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 a sponsor licence must use their SLN in formal dealings with the Home Office, including through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) and when assigning Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to workers.

This guide explains what a sponsor licence number is, when it is used, how to apply for one, and how it relates to other key identifiers such as the CoS number. It also clarifies how sponsors and prospective workers can verify whether an organisation holds a valid sponsor licence, and the compliance risks tied to the misuse of the SLN.

Section A: What is a sponsor licence number?

A sponsor licence number (SLN) is a reference number allocated by UKVI to every organisation approved to act as a licensed sponsor. It is issued at the point when the Home Office grants a sponsor licence following a successful application. The SLN is unique to each sponsor and will remain valid only while the licence is active and not revoked or expired.

The SLN is not transferable between organisations. If a business undergoes a significant structural change such as merger, acquisition, or change of ownership, the licence holder cannot transfer the SLN to a successor entity. In such cases, a new sponsor licence application must normally be made by the new or restructured business.

When a sponsor licence is granted, the decision letter from UKVI will confirm the licence rating, the categories of visa route for which the sponsor is approved, the number of Certificates of Sponsorship that may initially be assigned, and the sponsor licence number. This number is then linked permanently to the licence-holder’s UKVI records, where compliance activity, previous applications, and any enforcement actions are logged.

The sponsor licence number is therefore more than a simple reference. It is the central identifier for sponsorship, enabling UKVI to monitor sponsor activity across the lifetime of the licence.

Section B: When do you use a sponsor licence number?

The sponsor licence number must be quoted in formal communications with UKVI. It is primarily used by the Authorising Officer (AO), the Key Contact (KC), or an approved SMS User when corresponding with the Home Office, managing the licence through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS), or assigning Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS). The SLN acts as the anchor reference that connects the sponsor’s submissions and sponsorship activity to its compliance record.

When applying for a sponsor licence, the organisation must nominate key personnel, including the AO and KC. These roles carry strict suitability criteria: they cannot have unspent criminal convictions for immigration or specified offences, cannot be subject to bankruptcy restrictions, and must usually be based in the UK. The AO must be the most senior individual responsible for recruitment and compliance, while the KC serves as the main liaison with UKVI. Either or both may also act as SMS Users if formally appointed.

Once licensed, the sponsor will gain access to the SMS, the secure online platform used for all sponsorship activity. At the outset, only the Level 1 SMS User named on the application has access, but additional Level 1 or Level 2 Users can be appointed later. Level 1 Users have full operational powers, including assigning CoS and updating licence details, while Level 2 Users have limited permissions. The AO and KC will not automatically gain SMS access and must be explicitly registered if they need to use the system.

Correct use of the SLN is critical. Errors or misuse can result in case mismatches, visa refusals, compliance risks, or even licence suspension. Common issues include quoting the wrong SLN, attempting to assign CoS while suspended, or continuing to use an expired SLN after licence expiry. To minimise these risks, organisations should maintain secure but accessible records of the SLN, train authorised personnel, and implement quality control checks on correspondence and CoS assignments.

Because the SLN is central to all sponsorship activity, it must be used consistently and correctly. Failure to do so risks disruption to recruitment, visa refusals, and Home Office enforcement action.

Section C: How to apply for a sponsor licence number

To obtain a sponsor licence number, an organisation must apply to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for a sponsor licence. The SLN is issued only after a licence application has been approved, meaning the business has successfully met all eligibility, suitability, and route-specific requirements.

Applicants must show they are genuine and operating lawfully in the UK. UKVI will assess whether the organisation is trustworthy and capable of carrying out sponsorship duties. This includes checks on the organisation’s background, key personnel, recruitment practices, and HR systems. Any history of non-compliance with immigration law or relevant criminal convictions by those involved may result in refusal.

Each application must also satisfy the requirements of the specific route under which the business intends to sponsor workers. For example, under the Skilled Worker route, the business must demonstrate that it has a genuine vacancy that meets minimum skill and salary thresholds, and that the vacancy is not created purely to facilitate migration. This “genuine vacancy” requirement is assessed strictly by UKVI.

UKVI may conduct a pre-licence compliance visit or a desk-based audit before making a decision. These checks assess whether the organisation has the systems in place to monitor its sponsored workers, meet record-keeping and reporting duties, and comply with immigration control requirements.

The sponsor licence application process involves several steps:

• Register the organisation’s details with UKVI through the online application portal.
• Complete the online application form and pay the appropriate fee (small or charitable sponsors pay a reduced fee).
• Prepare the mandatory supporting documents listed in Appendix A of the sponsor guidance.
• Print, sign, and date the submission sheet, which must be sent to UKVI with the supporting documents within five working days of submitting the application.

UKVI’s standard processing time for a sponsor licence application is up to 8 weeks. If a compliance visit is required or further evidence is requested, this can take longer. A limited priority processing service is available for an additional £500, which, if successful, reduces consideration time to 10 working days. Availability is capped and places are released daily on a first-come, first-served basis.

If the application is approved, the sponsor licence number will be issued alongside confirmation of the licence rating and permitted visa routes. The licence holder can then assign Certificates of Sponsorship to eligible workers.

Because the sponsor licence application is scrutinised closely, applicants must ensure they meet all requirements before submission. Any refusal will be recorded on the organisation’s immigration history and may trigger a cooling-off period before reapplying. Preparing well-documented HR systems, evidencing compliance, and ensuring key personnel meet suitability criteria are all vital steps to securing approval.

Section D: How do you check an organisation’s sponsor licence number?

The sponsor licence number itself is not generally made publicly available. Organisations receive their SLN in the official decision letter from UKVI and it is visible within the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). However, external parties such as job applicants cannot usually access an employer’s SLN directly.

For those seeking to verify whether a UK-based organisation holds a valid sponsor licence, the primary tool is the official Register of Licensed Sponsors: Workers. This public list is updated daily and shows which employers are currently licensed to sponsor workers. The register confirms the organisation’s name, its location, and the categories of visa routes for which it is authorised, including Skilled Worker and Temporary Worker categories.

The register does not disclose the sponsor licence number, nor does it indicate whether the employer is actively recruiting. It also does not separately publish details of suspended sponsors. If an organisation’s name is removed from the register, this generally indicates suspension or revocation of its licence. Downgraded sponsors remain on the register but are displayed with a B-rating.

The categories shown on the register include:

• Worker routes: Skilled Worker, Minister of Religion, International Sportsperson, and Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker.
• Temporary Worker routes: Creative Worker, Charity Worker, Religious Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, International Agreement Worker, Seasonal Worker, and additional Global Business Mobility sub-routes such as Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, and Secondment Worker. The Scale-up route is also included.

For job seekers, the Register of Licensed Sponsors is an essential resource, but it should be noted that being listed as a sponsor does not confirm current recruitment activity. Applicants will still need to research individual employers to establish whether vacancies exist for sponsored roles.

In addition, the Home Office publishes a quarterly list of civil penalties for illegal working. While separate from the Register, this “name and shame” list identifies employers fined for employing workers without valid immigration permission. Although distinct from sponsorship, such penalties can have serious implications for a sponsor’s licence and immigration history.

Section E: Is a sponsor licence number the same as a CoS number?

The sponsor licence number (SLN) and the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) number are not the same. They are distinct identifiers used for different purposes within the UK immigration system.

The SLN is the reference allocated by UKVI to the licensed organisation itself. It identifies the sponsor and links all of its activity, compliance history, and Home Office records. The CoS number, by contrast, is a unique electronic reference generated each time the sponsor assigns a certificate to a worker for a specific job role. Each sponsored worker must use their CoS number when applying for a visa.

The following table highlights the key differences between the two identifiers:

To be valid, a CoS must be issued for a genuine vacancy that meets the eligibility criteria of the relevant route, such as minimum salary and skill thresholds for the Skilled Worker route. The worker must then use the CoS number in their visa application within three months of its assignment. By contrast, the SLN remains constant throughout the lifetime of the licence, provided the sponsor retains its licence in good standing.

Section F: How do you find a UK employer with a sponsor licence number?

There is no public directory of sponsor licence numbers themselves, but you can identify employers that hold a valid sponsor licence by using the official Register of Licensed Sponsors for workers. The register lists organisations approved by UKVI to sponsor workers, shows their current rating (A or B), and indicates which immigration routes they are licensed for (for example, Skilled Worker or specific Temporary Worker routes). It does not confirm whether the employer is recruiting at any given time, and it does not display the sponsor licence number.

When shortlisting employers for sponsored roles, focus on three checks: (1) the organisation appears on the register, (2) it is licensed for the route relevant to your role, and (3) it holds an A-rating where required. Under the Skilled Worker rules, a sponsor must be A-rated to assign new Certificates of Sponsorship, save for limited scenarios where a worker is continuing with the same sponsor under their last grant of permission. B-rated sponsors remain subject to an action plan and generally cannot assign new CoS until reinstated to A-rating.

Use the following practical approach to build a target list:

• Start with the official register to confirm sponsor status, rating, and eligible routes.
• Cross-check the employer’s website and reputable job boards for live vacancies matching eligible occupations.
• Map roles to the appropriate immigration route (for example, Skilled Worker) and verify that advertised salaries meet route-specific thresholds.
• For global groups, identify the specific UK entity named on the register to avoid mismatches during the application process.
• Record the employer’s name and details exactly as shown on the register to prevent administrative discrepancies later.

Remember that being listed as a licensed sponsor does not oblige an employer to offer sponsorship for all roles or at all times. Recruitment needs, salary bands, and internal policy may limit sponsorship to specific positions or periods. Always confirm the sponsor’s willingness to sponsor the specific role before progressing.

Finally, monitor the employer’s licence status over time. Ratings can change, and suspensions or revocations can occur. If an employer disappears from the register, this often indicates suspension or revocation; candidates and HR teams should pause sponsorship plans until status is clarified or restored.

Section G: Need assistance?

Managing a sponsor licence number involves more than simply holding a reference code. It requires continuous compliance with UKVI rules, accurate use of the SLN in correspondence, and ensuring authorised staff understand their responsibilities. Organisations must be audit-ready at all times, as UKVI can conduct compliance checks with little notice. Failing to meet these duties risks suspension, downgrading, or revocation of the licence, which can directly affect overseas recruitment and the business’s ability to operate effectively.

Employers should ensure:

• The sponsor licence number is kept secure but accessible to authorised personnel.
• Key staff such as the Authorising Officer, Key Contact, and SMS Users are fully trained on when and how the SLN should be used.
• Internal HR processes align with sponsor duties, including record-keeping, reporting changes promptly, and ensuring vacancies meet the eligibility requirements for sponsorship.
• Licence renewal deadlines are tracked carefully to prevent lapses that would invalidate the SLN.

External immigration advisers can also support sponsors in meeting their obligations. Advisers may assist with licence applications, compliance audits, training HR teams, or responding to UKVI enforcement action. While sponsors remain legally responsible for compliance, professional guidance can help safeguard the SLN and ensure recruitment activity is not disrupted by regulatory failings.

Section H: Sponsor licence number FAQs

1. What is a Sponsor Licence Number (SLN)?

A Sponsor Licence Number is a unique reference allocated by UKVI to every approved sponsor. It identifies the organisation within the Home Office system and is required for all sponsorship activity, including assigning Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to workers. Education providers also receive an SLN when licensed to sponsor international students, which underpins the issue of Confirmations of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

2. Where can I find my Sponsor Licence Number?

The SLN is stated in the sponsor licence approval letter issued by UKVI. It can also be found within the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) under the organisation’s licence details. Only nominated and authorised personnel with SMS access will be able to view this information.

3. Who needs a Sponsor Licence Number?

Any UK employer hiring skilled workers from overseas under a sponsored visa route must hold a sponsor licence and an associated SLN. Educational institutions recruiting international students are also required to have a sponsor licence and SLN in order to issue CAS.

4. What happens if my sponsor licence is revoked?

If the licence is revoked, the SLN becomes invalid. The organisation loses its ability to sponsor workers or students, and individuals sponsored under that licence may have their visas curtailed. Unless they switch to another valid route, they may need to leave the UK.

5. Can a Sponsor Licence Number be transferred to another business?

No. An SLN is unique to the specific licence-holder. If a business undergoes an acquisition, merger, or structural change, the SLN does not transfer to the new entity. In most cases, a new sponsor licence application is required.

6. How do I check if an organisation has a valid sponsor licence?

You can check whether an organisation is licensed by searching the public Register of Licensed Sponsors on GOV.UK. The register confirms which organisations hold a valid sponsor licence, their current rating, and the immigration routes they are authorised to use. The SLN itself is not published.

7. What are the responsibilities of a sponsor licence holder?

Sponsors must comply with duties set out in the Immigration Rules and sponsor guidance. These include keeping accurate records, reporting changes to UKVI, conducting right to work checks, and ensuring sponsored roles meet the visa route requirements. Non-compliance may lead to downgrading, suspension, or revocation of the licence.

8. Can a business hold more than one sponsor licence?

An organisation can hold a single licence that covers multiple visa routes, such as Skilled Worker and Temporary Worker categories. Each licence has one SLN that applies to all approved routes under that licence. In limited cases, separate licences may be required for distinct entities within a group.

Section I: Glossary

Section J: Additional Resources and Links