The path for overseas professionals to acquire a Skilled Worker visa in the UK hinges upon sponsorship from a UK employer. If you’re a UK business aiming to recruit skilled talent from outside the country, understanding the intricacies of the Skilled Worker sponsorship licence is crucial. Here’s a comprehensive guide, courtesy of Highwood Solicitors, UK.

Understanding the Skilled Worker Sponsorship Route

For international talent, obtaining a Skilled Worker visa mandates sponsorship from a Home Office-recognised UK employer for a specific job role. This role must align with certain salary and skill criteria, and the employer must possess an authentic Skilled Worker sponsorship licence.

This piece serves UK employers keen on getting the nod from the Home Office to employ non-settled workers under the Skilled Worker bracket. Delve into the principal and specialised prerequisites to acquire a Skilled Worker sponsorship licence and explore a few of our triumphs in facilitating such licences.

Determining Who Needs Sponsorship

To recruit overseas talent without the “settled” status or lacking work permissions in the UK, employers must sponsor them. This group notably encompasses EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens arriving in the UK post-31 December 2020. Being certified by the Home Office as a legitimate Skilled Worker sponsor is a must.

Although there’s no ceiling to how many employees you can sponsor with the Skilled Worker sponsor licence, you’ll need to evaluate and forecast the number of Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) you’d like to allocate during your initial year. It’s pivotal to meticulously determine your employment projections and provide a solid rationale for your CoS allocation.

Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence: Application Insights

To procure a Skilled Worker sponsor licence, businesses must meet a slew of general and role-specific standards.

General Criteria:

1. Legitimate UK Operation: Prove to the Home Office that you’re a bona fide enterprise lawfully functioning within the UK.
2. Trustworthiness: Illustrate that you uphold values of honesty, reliability, and moral integrity.
3. Compliance with Sponsorship Duties: Show competence in fulfilling sponsorship responsibilities and validating compliance as stipulated.

Route-Specific Standards:

1. Skill Level of Employment: Validate that the job on offer meets the Skilled Worker route’s skill criteria.
2. Salary Benchmark: Ensure that the remuneration aligns with the Skilled Worker route’s stipulations.
3. Genuineness of Role: Ensure the role you’re sponsoring is bona fide.
4. Direct Employment Connection: A direct employer-employee bond must exist between you (the sponsor) and the employee. Outsourcing or third-party contracts for continuous or routine functions are not permitted.

For a detailed dive into these requirements, [link].

For a conversation about your Skilled Worker sponsorship licence application, ring Highwood Solicitors at +44 (0) 1206523714 or drop a query [here].

Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence Essentials

1. Applying for the Licence: Once you’ve discerned your first-year employee projections, kickstart your Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence application process online. Besides paying an application fee, you’ll need to submit pivotal supporting documents and provide insights about your designated key personnel and meeting the set eligibility criteria.
2. Licensing Costs: Licensing fees fluctuate based on your organization’s scale. Small enterprises and charities incur £536.00, while medium and large enterprises face £1,476.00.
3. Timeframe: Anticipate up to 8 weeks for the Home Office to adjudicate on sponsorship licence applications. A priority service, priced at £500.00, ensures a verdict within 10 working days.
4. Licence Longevity: A successful Skilled Worker sponsorship licence application offers a 4-year validity. Renewal is essential after this period.

How Can Highwood Solicitors Support You?

Our specialised immigration solicitors at Highwood Solicitors aid UK firms in securing, maintaining, and abiding by their sponsorship licences.

From assessing the viability of your Skilled Worker sponsorship licence application to crafting a convincing business justification, our solicitors are adept at managing your application from start to finish.

Our commitment is steadfast: clear, trustworthy immigration counsel rendered with professionalism and warmth. Connect with us today for bespoke solutions.