If your Manchester business needs to recruit skilled workers from outside the UK, you must first obtain a sponsor licence from the Home Office. Whether you run a restaurant in Longsight, a care home in Stockport, a construction company in Bolton, or a tech startup in Manchester city centre, the process is the same. As experienced immigration solicitors in Manchester, MCR Solicitors helps businesses across Greater Manchester obtain and maintain their sponsor licences.
What Is a Sponsor Licence?
A sponsor licence is a permission granted by the Home Office that allows UK employers to employ workers from outside the UK on certain visa routes, primarily the Skilled Worker visa and Health and Care Worker visa. Without a sponsor licence, you cannot legally hire someone who requires visa sponsorship.
Eligibility Requirements
To obtain a sponsor licence, your business must:
- Be a genuine organisation operating lawfully in the UK
- Not have any unspent criminal convictions for immigration offences or certain other offences
- Have appropriate HR systems to monitor sponsored workers
- Be able to offer genuine employment that meets the skill and salary requirements
How to Apply for a Sponsor Licence
Step 1: Gather Supporting Documents
You will need to provide four documents from a specified list, which typically includes:
- HMRC employer PAYE reference (showing RTI submissions)
- Employer's liability insurance certificate
- VAT registration certificate
- Latest company accounts filed with Companies House
- Bank statements
- Premises lease or proof of trading address
Step 2: Complete the Online Application
The application is submitted online through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). You will need to appoint key personnel including an Authorising Officer, Key Contact, and Level 1 User.
Step 3: Pay the Fee
- Small or charitable sponsors: £536
- Medium or large sponsors: £1,476
Step 4: Home Office Compliance Visit
The Home Office may conduct a pre-licence compliance visit to verify your documents and HR systems. Businesses in Gorton, Levenshulme, and across Manchester should be prepared for this visit at any time.
Ongoing Compliance Duties
Once you hold a sponsor licence, you must comply with strict duties:
- Record keeping — maintain copies of right-to-work documents, contact details, and attendance records
- Reporting duties — notify the Home Office within 10 working days of changes such as the worker not turning up, their salary changing, or their employment ending
- Cooperating with the Home Office — allow compliance officers access to your premises
Failure to comply can result in licence suspension, downgrading, or revocation. Our immigration lawyers in Manchester provide ongoing compliance support and training for your HR team.
Assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship
Once licensed, you assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to each worker you wish to sponsor. The CoS includes details of the job, salary, and the worker's personal information. There is an additional cost of £239 per CoS for Skilled Worker applications.
Why Manchester Businesses Choose MCR Solicitors
As one of the most experienced Manchester law firms in immigration, MCR Solicitors offers:
- End-to-end sponsor licence applications
- Compliance audits and training for existing licence holders
- CoS assignment and worker visa application support
- Licence renewal and rating upgrade assistance
- Representation during Home Office compliance visits
We understand the challenges facing businesses in Longsight, Gorton, Levenshulme, Stockport, and Bolton when it comes to recruiting international talent.
Get Started Today
Contact our immigration solicitors in Manchester for a free initial consultation about your sponsor licence needs. Call 0161 466 1280 or email [email protected].
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