The key steps in applying for a sponsor licence are as follows:

Check Eligibility

To be eligible to get a sponsor licence as an employer, you cannot have:

· unspent criminal convictions for immigration offences or certain other crimes, such as fraud or money laundering;

· had a sponsor licence revoked in the last 12 months.

Appoint Key Personnel

You need to identify and appoint people within your business to manage the sponsorship process when you apply for a licence. The key personnel will have access to and operate the Sponsorship Management System (“SMS”). The roles are:

· Authorising Officer – a senior and competent person responsible for the actions of staff and representatives who use the SMS

· Key Contact – your main point of contact with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)

· Level 1 User – responsible for all day-to-day management of your licence using the SMS

Gather Supporting Documents

In support of your application, a minimum of 4 documents will need to be provided to the Home Office. These documents include: a business bank account statement, proof of ownership or lease of your business premises; insurance certificates; and the latest annual accounts.

Apply

The application is made by completing an online application form. There is a fee payable to the Home Office as part of the application. The processing time is usually up to 8 weeks. Subject to availability (and the payment of an additional fee to the Home Office), there is an optional priority service for faster processing, where a decision will usually be made within 10 working days. Details of current Home Office fees can be found here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table/home-office-immigration-and-nationality-fees-9-april-2025).

You’ll need to appoint key personnel to operate your Sponsor Management System, including:

• An Authorising Officer (a senior and competent person responsible for compliance)
• A Key Contact (your main point of contact with UK Visas and Immigration)
• A Level 1 User (responsible for day-to-day management of your licence)

Nexus Legal can act as your Level 1 User and manage your SMS on your behalf, ensuring that all reporting and compliance duties are met on time.

Your organisation must comply with strict record-keeping, monitoring, and reporting obligations. You must report any significant changes — such as an employee leaving, change of business address, or role amendments — within the prescribed timeframe. You must also ensure your HR systems can track attendance, right-to-work status, and visa expiry dates. Failure to comply may result in your licence being suspended or revoked.

Home Office processing times are usually up to 8 weeks. A priority service may be available (for an additional Home Office fee), providing a decision within 10 working days. Nexus Legal can ensure your application and documentation are prepared correctly from the outset to minimise delays.