UK Border Agency | The application process

How do I sponsor a migrant?

The application process

This page explains how you get a licence to sponsor migrants under the points-based system, and the process for applying.

Immigration limit for Tier 2 (General) of the points-based system

From 19 July 2010, the government is introducing a limit on applications under Tier 2 (General) of the points-based system.

Which sponsor licences can you apply for?
If you already have a sponsor licence
The process for applying

You must apply for a licence if you want to employ migrant workers under the points-based system. In doing so, you agree to meet a number of sponsorship duties.

Which sponsor licences can you apply for?

You can apply for licences to sponsor migrants in Tiers 2, 4 and 5.

You can apply for licences for the following categories in Tier 2:

Tier 2 (General) - for skilled workers
Tier 2 (Intra company transfer)
Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
Tier 2 (Minister of religion)

You can apply for licences for the following categories in Tier 4:

Tier 4 (General) for adult students
Tier 4 (Child)

You can apply for licences for the following categories in Tier 5:

Tier 5 (Temporary worker - Creative and sporting)
Tier 5 (Temporary worker - Charity worker)
Tier 5 (Temporary worker - Religious worker)
Tier 5 (Temporary worker - International agreement)
Tier 5 (Temporary worker - Government authorised exchange)

If you already have a sponsor licence

If you already have a sponsor licence in one tier or more, and you want to sponsor migrants in additional tiers, you must apply again using the sponsor application online. You must provide your sponsor licence number where asked, and you must select the tiers, categories and sub-categories that you want to add. You will need to send in any additional mandatory documents that may be required, and may need to pay an additional fee.

See the section on costs to find out what fee you must pay, and supporting evidence to find out which additional documents you may need to send.

The process for applying

The process for applying is:

Register online with your name and email address.
Read all the information in Applying for a licence and the policy guidance.
Fill in the online application - you can download a copy of the sponsor application form (PDF 459KB opens in a new window) to help you prepare your application.
Complete your application online, print off your submission sheet and send it to us with your fee and supporting documents.
If you are applying for a Tier 2 (General) licence, we will initially allocate you zero certificates of sponsorship. To request an allocation of certificates, you must use the request form which you can download from the right side of this page. You can send us the request form before we have processed your application. However, if you do not initially need any certificates but are planning to issue some in the future, you should wait and send us the request form at the relevant time. The addendum to our sponsor guidance explains how to complete the request form.
We process your sponsor application, making any checks that are necessary.
We notify you of our decision.
If we give you a sponsor licence, your organisation name and rating are published on our register of sponsors.
If you are a Tier 4 (General) sponsor, you can apply to be a Highly Trusted sponsor. For more information about the benefits and how to apply, see the Highly Trusted Sponsor Scheme section.

If we give you a licence and an allocation of certificates of sponsorship, you will be able to issue these certificates using the sponsorship management system.

If you have a specific query about your particular application, contact our sponsor licensing unit. You can find the unit's contact details on the right side of this page.

For general advice on sponsorship, contact our sponsorship and employers' helpline. You can find the helpline's details on the right side of this page.