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Which Businesses are Eligible for a Sponsor License?
To qualify for a UK sponsor licence, businesses must be authentic and legally established within the UK. Eligible business structures include Public Limited Companies (PLC), Limited Companies (Ltd), Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP), and Sole Traders. What this means is that businesses operating as unregistered sole traders or partnerships cannot apply for a sponsor license, though they may be part of a group structure managed by an eligible entity.
Businesses must ensure they have the necessary planning permission or consent from the Local Planning Authority to operate their specific type of business at their trading address. Start-ups are also eligible to apply for a sponsor licence, but if a business has been trading in the UK for less than 18 months, they are required to provide proof of an active corporate bank account with a UK-based bank that is registered with both the FCA and PRA.
Additional eligibility conditions may apply depending on the category of sponsor licence being sought. For instance, companies applying for a UK Expansion Worker sponsorship licence are required to have a UK ‘footprint,’ such as a branch or representative office, but they must not already have an active trading operation within the UK.
Other requirements for obtaining a sponsor licence as outlined by the Home Department include:
A genuine need for skilled workers from outside the UK
A clear understanding and ability to comply with sponsor duties
The necessary HR systems and processes in place to monitor sponsored employees’ activities and immigration status
No history of immigration non-compliance or criminal offences
Sufficient funds to cover any potential liabilities or fines
These are just some of the essential criteria that need to be fulfilled before being granted a Sponsor Licence. Our UK Sponsor License Application Solicitors can guide you through this process to ensure a smooth and successful application.
