UK Sponsor Licence Application Timeline: What to Expect

Planning to apply for a UK sponsor licence? Understanding the timeline helps you plan effectively and set realistic expectations. This guide walks through each stage of the process.

Overview: Total Timeline

Typical end-to-end timeline: 6-12 weeks

Phase	Duration
Preparation	2-4 weeks
Application submission	1 day
Home Office processing	4-8 weeks (standard)
Post-approval setup	1-2 weeks
First CoS assignment	Within days of setup

With priority service, processing reduces to approximately 10 working days.

Phase 1: Preparation (2-4 Weeks)

Week 1-2: Initial Assessment

Day 1-3: Eligibility Check

Confirm your organisation can legitimately sponsor
Review your business structure and status
Identify any potential barriers

Day 4-7: Identify Key Personnel

Choose Authorising Officer
Designate Key Contact
Identify Level 1 and Level 2 users
Brief selected individuals on responsibilities

Day 8-14: System Review

Assess current HR systems
Identify gaps in record-keeping
Plan compliance processes
Set up document storage

Week 3-4: Document Gathering

Required Documents:

For most businesses:

Certificate of Incorporation (Companies House)
Current accounts or bank statements
VAT registration (if applicable)
Employer’s liability insurance certificate
Evidence of business premises

For specific situations:

Franchise agreements
Contracts showing genuine business activities
Evidence of trading history

Document Quality:

Must be original or certified copies
Dated within last 12 months where relevant
Clearly showing company name and registration

Phase 2: Application Submission (1 Day)

The Application Form

Information Required:

About Your Organisation:

Legal structure and registration details
Trading names
UK addresses
Number of employees
Annual turnover

About Key Personnel:

Full names and dates of birth
Job titles and responsibilities
Contact details
Passport/ID information

About Your Sponsorship Plans:

Types of workers you plan to sponsor
Roles and skill levels
Approximate numbers
Justification for needing overseas workers

Submitting the Application

Via Sponsor Management System (SMS):

Create organisation account
Complete online application
Upload supporting documents
Pay application fee
Submit for assessment

Payment:

Small/charitable sponsor: £574
Medium/large sponsor: £1,579
Priority processing: Additional £500

Phase 3: Home Office Processing

Standard Processing (4-8 Weeks)

What Happens:

Application assigned to caseworker
Document review and verification
Checks against other government databases
Assessment of suitability

During This Period:

You may receive requests for additional information
Respond promptly to any queries
Home Office may contact references or verifiers

Priority Processing (10 Working Days)

Available for additional £500:

Faster assignment to caseworker
Expedited review process
Same assessment standards
Worth considering for urgent hiring needs

Compliance Visit Timing

The Home Office may conduct a pre-decision compliance visit:

Before Approval:

More common for first-time sponsors
Verifies information in application
Checks systems and processes
Can extend timeline if issues found

After Approval:

May occur within first year
Unannounced visits possible
Checks ongoing compliance

Phase 4: Decision Notification

If Approved

You’ll Receive:

Email notification of approval
Licence number
SMS access credentials
Initial CoS allocation (for Defined CoS)

Licence Details:

A-rating (standard for new sponsors)
Licence type confirmation
Any conditions or restrictions

If Refused

Common Refusal Reasons:

Insufficient documentation
Failure to demonstrate genuine need
Concerns about systems and processes
Key personnel issues
Business not genuinely operating

Options After Refusal:

Request administrative review
Reapply (after addressing issues)
Seek professional advice

Phase 5: Post-Approval Setup (1-2 Weeks)

Week 1: Account Configuration

Immediate Actions:

Day 1-2: Access SMS

Log into Sponsor Management System
Familiarise with interface
Review your organisation details

Day 3-5: Set Up Users

Add Level 1 users
Add Level 2 users (if needed)
Assign appropriate permissions
Brief users on their roles

Day 6-7: Review Processes

Confirm compliance procedures
Set up reporting reminders
Prepare record-keeping systems

Week 2: Ready to Sponsor

Before Assigning CoS:

Confirm job details and salary
Complete any required checks
Gather worker information
Ensure role meets requirements

Phase 6: First Certificate of Sponsorship

Defined CoS (Applying from Overseas)

Check Your Allocation:

View available CoS in SMS
Request more if needed (with justification)
Each Defined CoS costs £525 (for Skilled Worker routes)

Assigning the CoS:

Enter worker details
Confirm job information
Set salary and start date
Assign and note reference number
Provide reference to worker for visa application

Undefined CoS (Switching in UK)

No Allocation Needed:

Create on demand
Still £525 per CoS (for Skilled Worker routes)
Assign when needed

Timeline Accelerators

Ways to Speed Up the Process

Preparation Phase:

Have documents ready before starting
Use immigration adviser for complex situations
Clear decision-makers’ diaries for approvals

Processing Phase:

Pay for priority processing
Respond to queries same day
Have documents easily accessible

Post-Approval Phase:

Pre-plan user setup
Brief key personnel in advance
Have first sponsorship ready to assign

Common Delays and How to Avoid Them

Document Issues

Problem: Missing or inadequate documents
Solution: Use Home Office checklist, get professional review

Key Personnel Changes

Problem: Staff changes during application
Solution: Update immediately, have backups identified

Compliance Concerns

Problem: Pre-decision visit reveals issues
Solution: Prepare thoroughly, conduct internal audit first

Query Response Delays

Problem: Slow responses to Home Office questions
Solution: Monitor SMS regularly, have documents accessible

Realistic Planning Timeline

Planning to Hire in 3 Months

Week	Activity
Week 1-2	Preparation and documents
Week 3	Submit application (priority)
Week 4-5	Processing
Week 6	Approval and setup
Week 7-8	Assign CoS
Week 9-12	Worker applies and receives visa

Planning to Hire in 6 Months

Month	Activity
Month 1	Preparation
Month 2	Submit application (standard)
Month 3-4	Processing and approval
Month 5	Setup and CoS assignment
Month 6	Worker visa processing

Conclusion

The sponsor licence process typically takes 6-12 weeks from start to first sponsorship. Careful preparation and prompt responses to queries help ensure the smoothest possible timeline.

Already licensed? Check your organisation appears correctly in our Sponsor Directory so candidates can find you.