Guidance

How to apply for or renew a gangmaster's licence

Published 7 April 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-apply-for-or-renew-a-gangmasters-licence/how-to-apply-for-or-renew-a-gangmasters-licence

A gangmaster is a person or business that supplies workers to specific sectors in the UK. 

The sectors are: 

  • agriculture 

  • horticulture 

  • shellfish gathering 

  • food processing and packaging 

You’re also a gangmaster if you: 

  • use workers to gather shellfish 

  • buy a crop and use your own or other workers to harvest, process or pack it
  • use workers to provide a service to another person, for work in the regulated sectors – for example under a service contract

To operate as a gangmaster, you must have a licence from the Fair Work Agency (FWA). 

You could be subject to prison and or a fine if you supply workers to the regulated sectors without a licence.  

You can read more detailed guidance on who needs a gangmaster’s licence. 

If you’re not sure if an activity is licensed, contact us by: 

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (except public holidays) 

Find out about call charges

Apply for a gangmaster’s licence 

You can apply for a gangmaster’s licence online. 

Who can apply for a licence 

Principal Authorities (PAs) can apply for a gangmaster’s licence. 

You’re the PA of a business if you: 

  • are one of its employees 

  • have day-to-day control or management of the business 

  • are responsible for the welfare of workers  

If you’re acting as the PA but are not a director of the business, you’ll need written confirmation from a director. 

What you’ll need to apply 

You’ll need the:  

  • Companies House number, PAYE registration number and VAT registration number  

  • Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number – this can be a company, business or personal UTR, depending on the nature of your business  

  • personal information for you and all business directors or partners, including National Insurance numbers if the business is in the UK  

  • a copy of the photo page in your passport, if you have one 

  • your expected gross turnover of business in the regulated sectors 

  • a sample copy of the contract you’ll give to the workers you hire out  

  • a sample copy of the timesheet that you’ll use to log worker’s hours 

  • if you supply workers outside the regulated sectors, a copy of a payslip that you have issued to a worker

Licence application and inspection fees  

Licence fees are linked to the expected gross annual turnover of your business in the regulated sectors.  

Expected annual turnover Fee band Application and inspection fee
£10 million or more A £8,500
From £5 million to less than £10 million B £6,820
From £1 million to less than £5 million C £5,190
Less than £1 million D £3,490

We do not refund licence application and inspection fees.

You can pay:  

  • online, when you apply for your licence  

  • BACS 

  • Faster Payment Services (FPS)  

  • international credit transfer  

Renew your gangmaster’s licence  

A gangmaster’s licence lasts for 1 year. The expiry date is printed on the licence certificate. It’s your responsibility to check it’s in date.  

You can renew your licence online. You can do this 6 weeks before your current licence expires.  

We’ll send you a reminder email 6 weeks before your licence expires. Check your email spam folder if you do not get a reminder. You should also add no-replylicensing@fairworkagency.gov.uk to your safe senders list.

We will not need to inspect your business to renew your licence, but you’ll be asked to confirm business details, including annual turnover.  

It should take around 5 working days to check your renewal and issue a new licence, though it could take longer.  

If your licence has already expired, you’ll need to apply for a new licence. You cannot supply workers to the regulated sectors until you have been given a new licence.  

Licence renewal fee  

The licence fee is linked to the gross turnover of your business in the regulated sectors over the previous 12 months.  

Annual turnover Fee band Renewal fee
£10 million or more A £4,000
From £5 million to less than £10 million B £3,100
From £1 million to less than £5 million C £1,860
Below £1 million D £620

We do not refund licence renewal fees.

If you do not renew your licence  

If your licence expires before it is renewed, your business:  

  • will be removed from the public register of licensed gangmasters  

  • must stop trading in the regulated sectors  

You’ll need to apply for and be granted a new licence before you can start trading again.

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