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How do I sponsor a migrant worker?

An interview panel

Employing migrants

This section explains how you can employ migrants, including the codes of practice for Tier 2 that you must use when completing a resident labour market test or employing migrants from the shortage occupation list. It also explains how to issue and cancel certificates of sponsorship under the points-based system.

In this section:

You can create and assign certificates of sponsorship using the sponsorship management system.

See the section on costs to find out the fees for certificates of sponsorship.

Annual limit on Tier 2 (General)

For each of the years from 6 April 2012 to 5 April 2013 and 6 April 2013 to 5 April 2014, there will be 20,700 restricted certificates of sponsorship available to Tier 2 (General) sponsors. You can read more about restricted and unrestricted certificates of sponsorship.

If you assign an unrestricted certificate to a migrant for a restricted job, we will revoke your sponsor licence.

Sponsoring migrant workers aged under 18

Under Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009, the UK Border Agency must have regard to the need to safeguard children and to promote their welfare.

You must ensure that all children aged under 18 working in the UK have suitable care arrangements in place for their travel, their reception on arrival in the UK and their living arrangements while in the UK, as well as parental consent to these arrangements. If you fail to do this, we will immediately revoke your licence.

If you want to employ children aged under 16, you must obtain a licence from the local education authority (LEA) in the area where they will work.