If you wish to employ someone to come to the UK and work for you, you will usually need to apply for a Sponsor Licence. This includes if you want to employ someone for unpaid work, such as running a charity. If the individual that you want to employ has Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK or Settled Status in the UK, you will not need a sponsor licence.
In order to get a sponsor licence, you cannot have:
- Had a sponsor licence revoked in the last 12 months.
- Unspent convictions.
The licence you need depends on which type of workers you are sponsoring. There are 2 categories.
Workers
A Worker Licence allows you to employ people long-term. It is split into the following:
- SKILLED WORKER
- INTRA-COMPANY VISAS
- MINISTER OF RELIGION
- SPORTSPERSON
Temporary Worker
A Temporary Worker Licence allows you to employ people on a temporary basis. It is split into the following:
- CREATIVE OR SPORTING WORKER – to work as a high-level sportsperson (up to 1 year) or an entertainer or artist (up to 2 years)
- CHARITY WORKER – for unpaid workers at a charity (up to 1 year)
- RELIGIOUS WORKER – for those working in a religious organization (2 years)
- GOVERNMENT AUTHORIZED EXCHANGE WORKER – work experience (1 year) or research projects and training (2 years)
- INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT WORKER – where the worker is coming to do a job covered by international law
- SEASONAL WORKER – for those coming to the UK to do farm work (up to 6 months)