If your UK based business is looking to hire workers from outside the UK, obtaining a sponsor licence is an important step in the process. There are many different types of Sponsor Licences and the type of licence you apply for depends on the nature of the roles you need to fill and your business’s requirements.
We will look at an overview of the most common types of sponsor licences, the type of business each is suitable for and the general criteria for each.
In this article:
The Worker Sponsor Licence is the most common type of licence for UK businesses seeking to hire skilled workers from outside the UK.
What type of business/ organisation is the sponsor licence suitable for?
The Skilled Worker Visa Licence is designed for businesses hiring international employees in roles that require specific skills, knowledge, and experience.
Key features of the Sponsor Licence
To qualify, the job must meet the following criteria:
There are certain circumstances where skilled workers can be paid less than the general salary threshold:
Short term or long term?
The Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence allows businesses to sponsor a skilled worker for up to 5 years. Thereafter, the Skilled Worker can apply for settlement in the UK.
The Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence is therefore suitable for businesses who wish to hire Skilled Workers on a long term basis.
What type of business/ organisation is the sponsor licence suitable for?
This licence is suitable for multinational businesses that need to temporarily transfer staff members to the UK to carry out work assignments and require a smooth transition between jurisdictions.
It is also suitable for overseas businesses with plans to expand to the UK market and require trusted team members to carry out and oversee the expansion in the UK.
Key Features of the Global Mobility Sponsor Licence
The Global Business Mobility Licence sponsors workers on the 5 Global Business Mobility Routes which are :
The UK business must show a business link with the overseas business that will be sending the workers. For the senior or specialist worker and the graduate trainee routes, this is usually evidenced by a common ownership or control of the businesses or by a joint venture agreement. For the Service Supplier and Secondment Worker routes this is via “eligible” contract. If the overseas business is seeking a UK expansion worker then it must show that it has a UK “footprint” and credible plans expand to the UK.
Short term or long term?
None of the GBM routes lead to settlement for the sponsored workers. In fact, the Graduate trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker visas are classified as Temporary Worker routes.
The length of time the workers are allowed to remain in the UK depends on the GBM route they are on:
GBM Route | Maximum continuous residence | Maximum cumulative period |
Senior or specialist worker | 5 years initially up to a maximum cumulative period | 9 years in any 10 year period if high earner, otherwise 5 years in any 6 year period |
Graduate trainee | 1 year at a time up to a maximum cumulative period | 5 years in any 6 year period |
UK Expansion Worker | 2 years | 5 years in any 6 year period |
Service Supplier | Up to 6 or 12 months per assignment | 5 years in any 6 year period |
Secondment Worker | 2 years | 5 years in any 6 year period |
The Global Business Mobility Licence is therefore suitable where your foreign workers do not wish to remain in the UK permanently.
What type of business/ organisation is the sponsor licence suitable for?
The Scale-up Sponsor Licence is for UK Scale-ups that wish to employ talented individuals who have the skills needed to enable the business to continue to grow.
Key Features of the Scale-up Sponsor Licence
Your business will meet the definition of a “scale-up” if it can demonstrate a sustained period of growth in one of two ways:
Short term or long term?
The Scale-up Sponsor licence allows businesses to sponsor Scale-up Workers for 6 months. After this your sponsor duties will end automatically. The Scale-up worker can choose to continue to work with you as an unsponsored Scale-up worker or they can leave to work with another employer.
This licence is ideal for scale-up businesses which need to hire talent for a short-term period i.e. to undertake a specific project, to take their business to the next level.
What type of business/ organisation is the sponsor licence suitable for?
This licence allows is for employers in poultry and horticulture production who need workers in this field to come to the UK to undertake seasonal work.
Key Features of the Seasonal Worker Sponsor Licence
To be eligible to apply for a licence to sponsor Seasonal Workers you must be an overarching body (scheme operator) which is:
Short term or long term?
This licence is ideal for employers in the horticulture and poultry industries that need extra hands during peak seasons.
The Seasonal Worker Sponsor licence allows employers to hire workers for up to 6 months.
What type of business/ organisation is the sponsor licence suitable for?
The Creative Worker Visa is for businesses in the arts and entertainment sectors, such as theatres, film studios, or music production companies. It allows hiring for short-term roles in creative fields, such as actors, dancers, musicians, and artists.
Key Features of the Seasonal Worker Sponsor Licence
The Creative Worker Licence allows businesses operating in the creative industry to hire for short-term roles in creative fields, such as actors, dancers, musicians, and artists.
The Home Office understands that, in the creative sector, the sponsor may not always be the employer of the creative worker. Where this is the case, the sponsor is the business willing to take responsibility for the Creative Worker and will be subject to the sponsor duties.
Short term or long term?
This licence allows employers to sponsor workers for short term engagements only, generally up to 12 months, though the stay can be extended up to 24 months in certain cases.
The licence is therefore particularly useful for short tours, performances, or short-term creative projects.
What type of business/ organisation is the sponsor licence suitable for?
The Charity Worker Sponsor Licence is a specific type of sponsor licence that allows UK-based charitable organizations to sponsor non-UK nationals for voluntary, unpaid roles in the UK. It enables these organizations to bring in individuals for short-term charity work, contributing to various projects or causes without engaging in paid employment.
Key Features of the Seasonal Worker Sponsor Licence
The roles sponsored under this licence must be voluntary and unpaid. This means that the charity worker should not receive any payment beyond reasonable expenses to cover their subsistence and travel.
The worker’s primary purpose for being in the UK must be to contribute to the charitable activities of the sponsoring organization, rather than seeking paid employment.
The charity must not use the Charity Worker route to sponsor workers who will be doing mainly routine activities, such as:
Or to fill a permanent position. If the charity requires this, it is best to apply for a skilled worker sponsor licence.
Short term or long term?
The Charity Worker Sponsor Licence allows the charity to sponsor a Charity Worker for a maximum of 12 months.
When applying for a sponsor licence, it’s essential to understand the specific needs of your business and the type of roles you intend to fill.
Understanding the different types of sponsor licences is key to ensuring a smooth recruitment process when hiring international talent. Whether your business needs long-term skilled workers, temporary staff, or specialists from an overseas branch, choosing the correct licence can help you meet your staffing needs and ensure compliance with UK immigration laws.
If you’re uncertain which licence suits your needs, consulting with our Sponsor Licence experts can streamline the application process and help you navigate the complexities of UK immigration law.
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