Skilled worker visa and sponsor licence solicitors in Leicester

This page is general information only. The skilled worker rules, salary thresholds and eligible occupations change frequently, including significant changes introduced from 2025. Check current requirements before relying on anything here.

For employers: the sponsor licence

To employ most workers from overseas, a UK employer needs a sponsor licence from the Home Office. The application involves showing that you’re a genuine business operating lawfully in the UK, submitting specified documents, and appointing key personnel (an authorising officer and people to manage the licence through the Home Office’s online system). There’s an application fee, and when you sponsor a worker you’ll usually pay the Immigration Skills Charge as well.

Once licensed, you take on ongoing duties. These include keeping records about sponsored workers, checking right to work, reporting certain changes (such as a worker not turning up or leaving early), and making sure the role and pay match what you told the Home Office. Many licence problems come from HR processes that weren’t designed with sponsorship in mind.

For workers: the skilled worker visa

A skilled worker needs a job offer from a licensed sponsor, a certificate of sponsorship, a role at the required skill level, a salary that meets the relevant threshold, and English at the required level. The thresholds depend on the occupation and your circumstances. You’ll usually pay an application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

When to get advice

Employers applying for a licence for the first time, preparing for a compliance visit, or dealing with a suspension usually benefit from specialist help. Workers switching employers, changing role, or approaching settlement should check how the rules apply to them, particularly given recent changes.

Only SRA-regulated solicitors and advisers registered with the Immigration Advice Authority can give immigration advice as a business.

Common questions