A sponsor licence is the Home Office permission an employer needs before it can sponsor someone from overseas on routes such as Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility.
Licence types and fees
There are two main types: a Worker licence and a Temporary Worker licence. The fee depends on the type and on the size of your organisation.
| Licence | Small or charitable sponsor | Medium or large sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Worker | £611 | £1,682 |
| Temporary Worker | £611 | £611 |
| Worker and Temporary Worker | £611 | £1,682 |
| Add a Worker licence to an existing Temporary Worker licence | No fee | £1,071 |
| Add a Temporary Worker licence to an existing Worker licence | No fee | No fee |
Are you a small sponsor?
You are usually a small sponsor if at least 2 of these apply: annual turnover of £15 million or less, total assets of £7.5 million or less, 50 employees or fewer. Registered, excepted and exempt charities qualify as charitable sponsors.
How it works
- You apply online, then send in the submission sheet and any supporting documents the Home Office asks for.
- Most applications are decided in under 8 weeks. For an extra £750 you may be able to get a decision within 10 working days, though slots are limited.
- You must pay the licence fee yourself. Your licence may be revoked if you ask a sponsored worker to pay it or any costs linked to your application.
Costs and duties beyond the licence fee
Sponsoring a worker also involves certificates of sponsorship, the Immigration Skills Charge on some routes, named sponsorship management roles and ongoing duties as a sponsor. Budget for these before you apply, and check current amounts on GOV.UK.
Sources: GOV.UK UK visa sponsorship for employers.
Talk to a regulated adviser
Every route has its own traps. A specialist can check your plan before you commit time and money to it.
Business and private client firmsBrowse all solicitorsLast checked: 1 November 2026 against GOV.UK. General information, not legal advice. See our disclaimer.