Documents required for a sponsor licence and Skilled Worker visa and where to obtain the documents from

Obtaining a sponsor licence to proceed with hiring global talent is a process. Not only is a sponsor licence required, but potential candidates that fit the job description will have to possess a Skilled Worker visa to lawfully be employed in the UK.

Certain documents are mandatory when applying for a sponsor licence and a Skilled Worker visa. Once the relevant documents are submitted, they will be thoroughly inspected by officials to assess eligibility.

Failure to provide the required documents or submitting documents that don’t meet the guidelines will result in sponsor licence application rejection or visa refusal.

Being familiar with the documents required to obtain a sponsor licence and Skilled Worker visa and acquiring them from the relevant authorities can make the process smoother.

What’s the mandatory documentation required to obtain a sponsor licence?

A minimum of four of the specified mandatory documents must be submitted to obtain a sponsor licence:

Business bank statements over three months or a letter from the bank stating all financial dealings.
Proof that the employer possesses the employer’s liability insurance cover of at least £5 million from an authorised insurer.
VAT registration certificate to confirm the date of registration, and the VAT registration number can be found online as soon as the registration is processed by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Evidence of registration as an employer with HMRC.
The latest filed accounts or unaudited accounts can be obtained from a company accountant or auditor—filed accounts are mandatory if the company is legally obliged to file audited accounts.
Evidence of registration if the business is required to be registered with a regulatory body.

What’s the purpose of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship?

Once the relevant documents for a sponsor licence are submitted and processed, a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is required to proceed with obtaining a Skilled Worker visa.

An employer must always issue a CoS to each foreign employee. This electronic document possesses a unique number which is mandatory when applying for a Skilled Worker visa.

A CoS can be applied for through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS), which can be accessed after acquiring the sponsor licence.

What’s the mandatory documentation required to obtain a Skilled Worker visa?

Submitting the following documents is extremely crucial when it comes to hiring talent from all parts of the world while adhering to the law:

Proof of knowledge of the English language is a must—the IELTS academic certificate or an Occupation English Test (OET) can be used as a form of proof.
A valid passport or any other official document that clearly states the identity and nationality of the potential candidate.
The official job title and annual salary must be stated and should align with the information on the CoS.
Name of the employer and sponsor licence number as stated in the CoS.
If the employee is from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, or is from the mentioned countries but doesn’t have a biometric passport with a chip in it, a blank passport page is required.

What additional documentation may be required to obtain a Skilled Worker visa?

Bank statements to prove sufficient funds in the form of personal funds that can be used to live in the UK.
Birth certificates or marriage certificates when applying with a partner or children to show proof of relationship.
A criminal record certificate may be required in some cases depending on the scope of work—this can be obtained by applying for a criminal records check in the employee’s country or relevant embassy in the UK.
A tuberculosis clearance certificate is required if an employee is from a listed country—this can be obtained from a Home Office-approved clinic.
A valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if the job involves researching a sensitive subject at a PhD level or higher, which can be obtained through an online application.
A PhD certificate from the UK or a unique Ecctis reference number, formerly known as UK NARIC reference number, if the qualification is obtained outside the UK.

Consult Nation.better for support and guidance

The process of applying for a sponsor licence, obtaining a certificate of sponsorship, and making sure that a potential candidate meets the requirements to possess a Skilled Worker visa is a lengthy one.

Thankfully, platforms like Nation.better assist those who are uncertain about how and where to begin, by simplifying the process of obtaining a sponsor licence, ensuring sponsorship compliance, and helping candidates obtain Skilled Worker visas.

Documents required for a sponsor licence and Skilled Worker visa and where to obtain the documents from