To employ individuals under either of these visas, an employer must make an application to UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), the division of the Home Office responsible for UK immigration, for a sponsorship license.

This license authorizes an organization to sponsor workers within their business, and it’s important to note that only organizations, not individuals, can hold this ‘sponsor’ status.

The Home Office relies on the sponsorship system to prevent illegal employment and misuse of the immigration process. When an organization chooses to become a sponsor license holder, they are taking on specific compliance responsibilities, thereby subjecting their organization to scrutiny by the Home Office.

The sponsorship system serves several key purposes:

Ensuring that the sponsor fulfils all the expected compliance obligations when sponsoring migrant workers.

Confirming that sponsored workers meet the necessary points criteria, possess suitable qualifications and skills, and have the required language proficiency.

Verifying that the positions being sponsored meet the stipulated skill level, salary, and authenticity requirements.

Failing to meet these obligations can lead to enforcement actions, ranging from substantial fines to the revocation of the sponsorship license. Such revocation could result in visa workers losing their jobs and having their visas curtailed, necessitating their premature departure from the country.