SERVICES

Sponsor Licence Support for UK Businesses

Recruit overseas professionals where local hiring is difficult

[NOTE: This service is provided for UK businesses considering applying for a sponsor licence. We do not assist job seekers seeking visa sponsorship].

If your business is growing but you cannot find the right staff in the UK labour market, a Skilled Worker sponsor licence may allow you to recruit experienced professionals from overseas.

Many businesses assume sponsorship is only used by large corporations. In reality, a significant number of sponsor licence holders are small and medium-sized companies that need one or two specialist employees in order to grow.

A sponsor licence allows a UK business to legally employ overseas workers in eligible skilled roles, provided the job meets the required skill level and salary thresholds.

GB Visa & Immigration Services provides regulated immigration advice to help UK businesses obtain sponsor licences, recruit overseas professionals and maintain compliant systems that meet Home Office requirements.

While we are based in Scotland, we advise employers throughout the UK.

Who this service is for

This service is aimed at genuine, actively trading UK businesses that:

• are struggling to fill specialist roles through normal recruitment
• want to understand whether sponsorship is realistic for their business
• need practical guidance rather than complex government guidance
• want to ensure their systems would withstand a Home Office compliance audit

Many successful sponsor licence holders are engineering firms, technology companies, architecture practices and specialist manufacturers.

You do not need to be a large company to become a sponsor.

What kind of workers can you sponsor?

To recruit under the Skilled Worker route, the role must usually:

• appear on the Skilled Worker eligible occupations list
• meet the required skill level
• pay at or above the relevant salary threshold

Where those requirements are met, sponsorship can allow businesses to recruit experienced professionals internationally.

Examples of roles businesses often sponsor

These are examples of roles where sponsorship can be realistic if duties and salary meet the Skilled Worker requirements.

Technology and digital roles

• Software developers and engineers
• Web developers
• Data analysts and data engineers
• Network and systems administrators
• Cybersecurity specialists

Engineering and technical roles

• Mechanical engineers
• Electrical engineers
• Civil engineers
• Structural engineers
• CAD technicians
• Design engineers

Construction and architecture

• Architects
• Quantity surveyors
• Construction project managers
• Site managers

Business and specialist roles

• Accountants and finance managers
• Marketing specialists
• Business development managers
• Specialist chefs and senior hospitality managers

Healthcare and social care

• Registered nurses
• Senior care workers
• Care home managers
• Occupational therapists
• Physiotherapists

Education

• Secondary school teachers (for subjects such as maths, physics or computing)
• Further education lecturers
• Special educational needs teachers
• Language teachers

Life sciences and research

• Laboratory technicians
• Biomedical scientists
• Research scientists
• Clinical researchers

Logistics and supply chain

• Transport managers
• Supply chain managers
• Procurement specialists
• Logistics analysts

Creative and digital media

• Graphic designers
• Animation specialists
• Game developers
• Digital media specialists

Manufacturing and production

• Production managers
• Manufacturing engineers
• Quality control engineers
• Process engineers

Roles that are primarily low-skilled or casual, such as general labourers or retail assistants, are not eligible for sponsorship.

Why preparation matters

A sponsor licence allows businesses to recruit internationally, but it also creates ongoing compliance responsibilities.

Poor preparation can lead to licence refusal, increased Home Office scrutiny, or compliance inspections. In serious cases a licence may be suspended or revoked.

Our approach focuses on ensuring that applications are properly prepared and that businesses have simple, workable systems in place before the Home Office reviews them.

Employer services

Sponsor licence application support

From £950

Support for businesses applying for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence for the first time.

This service includes:

• assessing whether your business and roles qualify
• preparing a tailored document checklist
• guidance on appointing key personnel
• reviewing supporting evidence
• guidance through the online application process

(Home Office fees are separate.)

Sponsor licence compliance health check

From £650

For businesses that already hold a sponsor licence and want reassurance that their systems would withstand a Home Office compliance inspection.

This review includes:

• sponsored worker records
• right-to-work procedures
• HR documentation and record keeping
• Certificate of Sponsorship usage

Most reviews can be delivered remotely.

Skilled Worker visa application support

For licensed sponsors who are ready to recruit an overseas professional.

Support typically includes guidance on assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship, preparing the visa application and reviewing supporting documents.

Employer sponsorship consultation

A focused online consultation for business owners who want to understand whether sponsorship is realistic before starting a licence application.

• 30–40 minute online consultation
• discussion of your business and recruitment needs
• explanation of costs, duties and timelines
• written summary of recommended next steps