponsor licence application. We review your specific situation on the assessment call and confirm the exact list for your business.
Companies House certificate confirming your business is legally registered and trading in the UK.
Proof that your business is registered with HMRC as an employer. PAYE reference letter or confirmation from HMRC.
Right to work policy, recruitment policy and absence management policy. We review and advise on gaps before submission.
Lease agreement or title deeds confirming your business occupies a genuine UK premises. Must cover the application date.
Recent business bank statements showing active trading. Typically the most recent 3 months. Must show business name and account number.
Certificate of employer liability insurance. Must be in date and show adequate coverage. Required for all UK employers with staff.
Detailed job descriptions for the roles you intend to sponsor. Must include SOC code, salary, duties and genuine business need. We draft and check these.
VAT registration certificate if your business is VAT registered. Confirms trading activity and HMRC registration status. Not required if below the VAT threshold, but strengthens the application if held.
Full details of the proposed Authorising Officer, including their role, length of employment and right to work evidence. The AO must be a settled worker, senior employee or director of the business. We advise on eligibility at the assessment stage.
Additional documents may be required depending on your business type and sector. Get your personalised list on the assessment call.
A sponsor licence is not a one-time event. You have ongoing duties to UKVI. These are the ones that matter most and where most businesses run into trouble.
You must use the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) to assign Certificates of Sponsorship, report changes and manage your sponsored workers. Level 1 users must be appointed and trained. Incorrect portal use is one of the most common compliance failures.
You must report certain events to UKVI within 10 working days. These include: a sponsored worker failing to turn up for their first day, a worker's job role changing significantly, a worker being absent for more than 10 consecutive working days without permission, or a worker's employment ending early.
You must conduct and record right to work checks for every employee before employment begins, not just sponsored workers. Records must be kept for the duration of employment plus 2 years after. Home Office compliance visits will audit these records. Missing or incorrect records can result in civil penalties of up to £60,000 per worker.
Each sponsored worker requires a Certificate of Sponsorship assigned through the SMS portal before they can apply for their visa. The CoS must accurately reflect the job role, SOC code, salary and start date. Errors at this stage can cause visa refusals and knock-on compliance issues. We handle every CoS assignment as part of our service.
Best practice is a quarterly internal review of all sponsored workers, checking visa expiry dates, salary levels, job roles, right to work records and reporting obligations. 1,494 licences were revoked in 2024. Most of those businesses thought they were compliant. A quarterly review catches issues before UKVI does.
Sponsored workers must be paid at least the salary stated on their CoS throughout their employment. From April 2024 the minimum general threshold is £38,700. Sector-specific going rates also apply. Pay cuts, unpaid leave and incorrect deductions can all put your licence at risk. Salary records must be maintained and accessible for audit.
Our Management Retainer covers everything. Monthly compliance oversight, CoS assignments, visa tracking, SMS portal management, reporting duties and quarterly health checks. You focus on running your business.
We call you back within 2 hours on working days.
Your details are kept strictly confidential.
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