How do I sponsor a migrant?
Supporting evidence you must send
This section explains the documents you should provide to support your application for a licence to sponsor migrants under the points-based system.
Changes to sponsor guidance for Tiers 2, 4 and 5
Changes to sponsor guidance for Tiers 2, 4 and 5
On this page
Mandatory documents
Certain documents are always required. We call these mandatory documents. These are shown in list A of Appendix A of the full policy guidance. We will refuse your application if you do not provide the appropriate mandatory documents.
Primary documents with exceptions
The documents in list B of Appendix A of the full policy guidance are required (mandatory) for certain types of organisation in certain sectors. We will refuse your application if you do not provide the appropriate mandatory documents.
Secondary documents
The documents in list C of Appendix A of the full policy guidance can be provided in addition to the mandatory documents but cannot replace the mandatory documents.
Sending original documents
You must send the original documents or certified copies. A certified copy is one that includes a signed statement, either by the issuing authority or by a solicitor or notary, confirming that it is an accurate copy of the original document. Any documents that we request to see that are not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation. The translator's credentials should be provided, along with their official confirmation that the translation is accurate.
We reserve the right to ask for original documents.
Missing documents
If you do not provide us with all the documents needed when you apply, we write to you to ask for the necessary documents. If the missing documents are not sent within the time allowed, we will refuse your application.
How we return your documents
We return the documents to you by recorded delivery to the address given on the application. If you want the documents to be returned by special delivery, you should enclose a prepaid special delivery envelope.
Additonal documents
We make ask for further documents if we doubt whether your organisation meets the requirements for the category in which you have applied.
List of supporting documents
You should read the list of supporting documents in Appendix A of the full policy guidance of the Guidance for sponsor applications. It tells you what supporting documents you should send.
To use the list, you should:
- choose your type of organisation;
- read the guidance, which gives you further instructions on the types of documents your organisation needs to send; and
- find out what mandatory documents, primary documents with exceptions, and secondary documents you must send.
Terms explained
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Mandatory documents
Documents that you must send with your application.
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Working days
Monday to Friday are counted as working days. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are not counted as working days. Ten working days may be two weeks or less, depending on where the weekends fall.