Register of Licensed Sponsors
Worker & Temporary Worker

What is the Register of Licensed Sponsors?

The Licensed Sponsor List shows UK employers who currently hold a Sponsor Licence and can sponsor employees via the relevant work routes such as the Skilled Worker visa, Global Business Mobility visa and more. This list is a public record released by the Home Office almost daily. It reflects the companies, their sponsorship rating, and the categories of workers they are licensed to issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to.

How Is It Different to Tier 2 Sponsor Licence List?

People often still refer to this list or visa route as the Tier 2 (General) visa. However, this route was replaced by the Skilled Worker visa on December 1, 2020. The change was part of the UK's new points-based immigration system introduced after the end of EU freedom of movement on December 31, 2020.

This change resulted in several key differences, including a lower minimum salary threshold and more flexibility for certain roles or qualifications. For example, the required skill level was reduced from RQF Level 6 to Level 3.

The change also made it easier to switch to the Skilled Worker route from certain routes, such as the Senior or Specialist Worker route without having to leave the country or wait for a cooling-off period. Furthermore, there were changes regarding Dependants joining Skilled Worker visa holders and their respective work and study rights.

It's important to note that UK visa routes are always subject to change, so we recommend checking government legislation or consulting with an Immigration Lawyer to ensure you are aware of the latest requirements at the time of application.

Benefits for Companies Being on the Sponsor List

Being listed as a Licenced Work Sponsor offers several advantages for companies. It not only demonstrates compliance with the UK's skilled worker legislation but also enhances competitiveness. For example, it allows companies to recruit skilled workers globally to fill shortage skills, expanding your talent pool beyond the UK.

By being registered as an employer authorised to sponsor foreign talent, companies have already completed a big part of the process of hiring international employees, which enables businesses to recruit faster, and could be seen as a competitive edge. Additionally, it opens the door to creating a more diverse workforce by bringing in individuals from different expertise, cultures and countries.

Getting Listed on the Sponsor Licence List

To be listed as a registered sponsor, companies must first apply for a Sponsor Licence. This licence allows you to issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) for long-term skilled or temporary transfer roles. To obtain a Sponsor Licence, companies must meet specific requirements, such as operating legally in the UK, having robust HR systems, and maintaining detailed records.

The process of preparing for and awaiting a decision on a Sponsor Licence application can take several months, so it’s advisable to apply early to ensure you can issue job offers promptly when suitable candidates become available.

While it’s possible to begin the recruitment process without being on the Sponsor Licence list, this poses a business risk. The timing of the licence application and the subsequent Worker or Temporary Worker Visa application must align with the availability of ideal candidates in the competitive market.

Sponsorship Ratings

The sponsorship rating system classifies companies based on your compliance with UK visa sponsorship regulations. When a company is first granted a Sponsor Licence, it is assigned an A-rating. Maintaining an A-rating requires the company to consistently meet all sponsorship licence duties.

If a company fails to fully comply with these duties, it may be downgraded to a B-rating. B-rated companies face restrictions, including the inability to issue new Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS), until they take corrective actions to restore their rating.

For prospective job seekers, this rating system provides valuable transparency, allowing them to identify companies that are compliant and capable of issuing a CoS promptly.

Permitted Visa Routes

Once companies successfully obtain a Sponsor Licence, you are authorized to issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) for specific visa routes. This classification is beneficial for job seekers, as it allows them to target companies that can sponsor roles aligned with their skills. The various visa routes for which companies may be authorized include:

• Skilled Worker, previously Tier 2 (General) Visa
• Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist Worker, previously Intra Company Transfer (ICT) Visa
• Global Business Mobility: UK Expansion Worker, previously Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa
• Global Business Mobility: Graduate Trainee
• Global Business Mobility: Secondment Worker
• Global Business Mobility: Service Supplier
• Creative Worker
• Charity Worker
• International Sportsperson
• Government Authorised Exchange
• Minister of Religion, previously Tier 2 Minister of Religion Visa
• Scale-up
• International Agreement
• Religious Worker
• Seasonal Worker

Jobs Eligible for Visa Sponsorship

Certain temporary and permanent jobs are eligible for sponsorship. To be eligible for sponsorship, jobs must be genuine vacancies that meet specific criteria defined under the respective visa category. For example:

• Jobs under the Skilled Worker visa route must meet a minimum salary threshold and be on the list of eligible occupations to be considered for sponsorship.
• Jobs under the Temporary Creative Worker route are eligible only for those meeting specific industry-related criteria - for example, making an internationally recognized contribution to their field, and must meet minimum salary requirements.

The Immigration Salary List, formerly known as the Shortage Occupation List, identifies jobs facing a national shortage and offers a reduced salary threshold for Skilled Worker visa applicants. If your occupation is on this list, you or your employer can qualify for a Skilled Worker visa with a salary lower than the standard requirement. This adjustment makes it easier for employers to fill these roles and provides more opportunities for skilled workers to work in the UK.

How to use the Sponsor Licence List

The Sponsor Licence list is a useful resource for workers seeking visa sponsorship in the UK, as it provides transparency on companies authorized to sponsor employees for eligible roles.

The list includes each organisation's legal name and address, allowing users to search by region. It also provides details about the type of licence the organization holds - whether it’s a Worker or Temporary Worker licence - and the specific visa routes they are permitted to sponsor.

QC Immigration has enhanced the data from the Home Office by adding website and social media links for each company. Our goal is to offer a tool that helps prospective employees identify companies seeking candidates whose skills match their needs.

Applicants can further refine their search by using filters to find companies by industry and location.

Please note that QC Immigration cannot help you find a job. QC Immigration can only support:

• individual clients who already have secured a job or job offer
• organisations who want to apply for a Sponsor Licence or planning for an employee's Visa sponsorship

If you are looking for a job which needs a sponsor, please consider speaking to a recruitment consultant as we are unable to help with your job search.

Apply for a Sponsorship Visa

To apply for a UK sponsorship visa, you must first secure a job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship from a qualifying UK employer. The employer must have a Sponsor License, allowing them to issue this certificate, which is essential for your visa application to the Home Office.

If applicable, you must meet the points-based requirements for eligibility. For instance, the UK’s immigration system for Skilled Worker Visas operates on a points-based system, requiring applicants to accumulate at least 70 points. These points are split into 50 mandatory or "non-tradeable" points and 20 "tradeable" points.

Your job role must satisfy several criteria, including:

• Meeting minimum salary thresholds
• Being listed as an eligible occupation

Additionally, you will need to meet various individual criteria, such as:

• Demonstrating English language proficiency
• Holding specific qualifications
• Possessing relevant work experience
• Meeting minimum financial requirements

Once you have met all these requirements, you can proceed with your Work visa application, such as for a Skilled Worker visa.

The time needed to complete the process varies depending on whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK and whether the Home Office requires additional information or evidence.

QC Immigration can assist companies and individuals in preparing well-structured applications that comply with Home Office rules and legislation, thereby improving your chances of a successful outcome.

Sponsor Licence & Visa Application Support

If your business requires help with applying for a sponsor license, or if you’re an individual with a secured job offer and ready to apply for a UK visa, QC Immigration is here to assist.

With extensive experience in guiding companies and employees through the UK visa process, we offer support at every stage.

Please note: For individual applications, we only assist those who have already secured a job offer. If you’re still searching for a job, we suggest contacting a recruitment agency, as we do not offer job search services.