If you’re looking for a job in the UK that requires visa sponsorship, understanding sponsor licences is essential. A sponsor licence is the foundation of the entire UK work visa system — without one, no employer can legally hire you on a sponsored visa route. This detailed guide explains what sponsor licences are, how the rating system works, and exactly how to check any company’s licence status before you apply.
What is a UK Sponsor Licence?
A UK sponsor licence is an authorisation granted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) that permits an employer to sponsor foreign workers on specified visa routes. It is essentially the government’s seal of approval that an organisation has been vetted and is trusted to employ workers from outside the UK in compliance with immigration laws.
The licence system serves several important purposes. It ensures that only vetted, compliant organisations can access overseas labour markets. It creates accountability by placing specific duties on employers who sponsor foreign workers. And it provides a mechanism for UKVI to monitor and enforce compliance through the rating and revocation system.
Obtaining a sponsor licence is not trivial. Companies must demonstrate they are a genuine operating business, have robust HR and recruitment processes, can track and report on sponsored workers, have no history of immigration offences, and can pay the required sponsorship and immigration skills charge fees. The application process typically takes 8-12 weeks and involves substantial documentation.
Types of Sponsor Licences
There are two main categories of sponsor licence, and they cover different visa routes:
Worker Licence
This covers the main long-term employment routes:
- Skilled Worker visa — The most common route for professional roles requiring RQF Level 3+ qualifications.
- Health and Care Worker visa — A sub-route with reduced fees for healthcare roles.
- Senior or Specialist Worker — For intra-company transfers of senior employees.
- Minister of Religion — For religious workers.
Temporary Worker Licence
This covers shorter-term and specific-purpose routes:
- Seasonal Worker visa — For agricultural and poultry work.
- Charity Worker visa — For unpaid charity work.
- Creative Worker visa — For artists, entertainers, and creatives.
- Religious Worker visa — For temporary religious work.
- Government Authorised Exchange — For approved exchange schemes.
Some companies hold both types of licence, allowing them to sponsor workers across multiple visa routes. When checking a company’s licence, make sure they hold the right type for the visa you need.
Understanding Sponsor Ratings: A-Rated vs B-Rated
Every sponsor on the UKVI register is assigned a compliance rating. This rating tells you how well the sponsor is meeting their obligations and directly affects their ability to sponsor you.
A-Rated Sponsors
An A-rated sponsor is in full compliance with UKVI requirements. This is the standard rating for sponsors in good standing and means:
- They can actively issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to hire new foreign workers.
- They are meeting all their reporting and record-keeping duties.
- They have demonstrated proper HR systems and processes.
- UKVI is satisfied with their overall sponsorship management.
For job seekers: An A-rated sponsor is what you want. You can proceed with confidence knowing they have the authority and track record to sponsor your visa.
B-Rated Sponsors
A B-rated sponsor has been found to have compliance issues by UKVI. This is a warning sign that should make you cautious:
- They are placed on a time-limited action plan to fix the identified problems.
- They typically cannot issue new Certificates of Sponsorship during this period.
- If they fail to improve, their licence will be revoked entirely.
- If they resolve the issues satisfactorily, they can be upgraded back to A-rating.
Common reasons for B-rating include:
- Failing to report when a sponsored worker stops attending work or changes circumstances.
- Not maintaining adequate records of sponsored workers’ right-to-work documents.
- Paying sponsored workers less than the salary stated on their Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Not having suitable HR tracking systems in place.
- Failing to cooperate with a UKVI compliance visit.
For job seekers: Be extremely cautious with B-rated sponsors. They may not be able to issue you a CoS, and there is a real risk their licence could be fully revoked — which would leave you without sponsorship even if you’ve already accepted a job offer.
How UKVI Monitors Sponsors
UKVI doesn’t just grant licences and forget about them. There is an active compliance framework in place:
- Compliance visits: UKVI officers conduct site visits — often unannounced — to verify that sponsors are meeting their duties. They check records, interview staff, and assess HR processes.
- Document audits: UKVI may request copies of specific documents including employment contracts, payslips, right-to-work checks, and attendance records.
- Reporting monitoring: UKVI tracks whether sponsors are submitting required reports on time, such as when a sponsored worker fails to attend their first day of work.
- Tip-offs and intelligence: Information from other sponsors, sponsored workers, or law enforcement can trigger investigations.
How to Check a Sponsor Licence: Three Methods
Method 1: Our Daily Sponsor Licence Checker
The fastest option. Visit our sponsor licence checker and type the company name. Results are instant and our data is refreshed daily from the official UKVI register.
Method 2: Our Sponsor Directory
For browsing by location or industry, use our sponsor directory. Each sponsor has a dedicated profile page with all their register details.
Method 3: GOV.UK Download
Download the raw CSV from GOV.UK and search manually in a spreadsheet. This is the official source but less convenient.
What Happens When a Licence is Revoked?
Licence revocation has serious consequences for everyone involved:
- For the employer: They lose the ability to employ any foreign workers on sponsored visas. All existing sponsored workers’ visas may be curtailed.
- For existing sponsored workers: Your visa is typically curtailed, giving you 60 days to find a new sponsor, switch to a different visa category, or leave the UK.
- For pending applicants: If you’ve submitted a visa application based on a CoS from this employer, it will likely be refused.
This is why our daily licence checker exists. Checking a company’s status just before submitting your visa application is your last line of defence against this scenario.
Sponsor Licence Renewal
Sponsor licences are not permanent — they must be renewed every 4 years. If a company fails to renew their licence, it lapses and they can no longer sponsor workers. During your job search, be aware that a company’s licence might be approaching its renewal date. Our daily checker reflects the current status, so if a licence has lapsed, it will show as not found.
Use our checker to verify any company right now. It’s always free and always up to date.