Skilled Worker Visa: Sponsor Responsibilities
The Skilled Worker route remains the primary work visa under the UK’s employer-sponsored immigration system. For many organisations, it provides a vital pathway to attract and retain skilled global talent. However, following the 2025 reforms, the sponsorship landscape has become more complex. Higher salary thresholds, revised occupation codes and stricter monitoring mean employers must now […]
How to Comply With Your Sponsor Licence Duties
For UK employers, holding a sponsor licence brings both opportunity and responsibility. The ability to recruit international talent supports business growth and skills development, but it also comes with strict Home Office requirements around governance, reporting and record-keeping. UKVI is also making full use of digital audits, data sharing and compliance visits, making strong internal […]
Guide to Unsponsored UK Work Visas
Not every UK work visa requires employer sponsorship. Several unsponsored routes allow individuals to live and work in the UK with greater flexibility and fewer compliance steps. These categories often suit applicants who already hold qualifications, professional experience or heritage ties that make them eligible without a sponsoring employer. Unsponsored routes are especially valuable where […]
UK Study Visa Options: Student, Child, Short-term
While the colloquial term “study visa UK” is widely used, it’s important to recognise that it is not, in fact, an official route under the UK’s Immigration Rules. The term “study visa” actually refers to three specific visa categories that cater to different educational needs: a. Student Visa: for individuals aged 16 or over, […]
Sponsor Licence Revocation UK Guide
A sponsor licence is the Home Office approval that enables UK employers to lawfully sponsor overseas workers. When a licence is revoked, the permission to sponsor is removed across all routes and the organisation is taken off the public register. There is no statutory right of appeal or Administrative Review; the public-law route of challenge […]
Sponsor Licence Refusal Guide UK
This guide explains what a sponsor licence refusal or rejection means for UK employers. It sets out the legal position on appeal rights, refunds, cooling-off periods, and reapplication strategy under current Home Office sponsor policy and guidance. It also covers the practical steps to take after a refusal, how to avoid invalid applications that lead […]
Sponsor Licence Number: UKVI Guide for Employers
A sponsor licence number (SLN) is the unique identifier issued by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to an organisation that has been approved to sponsor overseas workers. It functions as a critical reference point, linking the organisation to its immigration compliance record, sponsorship activity, and any Home Office enforcement history. Employers and educational institutions holding […]
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) UK Guide 2025
What this article is about: This guide sets out the current UK rules on Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), including who qualifies, how continuous residence and absences are assessed, Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK (KoLL) requirements, suitability and refusal grounds, the application process, fees and timelines, dependants, proving and keeping ILR, and […]
Sponsor Licence Lawyers UK
The UK sponsor licence regime is one of the most tightly regulated aspects of immigration law. Employers must not only obtain a licence to sponsor non-UK workers but also maintain ongoing compliance with Home Office requirements throughout the life of that licence. For many organisations, the complexities of eligibility, documentation, audits and enforcement present significant […]
Sponsor Licence Downgrade Guide UK
Sponsor licence compliance is a cornerstone of the UK immigration system. Where an employer fails to meet its sponsorship duties, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) can take enforcement action, including downgrading the organisation’s licence rating. A downgrade reduces the sponsor’s ability to recruit overseas talent, imposes strict remedial requirements, and creates significant operational and reputational […]