Securing a sponsor licence for restaurants and hotels is a pivotal step for UK hospitality businesses aiming to recruit skilled workers from overseas. This comprehensive guide outlines the process, specific considerations for the hospitality sector, compliance obligations, and recent developments affecting sponsorship as of April 2025.
A sponsor licence UK is official permission granted by the UK Home Office that allows a UK-based employer to hire and sponsor foreign workers under work visa routes, such as the Skilled Worker visa. To obtain a sponsor licence UK, a business must prove it is a genuine and lawfully operating organisation, meet the outlined requirements, and show that it's capable of meeting strict compliance and reporting duties. Once licensed, the employer can assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to eligible workers who then can apply for the Skilled Worker visa.
Hospitality businesses, such as restaurants, pubs, or hotels, are among the companies that can apply for a sponsor licence, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and offer qualifying roles.
To qualify for a sponsor licence, your hospitality business must:
These roles are critical for maintaining sponsor licence compliance and ensuring adherence to all sponsorship duties.
Learn the details about sponsor licence requirements and eligibility criteria in our blog.
Refer to our sponsor licence guidance for a comprehensive list of required documents.
3. Pay Application Fee: As of April 2025, the fee is £574 for small businesses and charities, and £1,579 for larger organisations.
Are you a small or a large UK sponsoring organisation? Learn the criteria in our guide.
4. Await Decision: Processing typically takes up to 8 weeks. A priority service may be available for an additional fee, expediting the decision to within 10 working days.
In the hospitality industry, certain roles are eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa. The table below outlines some of the relevant Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes, job titles, and associated salary thresholds as of April 2025:
SOC Code | Job Title |
1221 | Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors |
1222 | Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors |
1223 | Publicans and managers of licensed premises |
5434 | Chefs |
5432 | Bakers and flour confectioners |
5436 | Catering and bar managers |
See the full list of Skilled Worker visa eligible occupations here.
Holding a sponsor licence entails ongoing responsibilities to maintain compliance with Home Office regulations:
More information about sponsor duties and compliance – in our comprehensive guide.
A sponsor licence for restaurants or hotels may be suspended if you fail to meet sponsor licence compliance requirements.
Maintaining compliance with UK sponsorship duties is a critical yet complex task for businesses employing international talent. The consequences of failing to meet these responsibilities can be severe, from penalties to the loss of your sponsor licence.
If your licence is revoked, all Skilled Worker visa holders under your sponsorship may lose their immigration status. This is why robust preparation, training, and continuous internal review of your sponsor duties and compliance are critical — especially in the fast-paced hospitality sector.
With Nation.better’s sponsorship compliance services, our team of immigration specialists ensures you meet all your obligations seamlessly. From record-keeping to audits, we handle the details, so you can focus on growing your business.
If you need support with compliance, fill in this form , and our team will provide a tailored solution on how we can help safeguard your sponsorship status.
Applying for a sponsor licence hospitality business-wide gives UK employers access to a global talent pool. For many, especially those operating in areas with ongoing shortages of trained staff, such as chefs and restaurant managers, securing a UK sponsor licence is an operational necessity.
When done correctly, sponsorship offers several benefits: