Ten steps to sponsorship

This page sets out the 10 actions that will help to make your sponsorship application as easy and straightforward as possible.

1. Are you eligible to apply?

Check whether you meet the eligibility requirements for a licence. See the Eligibility pages for more information.

2. What kind of licence?

If your organisation has a number of different offices, locations or campuses, you can choose how you want to register as a sponsor:

  • you can apply for a single licence, which includes your head office and all branches in the UK;
  • each branch can applying for a separate licence; or
  • you can apply for multiple licences, but each of these licences can cover a group of branches.

If you apply for a licence to cover a group of branches, you must give the names and addresses of all the branches that you want to include. Where necessary, you should use a separate sheet and supply this with your submission sheet.

The section on types of organisation contains more information.

3. Be clear about who will do what

As a potential sponsor, you must allocate some responsibilities to members of your staff. There are 4 roles:

  • authorising officer
  • level 1 user
  • level 2 user
  • key contact

You must decide who will fill these roles. The section on key personnel contains more information.

4. Know who is working for you already

The online sponsor application form will ask whether you are currently employing migrant workers from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland. You can supply an estimate rather than an exact figure, but you should include any overseas nationals who have been granted settlement (known as 'indefinite leave to remain') in the UK.

5. How many people will you need?

You must estimate the number of certificates of sponsorship that you expect to issue in the next year. You can use your past take-up of work permits, your turnover of staff and any expansion plans as guides. Do not forget to check whether any of your existing work permit holders will require an extension in the coming 12 months. Be aware that there is a limit on the number of certificates of sponsorship that can be issued in some categories.

6. Check that you can keep up with the duties

You will need to show us that you have the right human resources (HR) systems in place to comply with your sponsorship duties. This does not mean that you need a formal HR department, but you must have systems in place to keep track of who is working for you, where they are and the conditions of their work.

For more information, see the How we assess HR systems and compliance page. Some employers struggle to provide evidence that they:

  • are following the procedures outlined in our guidance on preventing illegal working, which will enable them to protect themselves from penalties for employing illegal workers;
  • have systems in place to keep migrant workers' contact details (address, phone and mobile phone) up to date;
  • have systems in place to monitor migrants sufficiently (for example, with regular contact if they work at client sites or from home); and
  • have a suitable procedure for their size, type and structure to ensure that the designated responsible person is informed of any circumstances which should be reported to us, and then does so.

7. Check for compliance

If you currently employ any work permit holders, you should ensure that you are complying fully with the work permit arrangements. For more information, see the How we assess HR systems and compliance page.

8. Do not forget the documents...

Ensure that you send the correct documents to support your application. You must send original documents or certified copies (including a signed statement, either by the issuing authority or by a solicitor or notary, confirming that it is an accurate copy of the original).

If we request any documents that are not in English, these must be accompanied by a certified translation. You must provide the translator's credentials, and their official confirmation that the translation is accurate.

More information is available in the Supporting evidence page.

9. ...Or the cheque!

Ensure that you send the correct fee with your submission sheet and supporting evidence. Details of what fee to pay are available on the Costs pages.

10. Read the guidance

If you cannot find the answer anywhere else, it should be in our full guidance for sponsor applications. You should read this guidance in full before you make your application.

Still unsure? Contact us

If you have any further questions, phone the sponsorship and employers' helpline on 0300 123 4699.