Check if your business is eligible for a UK Sponsor Licence
Thinking about hiring international talent? Before you can sponsor a skilled worker from outside the UK, your business must hold a valid UK Sponsor Licence issued by the Home Office. Our free 2-minute eligibility checker tells you exactly where you stand - including your Home Office fee, typical processing timeline, and the next steps to get your licence approved.
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The Basics
What Is a UK Sponsor Licence?
Understanding the official permission you need to hire international talent
A sponsor licence is official permission from the Home Office that allows a UK employer to recruit and employ workers from outside the United Kingdom. According to GOV.UK, you will usually need a sponsor licence to employ someone to work for you from outside the UK - this includes EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who arrived after 31 December 2020.
Without a sponsor licence, you cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), and without a CoS, your prospective employee cannot apply for a Skilled Worker visa.
You do not need a sponsor licence for: Irish citizens, those with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or those with indefinite leave to remain.
Want to understand the full process first? Read our complete guide:
All industries welcome
Which Business Sectors Can Apply for a Sponsor Licence?
UK employers across virtually every sector can apply for a sponsor licence, provided they meet the Home Office's suitability criteria. Our eligibility checker covers:
Health & Social Care
High demand
Hospitality & Catering
Growing sector
Construction & Engineering
Skills shortage
Education
Regulated roles
Retail & Logistics
Expanding sectors
Finance & Professional
Specialist roles
Not sure which sector fits your business? Select 'Other sector' in the checker and one of our IAA-regulated advisers will guide you through the most appropriate route.
Home Office criteria
Are You Eligible? What the Home Office Checks
According to GOV.UK eligibility guidance, to obtain a sponsor licence your business must satisfy all of the following:
No unspent criminal convictions
Your business and its key personnel must not have unspent convictions for immigration offences, fraud, or money laundering.
Genuine operating business
UKVI requires evidence that your business is legally registered, actively trading, and operating from a genuine UK address.
HR monitoring systems
You must have appropriate processes in place to monitor sponsored workers - for example, tracking attendance and reporting changes in circumstances to the Home Office.
Key Personnel appointed
You must nominate an Authorising Officer, Key Contact, and at least one Level 1 User before your application is submitted.
No recent revocations
Your licence will not be granted if a previous licence was revoked within the last 12 months (or 24 months if revoked more than once).
Need help preparing your HR systems and compliance documentation? WorkPermitCloud handles the full application - documents, SMS guidance, HR checklist and all.
Read our blogTransparent pricing
UK Sponsor Licence Fees - 2026
The Home Office fee you pay depends on the size of your organisation. These are the current fees as at 2026, per gov.uk:
| Business Size | Employees | Home Office Fee (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Small / Charity | 1–10 employees | £611 |
| Medium | 11–50 employees | £1,682 |
| Mid-size | 51–250 employees | £1,682 |
| Large | 250+ employees | £1,682+ |
Our eligibility checker automatically calculates your applicable Home Office fee based on the company size you select - so there are no surprises. For a detailed breakdown of all costs, see our blog: How Much Does a Sponsor Licence Cost?
Read our blogSimple process
How the Eligibility Checker Works
- 01
Select your business sector
Choose from Health & Social Care, Technology, Education, Hospitality, Finance, Construction, Retail, and more.
- 02
Tell us your company size
Your number of employees determines the correct Home Office fee tier (£611 for small businesses, £1,682 for larger organisations).
- 03
Tell us your timeline
Whether you need a licence urgently, within 3–6 months, or are just exploring your options - we tailor our advice to your situation.
- 04
Instant licence snapshot
Enter your contact details and we immediately generate your personalised assessment - including sector, fee, and typical 8-week timeline.
See it in action. Takes 2 minutes · No obligation · WPC handles everything.
Start nowNext steps
What Happens After Your Eligibility Check?
Once you complete the eligibility checker, here is exactly what WorkPermitCloud does next:
An adviser calls you within 2 business hours
We review your business details, confirm your eligibility, and explain what documents we need from you. No automated emails - a real IAA-regulated adviser.
We prepare your entire application
Our team handles everything - from compiling supporting documents to completing the online application form on the Sponsor Management System (SMS). We also provide an HR checklist and SMS guidance to ensure you are compliant from day one.
Licence granted - start hiring
Once your licence is approved and rated by UKVI, we issue your Certificates of Sponsorship so you can bring in the talent your business needs.
Your licence rating matters too. Understand what your sponsor licence A-rating means and how to protect it.
Read our blogTrusted by thousands
Why UK Employers Trust WorkPermitCloud
One of the UK's most experienced immigration advisory firms.
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Want to know the full advantages of holding a sponsor licence?
Read our blogFAQ
Common questions
Who needs a UK sponsor licence?
Any UK employer who wishes to hire a worker from outside the United Kingdom - including EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals who arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020 - must hold a valid sponsor licence issued by the Home Office. This applies to paid and unpaid roles (including charity work). Full guidance on GOV.UK.
Can a small business apply for a sponsor licence?
Yes. Small businesses with 1–10 employees can apply for a sponsor licence. The Home Office fee for small or charitable organisations is £611, compared to £1,682 for medium and large organisations. There is no minimum trading period required, and start-ups can apply - provided the business is genuinely operating and meets all suitability criteria.
How long does a sponsor licence application take in 2026?
The standard processing time is approximately 8 weeks from submission. A priority service may be available which can reduce this to around 10 working days, subject to Home Office availability. WorkPermitCloud will advise on the best route for your timeline once your eligibility assessment is complete.
What documents do I need for a sponsor licence application?
The required documents depend on your business type and sector, but typically include: proof of registration (Companies House), bank statements, employer's liability insurance, proof of business premises, and evidence of HR processes. The Home Office's full list is published in Appendix A on GOV.UK. WorkPermitCloud compiles and prepares all required documents on your behalf.
What is the Home Office sponsor licence fee for 2026?
The Home Office fee is £611 for small organisations (1–10 employees) and charities, and £1,682 for all other organisations. These fees are paid directly to the Home Office and are non-refundable, even if the application is unsuccessful. The WPC service fee is separate - contact us for a fixed-fee quote.
What happens if my sponsor licence application is refused?
If refused, you generally cannot reapply for 6 months. If your licence has been revoked, there is a 12–24 month restriction on reapplying. WorkPermitCloud's 98% success rate is driven by thorough pre-submission checks - we only submit when we are confident your application is strong.
Do I need a sponsor licence to hire EU workers after Brexit?
Yes - with one exception. You need a sponsor licence to hire EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals who arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020. Those who arrived before that date and hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme do not require sponsorship. Irish citizens are also exempt from sponsorship requirements regardless of when they arrived.
How long does a UK sponsor licence last?
Your sponsor licence remains valid for as long as you continue to meet the Home Office's ongoing compliance requirements. There is no fixed expiry date for most licences. However, Scale-up Worker and UK Expansion Worker licences are valid for 4 years.
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)?
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a unique reference number - not a physical document - that a licenced sponsor assigns to a worker. The worker then uses the CoS reference number to apply for their Skilled Worker visa. Once you have a sponsor licence, WorkPermitCloud can assist you in issuing CoS for each new hire. Full guidance is available at GOV.UK: Certificates of Sponsorship.
Still have questions?