Applying for a sponsor licence

Most organisations must provide at least four supporting documents, which may include:

• Proof of business premises
• Employer’s liability insurance certificate
• Recent business bank statement
• HMRC registration documents (PAYE/VAT)
• Registration with relevant autotries

This is not an exhaustive list and further specific documents and information are required and thus the precise documents depend on the structure, age, and activities of the business. Our specialist UK sponsor licence lawyers will be able to advise your further on the requirements.

Every sponsor licence must nominate three mandatory Key Personnel roles – individuals responsible for managing the licence and communicating with the Home Office. As your solicitor, we cannot be the nominated Authorising Officer, however we can act as the Key Contact and Level 1 User and therefore can manage the day-to-day management of your sponsor licence.

Global Business Mobility routes offer several advantages for businesses that need to deploy overseas staff quickly. Unlike the Skilled Worker route, Global Business Mobility visa applicants are not required to meet any English‑language requirement, making the process faster and more accessible for international staff. Global Business Mobility is often preferred for short‑term assignments, project‑based deployments, training placements or transferring specialist knowledge where long‑term settlement is not needed.

Historically, sponsor licences were granted for four years and employers had to apply for renewal. However, the Home Office has now removed the automatic expiry system, meaning sponsor licences no longer expire in the same way. Instead, your licence will remain valid indefinitely, provided your organisation continues to meet all sponsorship duties and maintains compliant HR systems.

While there is no longer a renewal application or expiry date, the Home Office can still suspend, downgrade or revoke a licence if compliance obligations are not met.