How do I sponsor a migrant?
Tier 5 - creative and sporting worker
This page explains the duties you have as a sponsor under the tier 5 - creative and sports worker category of the points-based system.
On this page
Your sponsor duties when assigning a certificate of sponsorship for creative workers
If you sponsor creative workers in dance, theatre, film and television, you must follow the appropriate codes of practice produced by the sector, and agreed by us, when considering the needs of the resident labour market in those fields.
The certificates of sponsorship can include any rehearsal periods required. You must make sure that you assign certificates of sponsorship only for the time needed. We will take appropriate action against you, if we find on a compliance visit that a certificate has been assigned wrongly.
You may choose to assign a multiple entry certificate of sponsorship if there are engagements abroad.
You may also assign a group certificate of sponsorship where it is appropriate to do so.
Your sponsor duties when assigning a certificate of sponsorship for sporting workers
You must be able to prove that the migrant is internationally established at the highest level in their sport and/or that their employment will make a significant contribution to the development and operation of that particular sport in this country. Coaches must be suitably qualified to fulfil the role in question.
You must follow the Code of Practice for the particular sport, and the migrant must have an endorsement from the governing body for their sport, which confirms they meet the governing body's requirements to give their endorsement. The governing body must be recognised by us. Find a list of sports governing bodies.
A certificate of sponsorship may only be assigned in this category if the migrant:
- wants to enter the United Kingdom to work or perform in the relevant sector;
- is not intending to establish themselves in business in the United Kingdom;
- poses no threat to the resident labour force; and
- will comply with the conditions of their permission to stay and leave the United Kingdom when it expires.
Terms explained
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Certificate of sponsorship
This is a virtual document (a unique reference number) that an organisation gives to migrants they want to employ, and that the migrant uses when applying.under the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. Also known as confirmation of acceptance for studies.
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Resident labour market
The pool of workers who qualify as resident workers. A resident worker is a person who is a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or is legally settled in the United Kingdom with permission to work here.
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Resident labour market test
This is the process an employer must follow before employing a person who is not a permanent resident of the United Kingdom if he/she is first required to show that no resident worker could be found to take a job.