Can I use priority service for a Sponsor Licence application?

The pre-licence priority service allows organisations to expedite their application for a Sponsor Licence by paying an additional fee when they submit their online application.

If you are a UK employer looking to sponsor overseas nationals in the UK, having a Sponsor Licence in place is the necessary first step.

You can apply for the pre-licence priority service in most cases when applying for a Sponsor Licence. This gives the employer the ability to request a fast-track decision on their application. The pre-licence priority service is not, however, currently available for licence applications under the Global Mobility: Expansion Worker category.

The standard processing time for sponsor licence applications is 8 weeks, whilst the priority service provides for an application to be considered within 10 working days. However, if your application is complex or extra checks are required, you may not receive an outcome within this time frame.

The priority service is available between 09:00 and 23:59 Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays, and there are a maximum of 30 priority service requests available each day. As such, applications are treated on a first-come-first-served basis.

Previously, the applying organisation and/or their immigration advisor would need to send an email to UKVI confirming submission of the licence application and attach a priority service application form. From 23 June 2023, however, this process has been amended and the applying organisation will now need to request the priority service via their online Sponsor Licence application, and not via email. This should  streamline the process, as there will no longer be a delay between requesting the priority service and receiving a response from the priority service team notifying you that your request has been successful.

The current cost of the pre-licence priority service is £500. This is in addition to your application fee for a Sponsor Licence.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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