UK Sponsorship Licence Application – Apply for Tier 2 Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence
When it comes to a Sponsorship Licence application, consider WorkPermitCloud. We provide a cloud-based solution for your sponsor licence application to be UKVI compliant. Get your Sponsor Licence sorted today.

UK Sponsorship Licence Application – Apply for Tier 2 Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence – Work Permit Cloud UK
If a UK firm wants to employ non-UK residents (including EU nationals entering the UK from 1st January 2021), the employer must have a valid sponsor licence from the UK Home Office. The process of employer sponsorship licence application can be complex, and WorkPermitCloud can assist with this. There are two types of sponsor licences available: Tier 2 and Tier 5. The Tier 2 sponsor licence is for UK employers who want to sponsor non-UK nationals to work in skilled jobs in the UK. This includes jobs that require a specific skill set, professional qualifications, or relevant experience. The Tier 5 sponsor licence is for UK employers who want to sponsor non-UK nationals for temporary work in the UK. This includes jobs in creative and sporting fields, charity work, religious work, and government-authorised exchange programs. To apply for a Tier 2 or Tier 5 sponsor licence, the employer must follow the sponsor licence guidance and meet certain eligibility criteria, such as having a physical presence in the UK, being a genuine business, and having appropriate HR systems in place. They must also provide the necessary supporting documentation.

Sponsor Licence Requirements
Application for a UK sponsorship licence requires certain documents you need to provide to succeed. In addition to the sponsorship licence application form, you will also need to submit a minimum of 4 supporting documents from the list below:

Companies House Registration Number
SIGNED Annual Accounts (it is mandatory if the business is over 18 months old)
Minimum 1-month business bank statement, the bank needs to be registered and regulated by the FCA and PRA.
Employer liability insurance certificate (minimum employee cover £5 million)
Copy of Lease, freehold or Tenancy agreement
Copy of regulatory approval, i.e. Health & Safety star rating for food businesses, ACCA, SRA, etc.
VAT Certificate (if registered)
PAYE or Account Office reference letter from HMRC
Apart from the above documents, the company must have a Pension scheme in place.
If the skilled worker sponsor licence application is denied, there is a six-month cooling-off period before you can reapply. In some cases, you may be able to appeal the decision. You’ll need to address the reasons your application was denied in your reapplication.
If the refusal is due to document errors, you may be able to correct the mistake and resubmit your application. For any decisions that were not overturned after an error correction, the only other option would be to lodge a judicial review.

How long does a UK Sponsor Licence Application take?
To apply for a sponsor licence, it usually takes 8 weeks to get a decision from the Home Office. Processing time may be longer if your application is complex or you have not provided the required information. The Home Office may need to conduct an on-site visit to your business premises as part of their due diligence and this can add a few more weeks to the process.
If the skilled worker sponsor licence application is refused, there is a six-month cooling-off period before you can reapply. In some cases, you may be able to appeal the decision. You’ll need to address the reasons your application was denied in your reapplication. WorkPermitCloud can provide assistance in this matter.

UK Expansion Worker visa

The UK Expansion Worker visa is for a senior employee of an overseas business to come to the UK and set up a branch of an overseas business that has not started trading in the UK yet. This route has replaced the previous Sole Representative of an Overseas Business route.

For example, if a well-established Chinese company wants to expand their business in the UK and set up a UK branch, they can send a senior manager or specialist employee from their company to the UK. This person needs to apply for a UK Expansion Worker Visa.

To apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa, there’re requirements that both the overseas company and the candidates need to meet.

Requirements for the overseas company
The overseas company needs to:

Show proof of UK ‘footprint’, which means need to register a UK branch of the overseas company with the UK Companies House
Show the UK branch has not started trading in the UK yet
Show a detailed business plan for the expansion to the UK
Show evidence of the overseas company has been actively trading for 3 years
Show you have sufficient funds to support the UK branch for at least 2 years.
Apply for a Sponsor Licence for the UK branch to sponsor the UK expansion worker
However, the requirements and documents might differ depending on the nature of your overseas company. If you’re an overseas company that wants to send your employee to the UK to set up a UK branch, WorkPermitCloud can help analyse your case and provide you with a detailed document list that you need to prepare. If you also would like to learn more about Sponsor Licence application, please contact our Immigration experts.

UK Expansion Worker Visa Eligibility
To be eligible for a UK Expansion worker visa, the candidate must meet the following Eligibility criteria:

Must have already work for the overseas business as either a senior manager or specialist employee
have a valid Certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from your employer
have worked for your employer outside the UK for more than 12 months
must be paid at least £45,800 per year or the ‘going rate’ for your job – whichever is higher
do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
Documents required for UK Expansion Worker Visa
To apply for a UK Expansion Worker Visa, the documents the candidate needs to provide are:

the CoS reference number issued by your employer
evidence you’ve worked for your employer outside the UK
a valid passport (with more than 6 months validity)
your job title and annual salary
your job’s occupation code
the name of your employer and their sponsor licence number
proof of finance if you apply from outside the UK (you need to have £1,270 savings in your bank account for more than 28 days)
TB test report if you apply from outside the UK (if you’re from a listed country that requires a TB test)
a valid ATAS certificate if your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher
If your documents for UK Expansion Worker Visa are not in English or Welsh, you’ll also need to provide a certified translation.

How long is a UK Expansion Worker Visa valid for?
Generally, a UK Expansion Worker visa is valid for 1 year, however, you can extend your stay for another 12 months if you want to stay longer in the UK.

The maximum time you can stay in the UK on a UK Expansion Worker visa is 2 years.

Senior or Specialist Worker visa:-

The Senior or Specialist Worker Visa is a category within the UKs Points-Based System (PBS) that targets individuals with exceptional skills and expertise in their respective fields. It is designed to attract senior executives, industry specialists, and leaders who can significantly contribute to the UK economy.

Eligibility Criteria of the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

To be eligible for the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, applicants typically need to meet specific criteria:

• Sponsorship: You must have a valid job offer from a UK employer that holds a Sponsor License.
• Sponsorship Certificate: Your employer must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to support your application.
• Salary Requirements: Your salary should meet the threshold for this visa category.
• English Language Proficiency: Some applicants may need to demonstrate their proficiency in English.
• Maintenance Funds: You might need to show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself.

The Application Process for the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

The application process for the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa involves:

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Your sponsoring employer will provide a CoS, which is an essential document for your application.
• Online Application: Apply online, complete the necessary forms, and pay the application fee.
• Biometrics: Attend a biometric appointment at a visa application center.
• Interview: In some cases, you may need to attend an interview.
• Decision and Visa Issuance: Await a decision on your application and, if approved, receive your visa.

 

Graduate Trainee Visa

The Graduate Trainee Visa is a vital component of the UKs Points-Based System (PBS) designed to provide international graduates with the opportunity to enhance their skills and expertise by gaining practical work experience in the UK.

Eligibility Criteria of the Graduate Trainee Visa
To be eligible for the Graduate Trainee Visa, candidates typically need to meet specific criteria:

Sponsorship: You must secure a valid job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid Sponsor License.
Graduate Status: You should have completed a degree-level course in the UK.
Employer Sponsorship Certificate: Your sponsoring employer must provide a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Maintenance Funds: Demonstrating that you have adequate funds to support yourself in the UK may be required.
The Application Process of the Graduate Trainee Visa
The application process for the Graduate Trainee Visa usually involves the following steps:

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Your sponsoring employer will issue a CoS, a crucial document for your application.
Online Application: Complete an online application form, pay the application fee, and provide required documentation.
Biometrics: Attend a biometric appointment at a visa application center.
Interview: In some cases, you may be called for an interview.
Decision and Visa Issuance: Await a decision on your application and, if successful, receive your visa.