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Sponsor Licences

Sponsor Licence for UK Businesses

Award-Winning Lawyers Helping You Secure a Sponsor Licence in the UK

Understanding and complying with UK immigration law is essential for businesses looking to hire skilled talent from abroad. At IMD Corporate, we specialise in assisting companies with obtaining a sponsor licence, ensuring full compliance with Home Office requirements. Our dedicated team of experienced immigration lawyers offers expert advice and tailored solutions to meet your specific business needs.

Sponsor Licence Services

Application Assistance
  • Initial consultation
  • Application preparation
  • Compliance checks
  • Managing audits and Home Office interactions
  • Rejection handling
 Licence Management
  • Trainings on sponsor duties
  • Consultations
  • Policy development
Licence Revocation or Suspension
  • Mitigation strategies
  • Decision challenges
  • Reapplication assistance
Strategic Advice
  • Change of ownership of your business and its impact on sponsor licence
  • Strategic global mobility planning
  • Visa category guidance (Skilled Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker, Temporary Worker)
  • Risk management and legal compliance

Why Choose IMD Corporate?

Our bespoke services, clear communication, and timely results are designed to support your business goals. We work with companies of all sizes across various sectors, ensuring that the sponsor licence process is smooth and effective. Our commitment is to your success, providing comprehensive support from application to ongoing compliance.

Get in Touch

Contact us today to discuss your sponsor licence requirements.

Get in touch with our business immigration lawyers and call 0330 107 0106 to arrange a free no no-obligation call or request a free quote.

Success Stories – Our Business Immigration Expertise

  • We advised a Scandinavian company specialising in maintenance and repairs of bridges, power plants, and wind turbines on UK immigration rules pertaining to sponsor licences and visas, facilitating their expansion into the UK market.
  • We supported a construction company in its application for a sponsor licence in the UK, ensuring compliance with immigration regulations.
  • We secured a sponsor licence for a financial sector company, ensuring they could hire skilled overseas talent.
  • We advised one of the largest Polish public companies operating in a construction sector on the UK immigration rules following the Brexit. 
  • We advised and acting on behalf employees of a Polish construction company who applied for frontier worker permits in the UK. 

Our Awards and Accreditations

As a multi-award-winning UK law firm, IMD Corporate is renowned for its expertise. Our Team has been recognised with numerous prestigious national awards reflecting our deep commitment to legal excellence and client commercial success. Explore our Awards and Accreditations section to discover the full spectrum of our UK legal industry recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sponsor Licence

1. What is a Sponsor Licence?

A Sponsor Licence is permission granted by the UK Home Office to an organisation, enabling them to hire (sponsor) foreign workers to work legally in the UK.

2. Why do I need a Sponsor Licence?

If you wish to employ workers from outside the UK, you must have a Sponsor Licence to legally hire them under the UK immigration law.

3. Who can apply for a Sponsor Licence?

Any UK-based organisation that meets the eligibility criteria can apply, including businesses, educational institutions, charities, government bodies, and other legitimate organisations.

4. What are the eligibility criteria for obtaining a Sponsor Licence?

To qualify, your organisation must be legitimate and based in the UK, have appropriate HR and recruitment processes, and be able to comply with sponsorship duties set out by the Home Office. You cannot have unspent criminal convictions for immigration offences or certain other crimes, such as fraud or money laundering, and had a sponsor licence revoked in the last 12 months.

5. How do I apply for a Sponsor Licence?

The application process involves completing an online form, providing supporting documents, and demonstrating your organisation’s suitability and readiness to sponsor migrants.

6. How long does it take to process a Sponsor Licence application?

Processing times can vary, but typically, it takes several weeks to a few months for the Home Office to process and approve a Sponsor Licence application.

7. What happens if my Sponsor Licence application is approved?

Once approved, your organisation will be added to the Register of Sponsors and can start issuing Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to prospective employees.

8. What happens if my Sponsor Licence application is refused?

If your sponsor licence application is refused, you may have the right to request a review if you believe that:

a) A mistake was made by the caseworker.
b) Supporting documents were not considered.

You can then consider making a new application after so called “cooling-off period”.

9. Can a Sponsor Licence be revoked?

Yes, the Home Office can revoke a Sponsor Licence if the sponsoring organisation fails to comply with its duties or if there are serious breaches of immigration rules.

10. What are the responsibilities of a Sponsor Licence holder?

As a Sponsor Licence holder, you are responsible for complying with immigration laws (and wider UK law), maintaining records and reporting duties, and ensuring your behaviour is conducive to the public good.

11. How long does a Sponsor Licence last?

Home Office removed the requirement for organisations to apply to renew sponsor licence. It means that the licence will be valid as long as you meet the requirements.

12. Can IMD Corporate assist with applying for a Sponsor Licence?

Yes, IMD Corporate has extensive experience in business immigration matters, including helping organisations apply for and manage Sponsor Licences, and ensuring compliance with all Home Office requirements.

13. Can IMD Corporate provide ongoing support after obtaining a Sponsor Licence?

Yes, IMD Corporate offers comprehensive support beyond the initial application process. We provide guidance on compliance with sponsorship duties, assistance with managing your sponsored employees, and support in case of audits or inspections by the Home Office.

14. Where can I get more information about Sponsor Licences?

For more detailed guidance and to discuss your specific needs, please contact us directly. We’re here to assist you through every step of the Sponsor Licence process.
You may also wish to visit the UK government’s official guidance page on Sponsor Licences: UK Visa Sponsorship for Employers.

Want to know more?

Read some of our articles below or call us at 0330 107 0106 in order to arrange a free no no-obligation call or request a free quote.

Get in touch with our business immigration lawyers in the UK and call us on 0330 107 0106 to arrange a free no no-obligation call or request a free quote.

Jarmila Entezari

Senior Associate View profile
Key contact

Marcin Durlak

Managing Partner View profile

Marcelo Reale

Consultant Solicitor View profile

Evgenia Kabanova

Consultant View profile

Alicja Bielawska

Trainee Solicitor View profile

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Why come to us?

Tailored solutions. IMD Corporate is a law firm built by people of different backgrounds and nationalities. We have immigrants among our lawyers. We understand your needs and customise our services to suit you. Whether you are expanding your workforce internationally or seeking visas, our solutions are designed to align with your business goals or chosen career path.

Clear communication. We do not use legal jargon, and as a team of UK based international business immigration lawyers, we are often able to communicate in your native language. We are transparent when it comes to fees, budget planning, and timescales. We keep you informed at every step of the process, providing clarity on the status of your application.

Clients are our focus. Our commercially focused approach will help us find the best solution for you. At IMD Corporate we believe in getting the job done and working to the deadlines and budgets set. Our immigration lawyers work effectively to ensure that your interests are protected.

International Client focus. Our immigration law practice is focused on International Clients seeking guidance on global mobility strategy. We understand the challenges a foreign business or individual is facing and know how to guide you through the process.

International partnerships. We have established strong partnerships with trusted legal professionals and immigration lawyers in key jurisdictions throughout Europe and worldwide, ensuring seamless and efficient approach to cross-border matters.

Testimonials

Our values and purpose

Diversity, respect, honesty, a
commitment to excellence
and above all in everything we do we care

Our purpose is to connect diverse communities and help minorities thrive.

  • 5000+

    Cases Concluded
  • 2007

    Delivering International Legal Services Since 2007
  • 18

    Network of Partners in 18 Countries
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    Average Client Rating
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    focus: Client

Awards and Accreditations



Our offices

London

IMD Solicitors LLP,
1st Floor,
63 St Mary Axe,
London ,
EC3A 8AA
(meetings by appointment only)

(0044) 203 195 8499

Manchester

IMD Solicitors LLP,
Suite 1N-C, 1st Floor,
Trafford House, Chester Rd,
Manchester,
M32 0RS
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(0044) 330 107 0107

Birmingham

IMD Solicitors LLP,
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Birmingham,
B1 1BD
(meetings by appointment only)

(0044) 121 366 8789