How to find out if an employer has a UK sponsor license

For migrants applying under the Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility (GM) routes for a UK visa, one of the mandatory requirements is to have a so-called ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ (CoS) for the job they are planning to do. The CoS is issued by the employer.

A CoS can only be assigned if the employer has a sponsor licence from the UK authorities allowing them to sponsor foreign workers. The employer should be an A-rated sponsor on the Home Office’s Register of Licensed Sponsors under the appropriate route. A Skilled Worker or GBM visa application cannot be submitted without a validly assigned CoS.

For someone who has already identified their employer and has received a job offer from a UK company, the most straightforward way to confirm that the employer has a sponsor licence is to speak to them about your visa requirements.

For an overseas individual who is looking for jobs with a sponsored employer, and is wondering who is qualified to sponsor them, they could refer to the Home Office’s online register. The register lists licensed sponsors with details, such as the organisation name, the region they operate in, type and rating of their sponsorship license, and the category of workers they are licensed to sponsor.

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, 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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