Let's Talk
Need Help Urgently?
Call our 24 hour rapid response team0333 311 1090
now onRequest a callback
"*" indicates required fields
The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is a key immigration route for multinational companies looking to transfer key employees to the UK for temporary work assignments. It replaced the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa in 2022 under the Global Business Mobility (GBM) umbrella. This visa route offers a critical opportunity for companies to pursue UK-based growth through talent mobility.
To apply for the Senior or Specialist Worker visa, the applicant must first have a UK-based sponsor. The sponsor must hold a valid sponsor licence from the UK Home Office, which is the permission needed to lawfully take on a transferring senior manager or specialist employee. This licence is essential for the sponsoring organisation to assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the prospective employee, enabling them to apply for the Senior or Specialist Worker visa.
A Senior or Specialist Worker sponsor licence is the permission needed from the UK Home Office to lawfully take on a transferring senior manager or specialist employee. It replaced the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa in 2022 and is one of the five new immigration routes under the Global Business Mobility (GBM) umbrella. The sponsoring organisation must hold a valid sponsor licence to sponsor a transferring senior or specialist worker and assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for the worker to apply for the Senior or Specialist Worker visa.
To be eligible to sponsor a Senior or Specialist Worker, the sponsoring organisation must be operating lawfully in the UK and be linked by common ownership or control with an overseas business for which the applicant is currently working. Alternatively, the overseas business must have a joint venture with the sponsor on which the applicant is sponsored to work. The sponsor must also meet general requirements such as being genuine, honest, dependable, and capable of carrying out sponsorship duties.
In addition to the general requirements, the sponsoring organisation must offer genuine employment meeting the relevant skill and salary requirements under the Senior or Specialist Worker route. This includes demonstrating that the job on offer is genuine and not a sham, and meeting the skill level and salary requirements for the specific occupation code. Meeting the general and route-specific requirements is crucial for the sponsoring organisation to obtain and maintain a Senior or Specialist Worker sponsor licence.
The route-specific requirements for the Senior or Specialist Worker sponsor licence include sponsorship, skill level, and salary. The applicant must be assigned a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for the job they are planning to do for their UK sponsor. The CoS must confirm all necessary information, including job role and salary. The applicant must also have worked outside the UK for the sponsor group for a minimum of 12 months, known as the overseas work requirement unless they are applying as a high earner with a proposed annual salary in the UK of at least £73,900.
The job role must fall within an occupation code listed as eligible for the Senior or Specialist Worker route in Appendix Skilled Occupations of the UK’s Immigration Rules. The applicant must be paid a salary by the UK sponsor that is at or above the general salary threshold of £45,800 or the going rate for Senior or Specialist Workers for the specific occupation code.
An Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) licence is needed when a non-UK national is being transferred to a UK business linked to their overseas employer for a temporary work assignment. The ICT visa has been replaced by the Senior or Specialist Worker visa, which allows overseas companies to transfer key employees to the UK. The transfer must be within the same organisation or group of companies and involve a common ownership or control relationship.
To sponsor a transferring senior manager or specialist employee under the Senior or Specialist Worker route, the UK-based sponsor must hold a valid sponsor licence and assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the worker. The ICT licence is no longer available, and existing ICT visa- holders can apply to extend their visa under the new Senior or Specialist Worker rules.
To apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker sponsor licence, the sponsoring organisation must complete an online application and pay the relevant fees. The application requires the nomination of key personnel, including an Authorising Officer (AO), Key Contact (KC), and Level 1 user, who will be responsible for managing the sponsorship process.
The sponsoring organisation must also estimate the number of Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) they will need to assign in the first year of sponsorship. Detailed supporting documents must be submitted within 5 working days of the application date. These documents demonstrate that the sponsoring organisation meets the general and route-specific requirements for the Senior or Specialist Worker sponsor licence.
The application process can be complex, requiring detailed documentation to demonstrate the relationship between the UK-based business and the overseas employer, as well as the ability to offer genuine employment meeting the relevant skill and salary requirements. Seeking expert assistance is recommended to ensure a successful application.
How long do sponsor licence applications take to process?
The processing time for a Senior or Specialist Worker sponsor licence application is usually less than 8 weeks. However, if the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) decides to conduct a site visit, the processing time may be longer. It is important to submit a complete application with all the necessary supporting documents to avoid delays.
If the sponsor licence application is approved, it will be valid for 4 years, unless revoked or surrendered. The sponsor must renew the licence prior to expiry to continue sponsoring senior managers or specialist employees. It is important to note that the processing time may vary, and it is recommended to apply well in advance to allow for any unexpected delays.
How much is a Senior or Specialist Worker Sponsor Licence?
The cost of a Senior or Specialist Worker sponsor licence includes the application fee, the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC), and the fee for issuing a sponsorship certificate to an intra-company transferee. The application fee depends on the size and status of the sponsoring organisation, with fees ranging from £536 to £1,476.
The ISC is based on the size and charitable status of the sponsor, as well as the length of time the senior manager or specialist employee will be in the UK. The ISC ranges from £364 to £1,000 for the first 12 months, plus additional fees for every additional 6 months of stay.
In addition to the application fee and ISC, there is a fee of £239 for issuing each sponsorship certificate to an intra-company transferee. The visa applicant will also be required to pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) and other relevant fees for the visa application.
If your sponsor licence application is approved
If your sponsor licence application is approved, your organisation will be added to the online register of licensed sponsors. The Level 1 user will be given access to the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) to manage the sponsorship process. You will be able to assign valid Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to prospective employees, enabling them to apply for the Senior or Specialist Worker visa.
It is important to ensure that the assigned CoS is valid and that the prospective employee meets the relevant immigration requirements for the Senior or Specialist Worker route. The sponsorship process involves paying the appropriate fees for assigning the CoS and complying with sponsorship duties and obligations.
If your sponsor licence application is refused
If your sponsor licence application is refused, it means that the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has determined that you do not meet the necessary requirements for a sponsor licence. This can have significant ramifications for both the sponsoring organisation and prospective employees.
In case of refusal, there may be a cooling-off period of 6 to 12 months before reapplying, depending on the reason for the refusal. In extreme cases, the cooling-off period can be up to 5 years. It is crucial to seek expert advice from an immigration specialist before reapplying to maximise your chances of success.
Who is eligible for global mobility sponsor licence?
To be eligible for a global mobility sponsor licence, the sponsoring organisation must meet general and route-specific requirements specific to the Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes. The eligibility criteria vary depending on the type of GBM worker being sponsored, such as Senior or Specialist Workers.
The sponsoring organisation must demonstrate that it is genuine, operating lawfully, and capable of carrying out sponsorship duties. It must also meet specific requirements for each route, such as offering genuine employment meeting skill and salary requirements. Eligibility for a global mobility sponsor licence is essential for sponsoring overseas workers under the GBM routes.
What is the requirements for sponsor licence?
The requirements for a sponsor licence include general requirements that the sponsoring organisation is genuine, operating lawfully, and capable of carrying out sponsorship duties.
Additionally, the organisation must meet specific requirements for each route, such as offering genuine employment meeting skill and salary requirements.
The requirements for a sponsor licence depend on the type of sponsorship, such as the Senior or Specialist Worker route. These requirements ensure that the sponsoring organisation is suitable to sponsor overseas workers and comply with immigration rules and regulations. Meeting the requirements is crucial for obtaining and maintaining a sponsor licence.
How much does a sponsor licence cost in UK?
The cost of a sponsor licence in the UK depends on the type of licence sought, such as a Worker or Temporary Worker licence. The application fee for a licence varies based on the size and charitable status of the sponsoring organisation.
In addition to the application fee, there are other costs associated with a sponsor licence, such as the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) and fees for issuing sponsorship certificates to migrant workers.
The total cost of a sponsor licence can vary based on the size and status of the sponsoring organisation and the number of migrant workers sponsored.
Can I apply for a sponsor licence online?
Yes, you can apply for a sponsor licence online through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website. The online application process requires the submission of relevant documents and payment of the application fee. The sponsor licence is essential for a UK-based organisation to sponsor a senior manager or specialist employee under the Senior or Specialist Worker visa category.
How long does the sponsor licence application process take?
The sponsor licence application process usually takes less than 8 weeks. However, the processing time may be longer if a site visit by UKVI is required. It is advisable to apply well in advance to ensure timely approval. The sponsor licence is valid for 4 years and must be renewed before expiry if the sponsoring organisation wishes to continue sponsoring senior managers or specialist employees.
What are the costs involved in applying for a sponsor licence?
The costs involved in applying for a sponsor licence include the application fee, the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC), and the fee for issuing each sponsorship certificate. The application fee depends on the size and status of the sponsoring organisation, with different fees for small or charitable sponsors and medium or large sponsors. The ISC is based on the size and charitable status of the sponsoring organisation, as well as the length of stay of the senior manager or specialist employee in the UK.
Can a refused application be appealed or reapplied?
If a sponsor licence application is refused, there may be a cooling-off period before a reapplication can be made. The length of the cooling-off period depends on the reason for the refusal and can range from 6 to 12 months, or up to 5 years in extreme cases. It is important to seek expert advice and review the reasons for the refusal before deciding whether to reapply or appeal the decision.
How often do I need to renew my sponsor licence?
The sponsor licence needs to be renewed before its expiry, which is typically after 4 years. Renewal of the sponsor licence allows the sponsoring organisation to continue sponsoring senior managers or specialist employees under the Senior or Specialist Worker visa category. It is important to plan ahead and submit the renewal application in a timely manner to avoid any disruption in sponsorship.
We are always happy to talk about any legal concern you may have regarding criminal law matters.
Get In TouchIf you need assistance with an ICT sponsor licence or the new Senior or Specialist Worker sponsor licence, our team of immigration experts can provide the necessary guidance and support. We have extensive experience in all areas of immigration law, including sponsor licence applications.
As immigration lawyers and former Home Office employees, we understand the complexities of the application process and the importance of meeting the requirements. We can navigate the various evidential requirements, maximise your chances of success, and ensure compliance with immigration rules and regulations. Contact us for expert advice and assistance with your ICT sponsor licence.
Call our 24 hour rapid response team0333 311 1090
now on"*" indicates required fields
"*" indicates required fields