Obtaining a sponsor licence is an essential step for businesses aiming to hire talent from abroad. It allows you to legally employ skilled international workers while staying compliant with UK immigration laws.
But before you get started, it’s important to understand the costs involved - so you can plan ahead and avoid any surprises.
📌 Why a Sponsor Licence Matters
A sponsor licence gives your business the legal right to sponsor skilled workers from outside the UK. With it, you can:
Fill hard-to-recruit roles with qualified professionals
Expand your talent pool
Stay compliant with Home Office regulations
💸 What Does It Cost?
Here are the key fees involved in obtaining a sponsor licence:
Small or charitable sponsors: £574
Medium or large sponsors: £1,476
Your business size is determined by the Home Office based on your annual turnover, number of employees, and other criteria. If you want to expedite the decision process, an optional priority service is available for an additional fee, typically £750.
This service reduces the decision timeframe significantly, from the standard 10 weeks to around 10 working days, providing flexibility for time-sensitive applications. It's important to note that paying the application and optional service fees does not guarantee the approval of a sponsor licence.
These fees cover processing by the Home Office, which evaluates applications thoroughly before making a decision.
For an accurate breakdown of the fees associated with a sponsor license application, please see here.