How do I sponsor a migrant worker?
The application process
This page explains how you get a licence to sponsor migrants under the points-based system, and the process for applying.
On this page
You must apply for a licence if you want to employ migrant workers under the points-based system. In doing so, you agree to meet a number of sponsorship duties.
Which tiers and categories can you apply for?
You can apply for licences to sponsor migrants under:
- Tier 2 (General) - for skilled workers
- Tier 2 (Intra company transfer)
- Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
- Tier 2 (Minister of religion)
- Tier 4 (General) for adult students
- Tier 4 (Child)
- Tier 5 (Temporary worker - Creative and sporting)
- Tier 5 (Temporary worker - Charity worker)
- Tier 5 (Temporary worker - Religious worker)
- Tier 5 (Temporary worker - International agreement)
- Tier 5 (Temporary worker - Government authorised exchange)
You can apply to have different tiers and categories on one licence, or you can have separate licences for different tiers and categories if you prefer.
If you already have a sponsor licence
If you already have a sponsor licence, and you want to sponsor migrants in additional tiers, that you are not already licensed for, you must apply again using the sponsor application online to add any new tiers and categories to your existing licence. You must provide your sponsor licence number where asked, and you must select the tiers, categories and sub-categories that you want to add. You will need to send in any additional mandatory documents that may be required, and you may need to pay an additional fee.
See the section on costs to find out what fee you must pay, and supporting evidence to find out which additional documents you may need to send.
All the details you give in your application must be the same as those we already hold for you. In particular, your authorising officer and key contact must be the same - there can only be 1 authorising officer and 1 key contact for a sponsor licence. If you want different people to be the authorising officer and key contact for the tier(s) that you want to add, you must apply for an additional sponsor licence and pay the appropriate fee. The Roles to allocate section contains more information about these roles.
If your application names a different level 1 user from the one(s) on your existing licence, you must confirm whether you intend to replace an existing level 1 user or add a new one. If you do not provide this information with your application, we will contact you to confirm it - but if we do not receive a response within 14 days, we will reject your application.
The process for applying
The process for applying is:
- Register online with your name and email address.
- Read all the information in the sponsor guidance.
- Complete your application online, print off your submission sheet and send it to us with your supporting documents.
- We process your sponsor application, making any checks that are necessary.
- We notify you of our decision.
- If we give you a sponsor licence, your organisation name and rating are published on our register of sponsors.
- If you are a Tier 4 (General) sponsor, you can apply to be a highly trusted sponsor. For more information about the benefits and how to apply, see the policy guidance for tier 4 sponsors in the Sponsor guidance section on the right hand side of this page.
When you complete your online application you will be asked for your preferred method of contact, in case we need to contact you about your application. Regardless of how you answer that question, we will always email either the person you have named as the key contact or the person you have named as the authorising officer on your application if we need any further information or documents in connection with your application. This is because we have found this to be the most efficient method of contacting applicants and helps us to process applications more quickly.
If we give you a licence and an allocation of certificates of sponsorship, you will be able to assign these certificates to migrants using the sponsorship management system.
If you have a query about your application, contact our sponsor licensing unit using the link on the right side of this page.
For general advice on sponsorship, contact our sponsorship and employers' helpline using the link on the right side of this page.