Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence

The Skilled Worker route allows overseas nationals with a job offer in the UK to work legally, provided they are sponsored by an employer holding a valid Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence. This guide explains the process and requirements for UK-based employers seeking to obtain such a licence.

Overview

To hire non-settled workers under the Skilled Worker route, UK employers must be authorized by the Home Office as a licensed sponsor. This is essential for employing overseas nationals, including most EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020. The licence enables employers to sponsor workers for specific jobs that meet the required skill and salary thresholds.

Who Needs to Be Sponsored?

Any overseas national without settled status or existing permission to work in the UK must be sponsored under the Skilled Worker route. Employers must be licensed by the Home Office as a Skilled Worker sponsor to do this. While there is no cap on the number of workers a sponsor can employ, the application process requires an estimate of how many Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) you plan to assign in the first year. Careful consideration and justification of this number are crucial.

How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence

To successfully apply for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence, you must meet several general and route-specific requirements.

General Requirements

As part of your application, you must demonstrate to the Home Office that:

• Genuine Operation:
  Your organization is legally operating in the UK.

• Trustworthiness:
  You are honest, dependable, and reliable, with no history of behavior that could be considered against the public good.

• Capability:
  You can effectively carry out your sponsor duties and demonstrate compliance according to the Home Office guidelines.

Route-Specific Requirements

In addition to the general requirements, you must also satisfy the following route-specific criteria:

• Skill Level:
  The job you offer must meet the skill level required for the Skilled Worker route.

• Salary Requirement:
  The role must offer a salary that meets or exceeds the minimum threshold set by the Skilled Worker route.

• Genuine Job Offer:
  The job you intend to sponsor must be genuine and necessary for your business.

• Direct Employment Relationship:
  The role must involve a direct employer-employee relationship, without the worker being hired out to a third party for ongoing or routine work.

Further Guidance

For a more detailed exploration of these requirements and to ensure your application is successful, consulting an immigration expert is recommended. This will help you navigate the complexities of the Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence application process and ensure that you meet all necessary criteria.