How do I sponsor a migrant worker?
Apply for a licence online
This page explains what information you need to be able to answer the questions in the online application for a licence to sponsor migrants under the points-based system.
On this page
What else you must do when applying
Before you fill in the sponsor application online you must read the Eligibility section, which tells you who can apply. You can only apply for a licence online.
You will need to pay the appropriate application fee when you apply. If your application is refused because you do not meet the requirements, this fee will not be refunded. Read the section on costs to find out what application fee you must pay.
You must make the application yourself. A representative can help you to complete your application, but cannot submit the application on your behalf. If we find during the consideration of your application that a representative has submitted it on your behalf, we will refuse the application and will not refund the application fee.
The information you need to fill in the application
The form contains a number of questions. If you gather all the necessary information before you start, you should be able to complete the form in approximately 30 minutes. You can only apply for a licence online.
To fill in the online sponsor application, you will need the following information:
- organisation details and names of the authorising officer, key contact, level 1 user, and other users;
- the number of certificates of sponsorship you need and your reasons for this number;
- the names and trading dates of your organisation if it has traded under another name in the last four years;
- your organisation's size and sector;
- the name and registration number of any accrediting or governing body;
- the name of any stock exchange your organisation is registered with;
- your PAYE, VAT or National Insurance numbers;
- details of any staff criminal convictions or civil penalties for any staff named as key personnel;
- your supporting documents; and
- payment details - this must be a credit or debit card.
Make sure you fully understand the process and what supporting documents you must send with your application before applying.
You can save a partially completed application at any time and go back to it later if you need to, but you can only save one application. Saving an application will overwrite any previously saved application.
You can also finish incomplete applications. You can view submission sheets or finish paying for incomplete applications (which are those for which we have all information except your payment, submission sheet and supporting documents).
How to fill in key questions
You must read the following as it gives important advice on the information we need for certain questions in the online application.
Under what category is your organisation applying to become a sponsor?
You must choose all the tiers, categories and sub-categories you want to be licensed under to employ migrants or to bring students to the United Kingdom.
Is your organisation registering as a head office, a UK branch, a single body or another type of body?
If you are registering with any branches or subsidiaries, you must list all the branches that you wish to include in this registration and give their addresses. Where necessary, use a separate sheet and send this in with your submission sheet.
If you are registering as 'other', please give details of who will be included in this registration. Where necessary, use a separate sheet and send this in with your submission sheet.
If your organisation has charitable status in England, Scotland or Wales, select whether you are registered, excepted or exempt according to the legislation in your country. Select the Northern Ireland option if you are based in Northern Ireland.
- If you are registered charity, give your charity registration number in the box.
- If you are excepted, exempt or none of the above, please give reasons why.
- If you are based in Northern Ireland, give details of charitable status from HMRC.
- If you are an ecclesiastical corporation (either corporation sole or body corporate) established for charitable purposes, give details.
Select the sector your organisation works in. Choose the one that explains your organisation's main economic activity.
If you are unsure which sector to select please see the UK Statistics authority website.
For the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) category, select your sport and then the appropriate sporting body that you are endorsed by. For Tier 5, select 'other' if not applicable.
Please read full guidance for the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and Tier 5 (Temporary worker - creative and sporting) categories before you submit your application.
You can only select one sport on the online application. For example, if you want to sponsor migrants under football and rugby, you must select one sport on the online application and when giving reasons for the number of certificates of sponsorship needed, you must list the other sports to be covered in that licence and give the appropriate governing body endorsement for each of these sports.
If you are registering for the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and Tier 5 (Temporary worker - creative and sporting) categories using the same application, please fill in the details of your sport for Tier 2 in the online application. Please use a separate sheet to give us the name of your Tier 5 sport, and send it to us with your submission sheet.
If you cannot find your sport in the drop-down list, you should contact the employers helpline which you can find on the right side of this page.
If your sport does not have a sports council governing body, you should contact us at PBSsportpolicy@ukba.gsi.gov.uk.
Select the faith that you are a member of
Please read full guidance for the Tier 2 (Minister of religion) and/or Tier 5 (Temporary worker - religious worker) categories before you submit your application.
If you select 'other', give details of your faith in the reasons for the number of certificates of sponsorship.
If you are registering for the Tier 2 (Minister of religion) and Tier 5 (Temporary worker - religious worker) categories using the same application, please fill in the details of your faith for Tier 2 on the online form and for the Tier 5 (religious worker) category. Where there is a set hierarchy within your faith, you must send in, as one of your mandatory documents, a letter of support from the head of your organisation (or their nominated legal representative) to confirm that you are part of that organisation. More information on this is in Appendix A of the sponsorship guidance.
Supporting documents
When completing the online application form, you may find that the list of documents to submit with your application is incorrect. We are aware of this and will put this problem right as soon as we can. In the mean time, you should always check Appendix A of the sponsorship guidance to make sure you are sending the right documents. This is the most up-to-date list of required documents for your type of organisation.
Submission sheet
After you have submitted your online application, you are taken to the 'submission sheet' page, which you must print and complete. For your application to be valid, you must then send us:
- your submission sheet, signed and dated by your authorising officer; and
- all of the documents listed on your submission sheet (originals or certified copies).
You must send these to the address on the submission sheet within 14 calendar days of the date when you completed the electronic application.
All of the above items must be sent together. If any of the items are missing or incorrect, your application will be invalid. Invalid applications will be rejected and the application fee refunded.
We advise you to keep a copy of the submission sheet for your records.
If you have a specific query about an application that you have submitted, email our sponsor licensing unit at Sponsorprogress@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk. For general advice on sponsorship, contact the 'Employers and education provider's helpline', which you can find on the right of this page.
Do it online
Terms explained
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Authorising officer
The authorising officer is one of the roles required within organisations that wish to sponsor migrants under the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. The authorising officer is responsible for the activities of anyone acting on behalf of the sponsor to issue certificates of sponsorship.
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Certificates of sponsorship
These are virtual documents (unique reference numbers) that an organisation gives to migrants they want to employ, and that the migrant uses when applying.under the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. Also known as confirmation of acceptance for studies.
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Civil penalties
A requirement to pay money that can be imposed for an offence without the need for a court conviction.
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Criminality checks
Checks we make with authorities to find out if someone has a criminal record.
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Key contact
The key contact acts as the main point of contact between us and an organisation that sponsors migrants under the points-based system.