Why Apply for a Sponsor Licence?
Applying for a sponsor licence is a mandatory step you need to complete if you are planning to hire migrant workers who require sponsorship to be able to work in the UK.
Since 2021, the requirements to become a licensed sponsor have been significantly simplified.
One of the most important changes is that, as an employer, you no longer need to conduct a resident labour market test. Hence, you don’t have to prove to the Home Office that there are no suitable candidates among settled workers inside the UK and can formally submit the sponsor licence application to the Home Office without having a candidate in mind.
How Having a Specific Candidate Ease the Application Process?
While you can apply for a sponsor licence without a candidate in mind, having one can certainly simplify the process. This is because having a candidate in mind shows that you have a genuine vacancy.
According to the Home Office, the role must not be fake, a sham or created so that an applicant can apply for a visa. You must ensure that any role you offer to migrant workers under the sponsorship licence meets the relevant skills and salary requirements.
Here, having a potential employee in mind clearly shows why the sponsor licence should be granted to your company – you can only hire this most suitable employee once you are enlisted in the register of sponsors.
What to Do If You Have a Candidate in Mind?
If you have already identified the candidate, you should provide the information about them with your sponsor licence application. If you identified the candidate as a result of a recruitment process, you should clarify where you advertised the position and provide the details of the recruitment agency if they assisted you with the candidate. You should also confirm whether the person is already working for you if they are in the UK—as a student or on any other visa type, for instance. You should also be able to confirm how you identified that the person was the most suitable for the job if you have not advertised that job and the person you wish to employ is not currently working for you. For example, you should mention if:
- You used to work/study/volunteer together previously
- The candidate was referred by your coworker
- You found their profile on social media
- The person is working for your competitor.
When you have a candidate in mind, outlining their duties and qualification requirements, offering a role with the relevant salary, and clearly defining the place of the potential employee in the company’s hierarchy will help the caseworker understand that you know your sponsorship responsibilities and will be fully compliant.
Summary:
- Having a candidate in mind is not a requirement to apply for a sponsor licence
- Nevertheless, you need to ensure that the job role you are offering is genuine and meets the salary requirements.
- By providing a list of duties and salary details, you demonstrate that you understand your responsibilities as a sponsor.
- Having a specific candidate in mind shows that you really need a licence to sponsor a migrant worker.
- Having a candidate makes the application more straightforward both for you and the caseworker.
How Can Nation.better Support You?
At Nation.better, our team of immigration experts can help you navigate the sponsorship process and meet the requirements of hiring from the global talent pool.
With our end-to-end sponsorship management solution, what was once a complicated and tedious process, is now streamlined and stress-free.
Don’t hesitate to contact our legal experts to learn more about how we can help you take the next step in your journey.