If you are looking for a job in the UK and need visa sponsorship, one of the first questions you should ask is:
Does the company have a UK sponsorship licence?
This matters because you generally need a job offer from an approved UK employer if you want to apply for a Skilled Worker visa. The employer must be licensed by the Home Office to sponsor workers on the relevant immigration route.
The good news is that you do not have to rely only on what an employer tells you.
The UK government publishes an official Register of licensed sponsors. You can search the register to check whether an organisation is currently licensed to sponsor workers and see information about its sponsorship category, rating and route. The register was most recently updated on 24 September 2026.
But there is an important catch.
Finding a company on the list does not automatically mean that the company will sponsor you for every job.
The company may:
- Hold a licence for a particular immigration route;
- Be licensed for Skilled Worker but not another route;
- Have an A-rated licence;
- Have restrictions relating to the roles it can sponsor;
- Have no current vacancy suitable for sponsorship;
- Decide not to sponsor a particular position;
- Offer a role that does not meet the visa requirements.
So, if you are searching for how to check if a company has sponsorship licence, you need to check more than the company name.
This guide explains exactly how to do it in 2026, what the official register means, how to check a company’s sponsorship route and rating, what to do if the company is not listed, and how to verify whether a specific job can actually lead to sponsorship.
How to Check If a Company Has a Sponsorship Licence
The simplest method is to use the official Home Office register.
Step 1: Find the official sponsor register
The UK government maintains a register called:
Register of licensed sponsors: workers
It lists organisations licensed to sponsor workers under the Worker and Temporary Worker immigration routes. The register includes the organisation name, location, sponsor type and rating, and route.
The current register was updated on 24 September 2026.
This should be your starting point.
Do not rely solely on:
- recruitment websites;
- social media posts;
- job advertisements;
- third-party sponsorship lists;
- old blog posts;
- claims made by recruiters.
A company can change its immigration status after a third-party website publishes its information.
The government register is the appropriate official source to check.
Step 2: Search for the Company’s Exact Name
Once you have the register, search for the employer’s name.
This sounds easy, but company names can be surprisingly confusing.
For example, a business may advertise itself as:
ABC Healthcare
while its legal name may appear as:
ABC Healthcare Services Limited
Or a business might use a trading name:
London Recruitment Group
while the sponsor register lists a different legal entity.
Therefore, if you cannot find the name you saw in the job advert, do not immediately assume that the company does not have a sponsor licence.
Check:
- the company’s website;
- the job advertisement;
- Companies House information;
- the employment contract if you already have one;
- the company’s legal name;
- any “trading as” name.
The sponsor register uses the organisation name recorded by the Home Office, so an exact or close match is important.
Step 3: Check the Sponsor Type
Finding the company name is only the beginning.
The register contains a Type & Rating column.
You may see entries such as:
Worker (A rating)
This tells you that the organisation holds a Worker sponsor licence and has an A rating.
The register also identifies the immigration route.
For example, the current register contains entries showing:
Worker (A rating) — Skilled Worker.
This is particularly important if you are looking for a Skilled Worker visa.
Step 4: Check the Route
This is one of the most important parts of checking a sponsorship licence.
A company might appear on the register but not necessarily sponsor the visa route you need.
The register identifies the relevant route.
For example:
| Register information | What it means |
|---|---|
| Worker | The company has a Worker sponsor licence |
| A rating | The sponsor has an A-rated licence |
| Skilled Worker | The organisation is licensed for the Skilled Worker route |
| Temporary Worker | Sponsorship is connected to a Temporary Worker route |
| Other route | The licence may relate to another immigration category |
If your objective is a Skilled Worker visa, you should confirm that the company is licensed under the Skilled Worker route.
Do not stop after seeing the words:
“Worker licence.”
You need to establish whether the relevant route covers the job you are considering.
What Is a UK Sponsorship Licence?
A sponsor licence is permission granted by the Home Office to an eligible organisation that wants to sponsor workers under the applicable immigration routes.
For a Skilled Worker application, the employer must generally be an approved sponsor.
GOV.UK explains that approved UK employers are also known as sponsors because they sponsor workers to come to or remain in the UK.
The licence does not mean the company can sponsor absolutely anyone for absolutely any position.
The employer still has to comply with:
- sponsorship rules;
- immigration requirements;
- reporting duties;
- record-keeping requirements;
- role requirements;
- salary requirements;
- applicable route-specific rules.
The Home Office’s current sponsor guidance explains that licensed sponsors have continuing duties and that compliance can affect their licence.
What Does an A-Rated Sponsor Mean?
If you see:
Worker (A rating)
that is significant.
An A-rated sponsor has an approved full sponsor licence and can generally assign Certificates of Sponsorship where the relevant requirements are met.
GOV.UK states that an A-rated licence is a full sponsor licence and allows the sponsor to start assigning Certificates of Sponsorship.
However, an A rating does not mean:
“Every employee can automatically get a Skilled Worker visa.”
It means the employer has the relevant sponsor licence and is currently operating with that sponsor rating.
The specific job still needs to meet the immigration requirements.
Does Being on the Sponsor List Guarantee Sponsorship?
No.
This is one of the biggest misunderstandings among international job seekers.
Suppose you find:
XYZ Ltd — Worker (A rating) — Skilled Worker
on the government register.
That tells you the company is a licensed sponsor for the relevant route.
It does not necessarily tell you:
- Whether XYZ Ltd is recruiting;
- Whether the vacancy is eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship;
- Whether the company sponsors new overseas applicants;
- Whether it sponsors your particular occupation;
- Whether the employer will offer sponsorship for this particular vacancy;
- Whether the salary meets the applicable threshold;
- Whether the employer has decided to sponsor the position.
Therefore, checking the licence is step one, not the entire visa assessment.
How to Check Whether a Specific Job Is Eligible for Sponsorship
This is where your research needs to go one step further.
Imagine you find a company on the register.
The next question is:
“Can this particular job be sponsored?”
You need to consider the job itself.
For a Skilled Worker application, factors can include:
- Occupation code;
- Job duties;
- Skill level;
- Salary;
- Going rate;
- Applicable salary options;
- Immigration route;
- Transitional arrangements;
- Any route-specific restrictions.
The employer must also issue a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.
GOV.UK confirms that a Skilled Worker applicant must have a job offer from an approved UK employer before applying and that the employer provides a Certificate of Sponsorship as an electronic record.
So the process is:
Company licensed?
↓
Correct sponsorship route?
↓
Job eligible?
↓
Salary meets requirements?
↓
Employer willing to sponsor?
↓
Certificate of Sponsorship issued?
↓
Visa application
That is a much more accurate way to think about sponsorship.
How to Check If a Company Has a Skilled Worker Licence
If you specifically want a Skilled Worker job, follow this checklist.
1. Find the employer
Identify the company’s exact legal name.
2. Open the official sponsor register
Use the latest Home Office register.
3. Search the organisation
Look for the employer’s legal name or relevant trading name.
4. Check the rating
Look for the sponsor rating.
5. Check the route
Confirm that Skilled Worker appears as the relevant route.
6. Check the job
Read the vacancy carefully.
7. Ask the employer
Ask directly:
“Is this position eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship?”
8. Confirm the salary
Check whether the proposed salary meets the applicable immigration requirements.
9. Confirm sponsorship before accepting the offer
A company having a licence does not automatically mean that the particular vacancy includes sponsorship.
What If the Company Is Not on the List?
If you cannot find the employer on the current register, there are several possibilities.
Possibility 1: The company does not have a sponsor licence
This is the simplest explanation.
If it is not licensed, it generally cannot simply issue a Certificate of Sponsorship as an approved sponsor.
Possibility 2: You Have the Wrong Company Name
This is extremely common.
The company may advertise under a trading name while the sponsor register contains the legal entity.
Try searching for:
- Limited/Ltd variations;
- parent company;
- subsidiary;
- registered company name;
- alternative spelling.
Possibility 3: The Licence Is New
There can be timing differences between an organisation receiving a licence and public information being updated.
For an important immigration decision, check the latest official register rather than relying on an old cached result.
Possibility 4: The Company Has a Different Sponsorship Category
The organisation might have a licence but not the route you need.
For example, it may be authorised for a Temporary Worker route rather than Skilled Worker.
This is why the route column matters.
Can a Company Apply for a Sponsorship Licence?
Yes.
If a business does not currently have a sponsor licence, it may be able to apply to become a sponsor if it meets the requirements.
GOV.UK states that an employer that is not currently approved can apply for a sponsor licence if it is eligible.
The Home Office’s sponsor guidance explains the application process and the eligibility requirements for organisations applying for Worker and Temporary Worker licences. The latest version of the guidance was updated in September 2026.
But this creates an important practical point for job seekers.
If an employer tells you:
“We don’t have a sponsor licence yet, but we’ll apply after you get the job.”
do not treat that as the same thing as already having sponsorship.
A sponsor licence application must be made, considered and approved before the employer can operate as a licensed sponsor.
How Much Does a UK Sponsor Licence Cost in 2026?
For employers considering sponsorship, the current Worker sponsor licence fee is:
Small or charitable sponsor
£611
Medium or large sponsor
£1,682
These are the current 2026 fees published by the Home Office.
The Home Office generally classifies an organisation as a small sponsor if at least two of the relevant conditions apply, including:
- annual turnover of £15 million or less;
- total assets of £7.5 million or less;
- 50 employees or fewer.
The exact classification should be checked against the current Home Office guidance.
How Long Does a Sponsor Licence Application Take?
GOV.UK currently states that sponsor licence applications usually take around 8 weeks to process.
There is also a priority service.
The current priority fee for expedited sponsor licence applications is:
£750
subject to the availability and rules of the service.
This means a company considering sponsorship should not necessarily wait until the last possible moment.
For an international recruitment campaign, sponsorship planning should happen before the preferred candidate is ready to submit a visa application.
Can an Employer Make You Pay the Sponsor Licence Fee?
The employer must pay the sponsor licence fee itself.
GOV.UK states that the sponsor must pay its own licence fee and that a licence may be revoked if the sponsor asks the sponsored worker to pay the fee or costs linked to the sponsor licence application.
This is an important warning for job seekers.
If someone tells you:
“Pay us £1,682 and we will arrange the company’s sponsor licence.”
be extremely careful.
A genuine sponsorship arrangement should be based on the official rules, not an informal payment arrangement.
What Is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
A sponsor licence and a Certificate of Sponsorship are different things.
Think of it this way:
Sponsor licence = employer permission to sponsor
Certificate of Sponsorship = specific sponsorship record for the worker
The Certificate of Sponsorship is electronic.
GOV.UK states that the worker needs the CoS reference number when making the visa application.
The current fee for a Worker Certificate of Sponsorship, except for certain International Sportsperson cases, is:
£525
The sponsor must pay this fee for the relevant sponsored routes.
Again, this is different from the sponsor licence fee.
What Is the Immigration Skills Charge?
Some employers sponsoring workers must also pay the Immigration Skills Charge.
The current rates are:
| Sponsor type | First 12 months | Each additional 6 months |
|---|---|---|
| Small/charitable sponsor | £480 | £240 |
| Medium/large sponsor | £1,320 | £660 |
The sponsor, not the sponsored worker, is responsible for paying this charge where it applies.
GOV.UK specifically states that sponsors must pay the charge themselves and that asking the sponsored worker to pay sponsorship-related costs can create serious compliance consequences.
This is another reason to understand what an employer is actually offering when it says:
“We provide visa sponsorship.”
Does a Sponsorship Licence Mean the Company Can Sponsor Any Job?
No.
This is perhaps the most important point in this entire article.
A sponsor licence is not a blank cheque.
A company might have:
Worker — A rating — Skilled Worker
but still be unable to sponsor a particular job because the position may not satisfy the relevant Skilled Worker requirements.
For example, the occupation may:
- Not meet the applicable skill requirement;
- Have salary issues;
- Fall under a restriction;
- Not meet the relevant going rate;
- Not be genuine;
- Not fit the sponsor’s business circumstances;
- Otherwise fail the applicable immigration requirements.
The employer must comply with the sponsor guidance when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship.
The current Home Office guidance explains that sponsors must provide information on the role, including start and end dates, salary and occupation codes, when assigning a CoS.
Why You Should Check the Sponsor Licence Before Applying for a Job
If you require sponsorship, this check can save you considerable time.
Imagine you find your ideal job.
You spend:
- Two hours preparing an application;
- Another hour tailoring your CV;
- Time preparing for interviews;
- Several weeks waiting for a response.
Then the employer says:
“We don’t sponsor this role.”
You have lost time that could have been spent applying to employers who actually offer sponsorship.
A quick sponsor-register check can help you filter opportunities.
A Better Job Search Strategy for International Applicants
If you need UK visa sponsorship, use a three-stage process.
Stage 1: Employer
Check whether the company is on the official sponsor register.
Stage 2: Vacancy
Check whether the specific vacancy is suitable for the relevant visa route.
Stage 3: Employer confirmation
Ask whether sponsorship is available for that particular role.
This creates a much stronger screening process than simply searching Google for:
“UK companies that sponsor visas.”
How to Ask an Employer About Sponsorship
You do not need to send a complicated immigration-law email.
A simple question is often enough:
“Could you please confirm whether this position is eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship and whether the company is able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for successful candidates?”
If the job advert says:
“Sponsorship available”
you can still ask for clarification.
You may want to establish:
- whether sponsorship applies to this exact vacancy;
- whether overseas applicants can apply;
- whether the salary meets the relevant requirements;
- whether the company expects the candidate to already have UK work permission;
- whether the employer will issue a Defined or relevant CoS where applicable.
What Does “Sponsorship Available” Really Mean?
Job advertisements can use different language.
You may see:
“Visa sponsorship available”
This generally suggests that the employer is willing to consider sponsorship.
But you should still confirm the details.
“Must have right to work in the UK”
This may mean the employer is not offering sponsorship for the vacancy.
“No sponsorship available”
This is straightforward.
“We are a licensed sponsor”
This tells you about the employer’s status but does not necessarily mean every vacancy is sponsored.
“Sponsorship may be available for the right candidate”
Ask for clarification before relying on it.
The wording of a job advert should not replace checking the official register and asking the employer about the specific role.
What If a Company Says It Has a Licence but You Cannot Find It?
Ask the employer for:
- Its exact legal name;
- Confirmation of its sponsor category;
- Confirmation of the relevant route;
- Details of the specific sponsoring entity.
You can then compare those details with the Home Office register.
This can be especially useful where the company operates through several subsidiaries.
For example:
ABC Group
may contain:
- ABC Holdings Ltd;
- ABC Healthcare Ltd;
- ABC Recruitment Ltd;
- ABC Services Ltd.
The company interviewing you might not be the entity that holds the sponsor licence.
That distinction matters.
The legal employer and sponsoring entity should be understood before you proceed.
Parent Companies and Subsidiaries: Be Careful
Large companies often operate through multiple legal entities.
You might apply for a job advertised under a well-known brand, but your employment contract could be with a subsidiary.
That subsidiary may or may not hold the relevant sponsor licence.
So ask:
“Which legal entity would employ me and which entity would issue my Certificate of Sponsorship?”
This is a much more useful question than simply:
“Does your group sponsor visas?”
Can a Recruitment Agency Sponsor You?
This depends on the circumstances and the sponsorship rules.
A recruitment agency being licensed does not automatically mean that it can sponsor you for a role where another business is the actual employer.
Sponsorship arrangements have specific requirements.
The sponsor must meet its duties and must not use sponsorship in a way that breaches the Immigration Rules or sponsor guidance.
The current Home Office sponsor guidance places continuing compliance obligations on licensed sponsors.
Therefore, if a recruiter tells you:
“We have a sponsor licence, so we can sponsor any job.”
that statement should not be accepted without checking the actual arrangement.
What Happens If a Sponsor Loses Its Licence?
A company’s sponsorship status can change.
A business may:
- Retain its licence;
- Be downgraded;
- Have restrictions imposed;
- Surrender its licence;
- Have its licence revoked;
- Become inactive.
The Home Office’s sponsor compliance guidance explains that sponsors have continuing duties and that action can be taken when they breach those duties.
This is why a sponsorship check is best done close to the time you apply or accept an offer.
An old screenshot showing that a company was a sponsor in 2024 does not prove that it remains a sponsor in 2026.
2026 Update: Sponsor Licence Rules Are Becoming More Digital
There are important sponsor-management changes in 2026.
From 3 September 2026, the Home Office began introducing mandatory multi-factor authentication for users of the Sponsorship Management System.
The Home Office expects mandatory MFA to be in place for all sponsors by November 2026.
This is primarily an employer-side change, but it shows the direction of the sponsorship system:
more secure digital access + stronger account controls + closer sponsor management.
For employers, this means keeping sponsor-management information accurate is becoming increasingly important.
2026 Update: Level 2 Sponsor Users Are Being Phased Out
Another significant 2026 change concerns Level 2 Users.
From 9 September 2026, sponsors can no longer appoint new Level 2 Users.
Existing Level 2 Users must be:
- converted to Level 1 Users if eligible; or
- deactivated.
The deadline for this is 8 March 2027.
This does not change how a job seeker checks the sponsor register, but it is relevant to employers managing sponsorship.
It also illustrates why businesses should not rely on outdated sponsor guidance.
The sponsorship system is actively changing.
2026 Update: Employers Must Keep Their Sponsor Systems Active
The Home Office now emphasises regular access to the Sponsorship Management System.
The current sponsor guidance recommends that a Level 1 User accesses the account at least monthly to review licence information, messages and changes. Inactive SMS users may be deactivated, and the Home Office warns that failure to manage users properly can put the licence at risk.
For employers, the message is straightforward:
Getting the licence is not the end of the process.
The business has to maintain it.
Sponsor Licence Compliance Does Not End After Approval
A company cannot simply:
Apply → Get licence → Sponsor workers → Forget about immigration compliance.
The sponsorship relationship continues.
Sponsor duties can include:
- reporting changes;
- monitoring sponsored workers;
- keeping records;
- complying with immigration requirements;
- maintaining suitable HR systems;
- reporting relevant worker changes;
- managing sponsorship users;
- cooperating with Home Office compliance activity.
The latest Home Office compliance guidance confirms that licensed sponsors have continuing sponsor duties and can face action for non-compliance.
This matters to employees too.
A sponsor with a strong compliance system is generally better placed to manage the administrative side of sponsorship properly.
What If Your Employer Is Not a Sponsor Yet?
If the company is otherwise eligible, it may be able to apply for a sponsor licence.
But this should be treated as a separate process.
The employer must:
- Establish eligibility;
- Apply;
- Pay the appropriate fee;
- Provide supporting documents;
- Nominate appropriate key personnel;
- Demonstrate that it can comply with sponsor duties;
- Pass the Home Office assessment;
- Receive the licence.
The Home Office may refuse a sponsor licence application, and the application fee is not refunded if the application is refused.
Therefore, an employer saying:
“We will get the licence later”
should not be treated as confirmation that sponsorship is available.
How Long Should You Wait for an Employer to Get a Licence?
There is no universal answer.
If an employer does not currently hold a licence, you need to consider:
- How quickly you need to start work;
- Whether the employer is eligible;
- Whether the employer has started the application;
- Whether the role itself is eligible;
- Whether you have another job offer;
- Your current immigration status;
- Whether the employer understands its sponsor duties.
The standard sponsor licence application is generally processed in around eight weeks, according to GOV.UK, although priority processing may be available.
This means sponsorship planning should begin early.
How to Avoid Sponsorship Scams
International job seekers are often targeted by people promising UK sponsorship.
Be cautious if someone says:
“Pay us and we will give you a sponsored job.”
or:
“Send money to secure your Certificate of Sponsorship.”
or:
“Buy a sponsor licence from us.”
A genuine sponsor licence is granted by the Home Office.
You should independently check the employer against the official sponsor register.
Also remember:
A sponsor licence does not guarantee a visa.
You still have to meet the requirements of the relevant immigration route.
Warning Signs When Looking for a Sponsored Job
Be particularly cautious where:
- The employer cannot give you its legal company name;
- The employer claims to be a sponsor but cannot be found on the register;
- The recruiter refuses to identify the sponsoring entity;
- You are asked for unusual upfront payments;
- The job description is vague;
- The salary appears inconsistent with the role;
- The employer promises a visa before assessing your eligibility;
- Someone guarantees that the visa will be approved;
- You are told to provide false information;
- The employer asks you to pay sponsorship costs that should be paid by the sponsor.
Do not assume that a professional-looking website makes an immigration offer genuine.
Verify it independently.
How to Check a Company’s Sponsorship Licence: Practical Example
Imagine you receive an offer from:
ABC Technology Ltd
The recruiter says:
“We can sponsor you under Skilled Worker.”
Step 1
Search the official sponsor register.
Step 2
Find:
ABC Technology Ltd
Step 3
Check:
Worker — A rating
Step 4
Check the route:
Skilled Worker
Step 5
Ask:
“Will this specific Software Developer position be sponsored under the Skilled Worker route?”
Step 6
Check the salary and occupation requirements.
Step 7
If successful, confirm that the company will issue the required Certificate of Sponsorship.
Only after these checks should you treat the offer as a realistic sponsorship opportunity.
What If the Company Appears on the List but Says It Does Not Sponsor?
That can happen.
A company may hold a sponsor licence but choose not to sponsor every vacancy.
For example, it may sponsor:
- Specialist technical roles;
- Senior positions;
- Healthcare positions;
- Specific shortage or eligible occupations;
while recruiting locally for other jobs.
The sponsor register tells you about the company’s licence.
It does not promise sponsorship for every vacancy.
Therefore, the employer’s answer about the specific job remains important.
Can You Ask HR to Confirm Sponsorship in Writing?
Yes.
In fact, it can be useful.
You can ask:
“Could you please confirm whether this role is eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship and whether the company would issue a Certificate of Sponsorship if I am selected?”
Written confirmation can help prevent misunderstandings later.
However, even written confirmation from HR should not replace checking the official sponsor register and the immigration requirements.
What Should International Job Seekers Check Before Applying?
Use this five-point test.
1. Employer
Is the company on the official Home Office sponsor register?
2. Route
Does it hold the relevant Skilled Worker or other appropriate Worker route?
3. Vacancy
Is the specific job potentially eligible for sponsorship?
4. Salary
Does the proposed salary satisfy the applicable immigration requirements?
5. Sponsorship
Has the employer confirmed that it will sponsor this particular role?
If all five questions have a clear answer, you have a much better understanding of the opportunity.
Why the Official Sponsor Register Matters in 2026
The sponsor register is more than a directory.
It gives applicants a way to independently verify an employer’s sponsorship status.
The current register includes:
- Organisation name;
- Town/city;
- County;
- Sponsor type and rating;
- Immigration route.
Because the register was updated on 24 September 2026, it is particularly useful for applicants researching sponsorship opportunities now.
That is much safer than relying on a random list of “UK visa sponsorship companies” published several years ago.
Future Planning: What Should Employers Do?
For UK businesses expecting to recruit international workers, sponsorship should be treated as part of workforce planning.
Before advertising an international recruitment role, an employer should consider:
Business need
Why is overseas recruitment necessary?
Sponsor licence
Does the company have the correct licence?
Role
Is the position eligible for sponsorship?
Salary
Does the proposed package satisfy the applicable immigration requirements?
Compliance
Does the company have the HR systems needed to manage sponsorship?
Timeline
Can the business complete the sponsorship process before the employee’s intended start date?
Ongoing management
Who will manage the Sponsorship Management System and reporting duties?
This becomes particularly important in 2026 because of changes to SMS security, MFA and Level 2 User arrangements.
Future Planning: What Should Employees Do?
For an international applicant, the best strategy is not to wait until an employer makes an offer.
Start checking sponsorship status while searching for jobs.
Create a list of potential employers and record:
| Employer | On sponsor register? | Route | Rating | Role sponsorship confirmed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company A | Yes | Skilled Worker | A | Yes |
| Company B | Yes | Skilled Worker | A | No |
| Company C | No | — | — | No |
| Company D | Yes | Temporary Worker | A | Not suitable for planned route |
This simple system can make your job search more efficient.
It also helps you avoid spending weeks applying to companies that cannot sponsor your intended route.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I check if a company has a sponsorship licence in the UK?
Use the official Home Office Register of licensed sponsors: workers. Search for the company’s legal name and check its sponsor type, rating and route. The register was updated on 24 September 2026.
2. Where can I find the UK sponsor licence list?
The Home Office publishes the Register of licensed sponsors: workers on GOV.UK. It contains organisations licensed to sponsor workers under the Worker and Temporary Worker routes.
3. Does being on the sponsor register guarantee a Skilled Worker visa?
No. The employer must have the appropriate sponsor licence, but the specific job and applicant must also meet the Skilled Worker requirements.
4. What does Worker (A rating) mean?
It means the organisation has an A-rated Worker sponsor licence. GOV.UK describes an A-rated licence as a full sponsor licence that allows the sponsor to assign Certificates of Sponsorship.
5. Can a company with a sponsor licence refuse to sponsor me?
Yes. A sponsor licence does not mean that every vacancy is sponsored. The employer can decide whether a particular position is eligible and whether it will sponsor the successful candidate.
6. Can a company apply for a sponsor licence if it does not have one?
Yes, provided it is eligible. GOV.UK allows eligible organisations to apply for Worker or Temporary Worker sponsor licences.
7. How much is a UK sponsor licence in 2026?
The Worker sponsor licence fee is currently £611 for a small or charitable sponsor and £1,682 for a medium or large sponsor.
8. How long does a sponsor licence application take?
GOV.UK says a sponsor licence application usually takes around eight weeks. A priority service may be available for an additional fee.
9. What is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
A Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic record issued by an approved sponsor for a sponsored worker. The worker receives a reference number that is used for the visa application.
10. How much does a Certificate of Sponsorship cost?
For a Worker sponsor, the current CoS fee is generally £525, subject to route-specific exceptions. The sponsor must pay the applicable fee.
11. What is the Immigration Skills Charge?
It is an additional charge that some employers must pay when sponsoring eligible workers. Current rates are £480 for the first 12 months for small or charitable sponsors and £1,320 for medium or large sponsors, with additional six-month charges thereafter.
12. Can a recruitment agency sponsor me?
It depends on the precise employment and sponsorship arrangement. Having a sponsor licence does not automatically allow a recruiter to sponsor a worker for any job supplied to another organisation.
13. What should I do if a company claims to be a sponsor but I cannot find it on the register?
Check the company’s exact legal name, including subsidiaries and trading names. If you still cannot find it, ask the employer to confirm its legal sponsoring entity and licence category before relying on the claim.
14. Can a company sponsor any job if it has a Skilled Worker licence?
No. The specific position must meet the relevant immigration requirements, including applicable occupation and salary requirements.
15. Can a sponsor lose its licence?
Yes. Sponsors have continuing compliance duties. The Home Office can take action against sponsors that do not meet their obligations, including downgrading or revocation in appropriate cases.
16. What changed for UK sponsors in September 2026?
The Home Office introduced mandatory multi-factor authentication for Sponsorship Management System users from 3 September 2026 on a phased basis, while new Level 2 Users can no longer be appointed from 9 September 2026. Existing Level 2 Users must be upgraded where eligible or deactivated by 8 March 2027.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to check if a company has sponsorship licence can make a significant difference to your UK job search.
The process itself is straightforward:
Find the official Home Office sponsor register.
Search for the employer.
Check the legal name.
Check the sponsor rating.
Check the immigration route.
Then check whether the specific job is eligible for sponsorship.
The most important point is not to stop at:
“Yes, the company is on the list.”
The better question is:
“Is this exact employer licensed for the route I need, and will it sponsor this particular job?”
Those are two different questions.
The current Home Office register, updated on 24 September 2026, provides the starting point for verifying an employer’s sponsorship status.
For employers, 2026 also brings important sponsorship-management changes, including mandatory MFA for SMS users and the phase-out of Level 2 Users.
For job seekers, the practical lesson is simple: verify before you invest time, money or personal information into a sponsorship opportunity.
A sponsor licence is important, but it is only one part of the UK work visa process.
The employer must be authorised, the role must qualify, the salary must meet the applicable requirements, the employer must be willing to sponsor that position, and the applicant must independently meet the relevant visa requirements.
That is the difference between finding a company that can sponsor and finding a job that will actually support your UK visa application.