Hiring international talent in the UK via the Skilled worker visa – or sponsorship – is known for being a confusing, time-consuming and “prone-to-error” process.
If you are an employer considering becoming a sponsor but don’t have in-house knowledge of the immigration process, this article will guide you on how organisations can obtain a sponsor licence, issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for their candidates, apply for the Skilled Worker visa, and maintain compliance with the UK Home Office requirements.
1. Obtain a Sponsor Licence
To hire a skilled worker, who requires a visa to work in the UK legally, a business needs to provide a so-called “sponsorship” to this individual. You must first apply for a sponsor licence and be approved by the Home Office. But before you do so, consider the following:
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for a licence, you should ensure that your business meets the eligibility criteria:
- Be a legitimate entity operating legally in the UK. Even if your business was established recently, it will not be an issue – however, it must be genuinely operational and be a “going concern”
- Have appropriate systems and processes in place to monitor sponsored employees and maintain accurate records before and after you become a sponsor
- Demonstrate that sponsorship will be offered for a genuine vacancy that meets the Skilled Worker visa criteria; prove that it wasn’t created for the sole purpose of securing an immigration status for a candidate
- Be able to nominate at least one director/office holder or a company employee who has British citizenship or settled status, is based in the UK, overlooks recruitment or HR processes in the company, and has no previous or ongoing troubles with the law.
Application Submission
The organisation will be required to:
- Provide at least 4 documents (for example, a bank statement, employer’s liability insurance, latest accounts, VAT registration, etc) to prove the business is genuine and capable of meeting sponsorship duties
- Fill out an online application form
- Pay the relevant application fees
However, it is not as straightforward as it seems. It is also recommended to accompany your application with a cover letter, providing more information about the business, your decision to become a sponsor, and the candidate(s) you plan on sponsoring.
By using Nation.better’s sponsor licence service , you can rely on our immigration experts to handle the entire process for you. Our mission is to make the experience stress-free while increasing your chances of obtaining Home Office approval.
2. Get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
After securing your sponsor licence, the next critical step in hiring international talent is to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The CoS is a digital record with a unique reference number that is required to complete the Skilled Worker visa application process.
There are two main types of CoS that employers need to be aware of:
- Defined CoS : this is intended for skilled workers who are applying for entry clearance from outside the UK. Typically, it is used for roles that offer a salary below £159,600 annually. Employers can request a defined CoS through the Home Office's Sponsorship Management System (SMS) , and once approved, it can be assigned to the chosen candidate.
- Undefined CoS : this type is for employees already in the UK under a different visa category. It is usually used to hire international employees earning more than £159,600 annually. When applying for your sponsor licence, you need to estimate how many undefined CoS you will require for the year. If your allocation runs out, additional CoS can be requested via the SMS.
Assigning a CoS involves specific fees depending on the visa route – for the Skilled Worker, the cost to assign a CoS is £199. The designated Level 1 user in your organisation will request and assign the CoS through SMS. It is important to remember that the CoS must be used by the employee to apply for their visa within three months of issuance, and they cannot apply more than three months before their employment start date
3. Apply for the Skilled Worker visa
Once you provide your candidate with the reference number of the Certificate of Sponsorship, they are responsible for applying for the Skilled Worker visa.
The prospective employee has to provide a list of documents to ensure they meet all the criteria set by the UK Home Office:
- Proof of English Language Proficiency : applicants must demonstrate their ability to communicate in English. This can be proven with an IELTS academic certificate, an Occupational English Test (OET), or equivalent qualifications that are recognized by the UK Home Office.
- Valid Passport or Identification : a current passport or other travel documents that confirm the applicant’s identity and nationality.
- Job Details and Salary Information : the application must include the official job title and annual salary, which must match the details on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This ensures the job meets the requirements set for the Skilled Worker visa category.
- Employer Information : the name of the employer and the sponsor licence number, as stated in the CoS, must be provided to verify the sponsoring organisation’s eligibility.
- Blank Passport Page : if the applicant is from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein and does not have a biometric passport, a blank page in their passport is needed for the visa.
Depending on individual circumstances, additional documentation may be necessary:
- Proof of Financial Support : bank statements may be required to show that the applicant has sufficient personal funds to support themselves upon arrival in the UK, especially if the employer is not covering this.
- Family Documents : if applying with dependants (a spouse and/or children), marriage or birth certificates must be provided to prove the relationship.
- Criminal Record Certificate : for certain job roles, a criminal record certificate might be necessary. This certificate can be obtained through a criminal records check in the applicant’s home country or via the relevant embassy in the UK.
- Tuberculosis (TB) Test Results : applicants from some countries must provide a TB clearance certificate, which must be obtained from a clinic approved by the Home Office.
- Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate : if the job involves working in sensitive research areas at the PhD level or above, an ATAS certificate may be required – it can be applied for online.
- Academic Qualification Evidence : for those using a PhD qualification obtained outside the UK to meet the job requirements, a PhD certificate or a unique Ecctis reference number (formerly known as UK NARIC reference number) is needed to validate the qualification.
Once all documents are gathered, the candidate should complete the online application form and pay the relevant visa fees. The application process also includes scheduling a biometrics appointment where the applicant will provide fingerprints and a photograph.
To avoid any delays or issues, it’s important to ensure all documents are accurate and complete. Nation.better can help you and your candidates streamline the Skilled Worker application process , eliminating rejection risks and helping you hire international talent at a faster rate.
4. Ensure Sponsorship Compliance
Once your employee has started their work, you must fulfil ongoing compliance duties, such as keeping accurate records and reporting any changes in the employee's circumstances to the Home Office. Ensuring compliance can be complex – if you find yourself in need of assistance, check out Nation.better's Sponsorship Compliance service.
This service includes:
- Regular Audits: conducting periodic audits to ensure compliance with Home Office requirements.
- Record Keeping: assistance with maintaining proper records of sponsored employees.
- Reporting Obligations: helping you stay on top of your reporting obligations to the Home Office.
Our Sponsorship Compliance service ensures that your business remains compliant with all sponsorship requirements, avoiding potential fines and penalties.
How Nation.better Can Help You
Securing a sponsorship licence and managing the associated responsibilities can seem daunting, but with the right support, it doesn't have to be. At Nation Better, we offer comprehensive services to guide you through every step of the process – from obtaining a sponsor licence and assisting with Skilled Worker visas for your candidates to ensuring your business remains compliant with sponsorship regulations.
Fill out this form , and our team will contact you with detailed information on how we can support your business in attracting top international talent.