We have extensive experience in handling all immigration matters that your business requires, whether you are MNCs, business & management consultancies, software/ IT contractors, logistics industries, oil & gas companies, construction companies, food industries, NHS trust recruitment agencies, GP practices, telecommunication companies, pharmacies, Care Homes, religious/charitable organisations, clothing wholesale companies, export & import, jewelleries and also retail businesses.

We know the importance of employing the suitable candidates at your organisation in order to excel in international market. We have an excellent track record of successfully assisting businesses in this area of practice, which we attribute to our specialised team of lawyers who are able to offer services varying from strategic immigration planning to implementation, ensuring that you are guided each step under the applicable immigration rules throughout to ensure a smooth application process for you and your business.

​

An employer requires a sponsor licence to employ a skilled migrant worker from outside the UK including European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to work for your organisation in the UK.

​

An employer will be granted a sponsor licence with rating if the application is successful, and you will be able to assign certificates of sponsorship (CoS) if you have jobs that are eligible for sponsorship under the relevant occupational code. There are two types of certificates, namely Defined and undefined CoS. Defined is for the sponsor to recruit migrant workers from outside the UK and Undefined is for the sponsor to recruit migrant workers from within the UK. Usually, undefined CoS will be allocated when granting the licence and for Defined CoS a separate request is required to be made.

​

The sponsor licence will be valid for 4 years, but you may lose your licence if you do not meet your responsibilities or failed to comply with sponsor duties.

If an employer’s application is successful, the Home Office will provide you with a reference number (which acts as license) and activate their online account which is known as Sponsor Management System (SMS) and also be listed in the Home Office licence register. The Director or HR Manager can be appointed as the Level 1 user, key contact, and Authorising Officer to access the Sponsor Management System in order to assign your prospective employee(s) Certificate of Sponsorship (online document). You can appoint us as legal representatives on this licence. Once you have been allocated with the COS, you would be able to assign the Certificate (issue the work permit) to your prospective employee to claim points in order to qualify application for leave to remain/enter.

​

Under the skilled worker category, anyone coming to the UK to work will need to demonstrate that:

• they have a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor

• the job offer is at the required skill level – RQF 3 or above (A Level and equivalent)

• they speak English to the required standar

 

In addition to this, the job offer must meet the applicable minimum salary threshold. This is the higher of either:

• the general salary threshold set by Her Majesty’s Government on advice of the independent Migration Advisory Committee at £25,600.00 or

• the specific salary requirement for their occupation, known as the “going rate”

 

All applicants will be able to trade characteristics, such as their qualifications, against a lower salary to get the required number of points. If the job offer is less than the minimum salary requirement, but no less than £20,480.00 an applicant may still be eligible if they have:

• a job offer in a specific shortage occupation

• a PhD relevant to the job

• a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job

There are different salary rules for workers in certain health or education jobs, and for “new entrants” at the start of their careers.

 

Time frame

The Home Office estimates that it is currently taking about eight weeks to process a sponsor licence application from the date of submission of the application. The Sponsor Licensing Unit officers (SCOC) from UK Visas & Immigration would raise enquiries on the submitted application and also may conduct a pre-license visit to their business premises before they issue a license, this is in order to check their organisation’s trading presence in the UK.

Should you wish to employ skilled migrant workers from around the world then we are the right solicitors for you. Once we are instructed, we will advise/assist you before and during the Home Offices rigorous application process and do all the follow up work and keep you informed about the progress until the decision is reached on the above application.

 

Intra Company Licence

The sponsor company must show a direct link by common ownership or control with the overseas entities from which the sponsor company will bring migrants to the UK. Common ownership or control may be shown by one of the following. The Sponsor company must demonstrate that it is connected to the overseas entity by ‘common ownership or control’.

 

Document

A further document is required to evidence the common ownership and control between the overseas and UK entities. This may for example include a sworn affidavit by a senior executive or partner / Director identifying how the entities are linked, company accounts or the joint venture agreement.

 

The Process

This application can be submitted along with the Skilled worker category or a sperate online application can be submitted in order to add to the existing licence. Decisions on sponsor licence applications would generally receive within 8 weeks.

We have extensive experience in handling all immigration matters. To discuss about your organisation’s Sponsor licence application with one of our immigration Solicitors, please contact us on 01279 312185 or submit our enquiry form given below.