How do I sponsor a migrant worker?
Employing migrants
This section explains how you can sponsor migrants under Tier 2 and Tier 5. It includes information about when you must complete a resident labour market test and how to sponsor a migrant to do a job that is on the list of shortage occupations. It also explains how to assign and cancel certificates of sponsorship.
In this section:
- Codes of practice for Tiers 2 and 5
- How to employ migrants from the shortage occupation list
- How to meet the resident labour market test
- Sports governing bodies
- The certificate of sponsorship
- How to apply for a restricted certificate of sponsorship
- How to assign a certificate of sponsorship
- How to cancel a certificate of sponsorship
- How long can workers stay in the UK?
- If a worker starts a new job
You can create and assign certificates of sponsorship using the sponsorship management system.
See the section on costs to find out the fees for certificates of sponsorship.
Annual limit on Tier 2 (General)
For the year from 6 April 2013 to 5 April 2014, there will be 20,700 restricted certificates of sponsorship available to Tier 2 (General) sponsors. You can read more about restricted and unrestricted certificates of sponsorship.
If you assign an unrestricted certificate to a migrant for a restricted job, we will revoke your sponsor licence.
Sponsoring migrant workers aged under 18
Under Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009, we must have regard to the need to safeguard children and to promote their welfare.
You must ensure that all children aged under 18 working in the UK have suitable care arrangements in place for their travel, their reception on arrival in the UK and their living arrangements while in the UK, as well as parental consent to these arrangements. If you fail to do this, we will immediately revoke your licence.
If you want to employ children aged under 16, you must obtain a licence from the local education authority (LEA) in the area where they will work.