Search all content on GOV.UK

UK visa sponsorship information for employers - requirements, certificates and licences for Workers and Temporary Workers.

• Overview

  You’ll usually need a sponsor licence to employ someone to work for you…

• Eligibility

  To get a licence as an employer, you cannot have: unspent criminal…

• Job suitability

  You can sponsor a worker if the job they’re going to do: complies with the…

• Types of licence

  The licence you need depends on whether the workers you want to fill your…

• Sponsorship management roles

  You need to appoint people within your business to manage the sponsorship…

• Apply for your licence

  You need to apply online for your licence. Once you’ve finished the online…

• Your licence rating

  You’ll get an A-rated licence if your application is approved. A-rating -…

• Check whether your worker needs an ATAS certificate

  Before you assign a certificate of sponsorship to your worker, you may…

• Certificates of sponsorship

  You must assign a certificate of sponsorship to each foreign worker you…

• Immigration skills charge

  You might have to pay an additional charge when you assign a certificate…

• Your responsibilities

  You must: check that your foreign workers have the necessary skills,…

Make arrangements to return home voluntarily if you're in the UK illegally or have claimed asylum by assisted return, voluntary return, AVR, VRS

• Overview

  You can get help to return to your home country if you do not have…

• Who can get help

  You can usually apply for help to return home (‘voluntary return’) if any…

• How to apply

  Apply online for voluntary return. You’ll need: your address in the UK an…

Find out what benefits and financial support you may be able to get.

The rules for employment agencies and businesses: licences, vulnerable people, opting out, job advertisements, transfer fees, trade unions, terms and conditions and contracts, travel and accommodation for work-seekers

Apply for British citizenship if you have a British parent - who's eligible, fees and how to apply

Check you can get a divorce, agree or disagree with a divorce application, what to do if your husband or wife lacks mental capacity.

What to do if you think you are a victim of identity theft or fraud, and what signs to look out for.

• Updated: 29 November 2023

Government People Group (GPG) is the strategic and functional centre for the Government People Function and human resources (HR) in the Civil Service. GPG is part of the Cabinet Office and the Civil Service .

• Updated: 4 April 2024

Minimum working age and pay for children, how to apply for performance licences and what local council bylaws say about employing children, paying someone over 16

Apply for asylum to stay in the UK as a refugee - eligibility, documents you need, how to apply, screening, asylum interview, help you can get, children