How to Check Your Sponsor Licence Number

A sponsor licence number is an identifier assigned to UK employers by the Home Office once they successfully apply for a sponsor licence. This number allows businesses to hire skilled foreign workers and issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) under the Skilled Worker Visa and other visa categories.

Employers who hold a sponsor licence must use their sponsor licence number for all communications with the Home Office and when issuing sponsorship certificates to employees. It’s an essential part of the UK immigration process and demonstrates that your business complies with the relevant immigration laws.

The Importance of a Sponsor Licence

A sponsor licence is critical for any UK business that plans to hire workers from outside the UK. Without this licence, employers are prohibited from issuing Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS), which are necessary for prospective employees to apply for a work visa, such as the Skilled Worker Visa or the Health and Care Worker Visa.

Holding a sponsor licence also places a responsibility on businesses to maintain compliance with UK immigration regulations, including monitoring their sponsored employees, updating the Sponsor Management System (SMS) with changes, and reporting any violations.

For more details on managing your licence, check out our comprehensive guide to the sponsor management system (SMS).

How to Get a Sponsor Licence Number

To obtain a sponsor licence number, you need to apply for a sponsor licence through the UK Home Office. Here’s a brief overview of the process:

1. Eligibility Check: First, ensure your business is eligible to apply for a sponsor licence. This includes having the appropriate systems in place to monitor sponsored employees and demonstrate compliance with UK law.
2. Application Form: Complete the online application form and submit it along with the required supporting documents. The Home Office will assess whether your business is capable of meeting its duties as a sponsor.
3. Sponsor Licence Fees: Depending on the size of your company, the sponsor licence application fee varies. You can check the latest sponsor licence fees and sponsor licence cost for more details.
4. Home Office Visit: In some cases, the Home Office may visit your business to verify that your organisation is capable of fulfilling its sponsor duties.
5. Processing Time: After submission, the processing time for a sponsor licence application can take several weeks. However, you can opt for the Sponsor Licence Priority Service to speed up the process.

Securing your sponsor licence doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Borderless can help you apply instantly via our platform – starting from £795. For more detailed information on the application process, read our guide on sponsor licence application.

How to Check Your Sponsor Licence Number

Once you’ve obtained a sponsor licence, you might need to check your sponsor licence number for a variety of reasons. This could be to confirm your status as a licensed sponsor or for record-keeping purposes. Here’s how you can check your sponsor licence number:

1. Sponsor Management System (SMS): Log in to the SMS, the platform used by sponsors to manage their sponsorship activities, to view your sponsor licence number.
2. Home Office Communications: Your sponsor licence number will be included in the confirmation letters and other communications from the Home Office.
3. Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): When issuing a CoS, your sponsor licence number will be attached to the certificate. Learn more about the process in our article on the certificate of sponsorship.

Is a Sponsor Licence Number the Same as a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Number?

No, a sponsor licence number is different from a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) number. The sponsor licence number is assigned to the employer by the Home Office upon approval of the sponsor licence application, while the CoS number is unique to each sponsored worker. The CoS is a digital record that the employer creates for a worker to apply for a visa.

Each CoS is linked to the sponsor licence number, but they are not interchangeable. For more information on the CoS, visit our guide to the certificate of sponsorship (CoS).

How to Check If Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is Valid

It is essential for both employers and employees to ensure that their Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is valid before proceeding with a visa application. Here’s how you can check:

1. Sponsor Management System (SMS): Employers can check the status of a CoS through the SMS platform. You’ll be able to see whether a CoS has been issued, its validity period, and whether it has been used by the employee for a visa application.
2. Employee Confirmation: Employees can confirm with their employers if the CoS has been properly issued and whether it is still valid.

If your CoS is found to be invalid, it could lead to delays or a refusal of the employee’s visa application. Ensure you’re always compliant with CoS requirements to avoid such issues.

Need Help with Your Sponsor Licence Application?

Managing a sponsor licence and staying compliant with UK immigration rules can be complex. If you need assistance with your application, compliance, or dealing with a sponsor licence revocation, our expert team is here to help.

Borderless has empowered over 250 employers and supported more than 2,500 individuals by making sponsorship effortless. Combining cutting-edge technology with human expertise, Borderless assists with sponsor licence applications, recruitment, visa processing, and compliance. With thousands of pre-vetted professionals and automated solutions, Borderless is the trusted partner for navigating the complexities of immigration. Contact us today for a consultation.