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Guidance

Sponsor a worker: sponsor guidance part 2

Guidance for sponsors on sponsoring a worker.

Updates to this page

From:
UK Visas and Immigration
Published:
9 December 2020
Last updated:
8 October 2026
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  1. The guidance has been updated to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules coming into force on 8 and 29 October 2026 and changes to the Right to Work Scheme that came into force on 1 October 2026. Full details of changes can be found in 'changes to this guidance' section.

  2. This version replaces version 05/26 (published on 20 May 2026). A full list of changes can be found in the guide.

  3. The guidance has been updated to reflect the implementation of the next phase of eVisa roll-out from 20 May 2026 and to provide clarification on right to work checks.

  4. Updated with changes to the Immigration Skills Charge.

  5. Added accessible version of guidance.

  6. This version replaces version 11/25 (published on 11 November 2025). A full list of changes is in the document.

  7. This guidance has been updated. A full list of changes is in the section "Changes to this guidance".

  8. This version replaces version 04/25 (published on 1 9 January April 2025). Full details of the changes can be found within the document.

  9. The guidance has been updated to: give effect to a commitment in the Written Ministerial Statement of 28 November 2024 to prohibit sponsors from passing on sponsorship fees and associated administrative costs to their sponsored workers; reflect changes to the Skilled Worker route coming into effect on 9 April 2025 in respect of care workers and senior care workers; make some other minor amendments and clarifications.

  10. Guidance updated with a note explaining that we will normally revoke a sponsor licence where a Skilled Worker sponsor seeks to recoup any part of the Certificate of Sponsorship fee from a worker they are sponsoring, and updated to reflect that biometric residence permits are no longer valid.

  11. Changes to the guidance to reflect the initial phase of the new sponsorship service for selected Government Authorised Exchange sponsors, and to make some other minor amendments and clarifications.

  12. Added HTML accessible version.

  13. Guidance updated to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules coming into effect on 4 April 2024 and to make some other minor amendments and clarifications.

  14. Added Annex S2, containing information about how changes to the Immigration Rules on 4 April 2024 will affect Certificates of Sponsorship requested or not assigned before 7 pm on 2 April 2024.

  15. Guidance updated as detailed on page 7.

  16. Guidance updated to reflect changes to the immigration rules that came into effect on 12 April 2023, and provide clarification on what sponsors must do if a worker is absent from work without pay, or on reduced pay. A full list of changes is on page 7.

  17. Document updated as detailed on page 8.

  18. Guidance updated to reflect the introduction of the new Scale-up route and to make some other minor changes.

  19. Added accessible version.

  20. Updated guidance to reflect the introduction of the new Global Business Mobility routes and the new Part 5 exemption order for licensed sponsors.

  21. Guidance updated with the following changes: S1.18, S3.18, S9.10 (third bullet point): minor amendments to reflect that jobs under occupation code 6145 (Care workers and home carers) have been added to Appendix Shortage Occupation List and are now eligible for the Skilled Worker route (as set out in Statement of Changes HC 1009); S2.12, S2.13: amended to reflect the ending of the fee concession for Certificates of Sponsorship assigned to CESC nationals from 26 February 2022 (as set out in Schedule 3 to the Immigration and Nationality (Replacement of T2 Sportsperson Route and Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2021); S7.56: minor clarification on carrying out right to work checks on workers who hold a biometric residence permit; other minor housekeeping changes.

  22. S1.2 to S1.14: various clarifications on employing EU, EEA and Swiss nationals, and other minor amendments. S7.27 to S7.28: minor clarification on when a worker needs an ATAS certificate. S7.48 to S7.54: guidance updated to reflect introduction of ‘e-Visas’ for some Skilled Workers, and other minor amendments. Throughout: minor housekeeping changes.

  23. Updated to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules, including the introduction of the new International Sportsperson and Creative Worker routes and rebranding of the other T5 (Temporary Worker) routes, to update the process for checking whether a worker needs an ATAS certificate, and to make other minor amendments and clarifications.

  24. Updated guidance with various changes including to provide additional clarification on the ATAS requirement for researchers.

  25. Added accessible version.

  26. Updated guidance reflects changes to the Immigration Rules as set out in the Statement of Changes (HC 1248). Including clarifying the circumstances in which a Skilled Worker’s salary can be reduced without a new application for permission, the introduction of the ATAS requirement for certain roles from 21 May 2021, and minor clarifications.

  27. First published.

Documents

Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 2: sponsor a worker (accessible)

HTML

Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 2: sponsor a worker

PDF, 903 KB, 75 pages

Details

General information for licensed sponsors on how to sponsor a person on the Worker and Temporary Worker immigration routes.

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