The exact documents that you need to support your Sponsor Licence application will ultimately depend on the type of organisation and the category of licence being applied for. Appendix A of the Sponsor Guidance sets out the supporting documents that must be submitted with every application.
Generally, as a sponsor, you must provide evidence to show that your business:
- Exists and is genuine
- Is legally operating or trading in the UK
- Meets the specific requirements for the immigration route being applied for, and
- Can and intends to sponsor workers in genuine roles and comply with sponsor duties
In most cases, businesses must provide at least 4 supporting documents (or combinations of documents) unless they fall within a group that has different requirements under Appendix A. These may include:
- Mandatory documents specific to your organisation type
- Mandatory documents for the route you intend to sponsor workers under
- Additional documents to reach the 4-document minimum
Below, we explain what Appendix A requires, which documents apply to different types of organisations and routes, and how to prepare them. If you need assistance with your Sponsor Licence application, please contact our immigration solicitors by calling 02037442797 or completing our enquiry form.
What are the mandatory documents for your organisation type?
Mandatory documents are documents that must be provided as part of your application. These vary according to your organisation’s structure and sector. It is important to note that if you do not submit the correct documents for your organisation type, your Sponsor Licence application is almost certain to be rejected. This is why it is important to take the time necessary to gather the necessary documents and ensure these are in the correct form before submission to the Home Office.
Mandatory documents for charities
Charities have certain mandatory document requirements. If your charity name is on the Charity Commission for England and Wales, OSCR (Scotland) or Charity Commission for Northern Ireland register under the same name you are applying in, you can simply provide the registration number. The Home Office will check this online.
If your organisation is registered under a different name from the one used in your sponsor licence application, you must provide documentary evidence confirming the registration, or include a covering letter or email explaining the registered name and registration number.
If you are an ‘excepted’ charity, the Home Office will verify your status online, so you do not need to provide any additional evidence of your charitable status.
Mandatory documents for franchisees
If you operate as a franchisee, you must include a copy of your franchise agreement or licence signed by all relevant parties. This must clearly show your right to operate under the franchisor’s brand and business model in the UK.
Mandatory documents for start-ups
If your business has been operating for less than 18 months, you must provide your most recent corporate or business bank statements from an authorised UK bank or building society. The bank or building society you use must be authorised and regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority and/or the Financial Conduct Authority.
Mandatory documents for regulated organisations (other than charities)
If your business carries out a regulated activity, for example, financial services, you will need to provide proof of registration with the relevant regulator. Examples include the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) for financial firms and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for healthcare providers.
You will need to provide your registration number and the name of your regulator in your covering letter or email. The Home Office will verify this online.
What are the mandatory documents for the route that you are going to sponsor?
The documents you must provide also depend on the immigration route under which you intend to sponsor workers. In addition to the evidence required for your organisation type, you must include any mandatory route-specific documents.
The most common routes include:
- Government Authorised Exchange
- Graduate Trainee (Global Business Mobility)
- Secondment Worker (Global Business Mobility)
- Senior or Specialist Worker (Global Business Mobility)
- Service Supplier (Global Business Mobility)
- UK Expansion Worker (Global Business Mobility)
- International Sportsperson
- Minister of Religion or Religious Worker
- Seasonal Worker
- Skilled Worker
Below, we outline key examples from some of the most popular routes. For full guidance on other categories, our immigration solicitors can explain the precise documentation you need.
Skilled Worker route
If you are applying for a licence under the Skilled Worker route, you must explain:
- Why are you applying for a sponsor licence
- The sector or sectors your organisation operates in, and
- Your normal operating hours
You will also need to provide a current hierarchy chart showing your organisation’s structure, including any owners, directors, partners, or board members. If you have 50 employees or fewer, you must list all employees by name and job title.
You must also set out details of the jobs you intend to fill, including for each role:
- job title and occupation code
- main duties
- where the job sits in your hierarchy chart
- normal weekly working hours
- salary, and
- required skills, experience, and qualifications
If you have already identified a worker, you will need to explain how they were identified and provide evidence of your recruitment process (for example, job adverts or interview records). You must also include the worker’s full name, date of birth, nationality, and current immigration status (if they are in the UK), as well as their recent payslips if they already work for you.
International Sportsperson route
If you plan to apply under the International Sportsperson route, you must include an endorsement letter issued by an approved sports governing body. The letter should include your unique reference number and confirm that the body supports your application.
UK Expansion Worker route
If you are applying as a UK Expansion Worker, your organisation must provide details of its UK ‘footprint’ in addition to evidence of a qualifying link to an overseas business, their overseas trading presence, and planned expansion within the UK.
Evidence of a footprint in the UK may include:
- Companies House reference number or a copy of the certificate of incorporation.
- Signed lease agreement or proof of purchase for UK business premises
What additional documents can you send?
If, after providing all of the necessary mandatory documents for your organisation and chosen route, you have fewer than 4 documents, you can include additional evidence from section 4 of Appendix A. Common examples include:
- Proof of HMRC registration
- Employer PAYE registration letter showing your PAYE and accounts office reference numbers
- Corporation Tax registration or most recent CT600 tax return
- VAT registration certificate
- Accounting or financial information
- Your most recent audited accounts or annual report
- A link to your Companies House filing if publicly available
- Banking information
- Recent corporate or business bank statements
- A letter from your bank confirming the nature and duration of your relationship
- Miscellaneous evidence
- Employer’s liability insurance for at least £5 million
- Lease or ownership documents for business premises
- Recent client invoices or contracts for services
- Local authority planning permission or alcohol licence (if relevant)
- Evidence of non-mandatory professional accreditation
Organisations required to provide different documents
Certain organisations are subject to different documentary rules under section 5 of Appendix A. These include:
- Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange (Main Market or AIM)
- Organisations regulated by the FCA or PRA
- UK government departments and agencies
- Local authorities
If your business is in this list, you do not need to provide the standard 4 documents. Documents that you can provide include:
- Documents for charities or regulated organisations outlined above (if applicable)
- Any route-specific documents listed above
- For unlisted public bodies, a letter from your sponsoring government department confirming you are a public body, or a covering email/letter with the department’s name if details are online, or
- For diplomatic missions, consular posts, or international organisations – if sponsoring non-exempt workers, provide a signed letter from your Head of Mission/Organisation. For the International Agreement route only, no other documents are needed.
Sponsor Licence supporting documents examples
Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence documents for a non-listed company
Scenario: A software company wants to hire a marketing director (occupation code: 1132)
Mandatory document:
- Cover letter with details (why you are applying, sector, hours, hierarchy chart, and job details).
Supporting documents (minimum of 4):
- Most recent corporate bank statement from an authorised UK bank
- Proof of registration for PAYE with HMRC
- Proof of registration for VAT
- Evidence of business activity, such as client invoices or service contracts
If the business has been operating for less than 18 months, a bank reference letter may be included as a second banking document.
Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence documents for a company listed on the LSE
Scenario: A financial trading company listed on the London Stock Exchange wants to hire an IT director (occupation code: 1137)
Required document for listed companies:
- Confirmation of the company’s LSE listing under the same name (no further proof needed as the Home Office will verify this online)
- Proof of regulation by the FCA and/or PRA, including your registration number (checked online by the Home Office)
Because the company is a listed company, it falls under the category of “organisations with different requirements” in Appendix A. As such, no additional supporting documents are required.
Reference:
GOV.UK: Appendix A: supporting documents
