How to check if a company has a sponsor licence in the UK?

When you need to hire international workers in the UK, ensuring that a company holds a valid sponsor licence is essential. Knowing how to check if a company has a sponsor licence in the UK protects you from potential visa issues and employment complications. This article explains the process clearly and helps you verify a company’s sponsorship status with confidence.

Why Checking a Sponsor Licence Matters

A sponsor licence is an official approval from the UK Home Office that allows organisations to recruit skilled workers from outside the UK. Without this licence, a company cannot legally sponsor non-UK nationals for work visas such as the Skilled Worker visa. For employees, contractors, or job seekers from overseas, verifying the licence status of a prospective employer is a crucial step to ensure your visa application will be valid and your employment secure.

The Official Register of Licensed Sponsors: Your Go-To Resource

The UK government maintains a public document called the Register of Licensed Sponsors. This register lists all organisations currently authorised to sponsor migrant workers. It includes details such as the company name, address, licence type, and sponsorship rating.

You can download this register from the UK government website. It is regularly updated to reflect new licences granted or revoked. Using this official list is the most reliable way to check a company’s sponsor licence status.

How to Check a Company’s Sponsor Licence: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Download the Register of Licensed Sponsors
Visit the UK government’s website and download the latest version of the register. It usually comes as a spreadsheet (CSV or Excel format), making it easy to search.

Step 2: Search for the Company Name
Open the downloaded file and use the search function (CTRL + F on most computers) to enter the exact name of the company you want to check. Be careful with spelling to ensure accurate results.

Step 3: Verify the Licence Type
Check that the company holds the correct type of licence for the role you are interested in. For example, if you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa, the employer must have a licence that covers this category.

Step 4: Review the Sponsorship Rating
The register also shows a company’s sponsorship rating. An A-rating means the company can issue Certificates of Sponsorship and actively sponsor workers. A B-rating indicates compliance issues; such companies cannot sponsor new workers until they resolve these problems.

Alternative Online Tools and Licence Checkers

Besides the official register, some websites offer sponsor licence checkers that simplify the process. These tools allow you to enter a company’s name and quickly confirm its licence status without downloading files. However, always cross-reference with the official government register to ensure accuracy.

What to Do If a Company Is Not on the Register

If your prospective employer does not appear on the register, it means they do not currently hold a valid sponsor licence. Employing international workers without this licence is illegal and could jeopardise your visa application. It’s wise to ask the employer directly about their sponsorship status or seek legal advice before proceeding.

Understanding Sponsor Licence Compliance and Responsibilities

Holding a sponsor licence comes with strict duties. Employers must keep accurate records, report changes in employee status, and ensure compliance with immigration rules. The Home Office monitors licence holders and can conduct compliance visits. If a company fails to meet these obligations, it risks licence suspension or revocation.

Why This Matters for Employees and Job Seekers

For international workers, verifying an employer’s sponsor licence is a safeguard against visa refusals or job loss. It ensures your job offer is genuine and that the employer is authorised to support your visa application. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions and avoid scams or illegal employment.

Stay Informed and Protect Your Work Rights

Checking if a company has a sponsor licence in the UK is straightforward but vital. Use the official Register of Licensed Sponsors, verify licence types and ratings, and stay cautious if a company cannot provide clear evidence of their licence. By doing so, you protect your immigration status and career prospects.

If you need assistance verifying a sponsor licence or require legal advice on immigration and employment matters, professional guidance is available to help you navigate this complex area with confidence.

When working with international recruitment or applying for a UK work visa, knowing where to find a sponsor licence number in the UK is essential. This unique number is a crucial identifier issued by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to organisations authorised to sponsor foreign workers. Whether you are an employer, employee, or recruitment professional, understanding where and how to locate this number helps ensure compliance with immigration rules and smooth processing of visa applications.

What Exactly Is a Sponsor Licence Number?

A sponsor licence number (SLN) is a unique reference assigned to a company or organisation once it successfully obtains a sponsor licence from the UK Home Office. This licence allows the organisation to sponsor skilled workers from overseas under visa categories such as the Skilled Worker visa. The number acts like a legal “passport” for the company’s sponsorship activities and must be quoted in all official communications with UKVI.

Why You Might Need the Sponsor Licence Number

• Employers use it to manage sponsorship duties and communicate with UKVI.
• Employees and visa applicants need it to verify their sponsor’s legitimacy and ensure their visa application is valid.
• Recruiters and legal advisors rely on it to confirm compliance and track sponsorship statuses.

Where to Find the Sponsor Licence Number: The Key Sources

The sponsor licence number can be found in several official places. Knowing where to look makes the process quick and reliable.

1. On the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Every time a licensed employer issues a Certificate of Sponsorship to a migrant worker, the sponsor licence number appears on the document. Workers can view this number on their CoS paperwork, which is essential for their visa application.

2. The Sponsor Management System (SMS)

Employers who hold a sponsor licence access the Sponsor Management System — a secure online portal where they manage sponsorship activities. The licence number is prominently displayed in the SMS dashboard. Only authorised personnel, such as the Authorising Officer (AO) or Key Contact (KC), can log in and view it.

3. Official Home Office Documents

When a company receives its sponsor licence, the Home Office sends a grant letter confirming approval. This letter contains the sponsor licence number along with important details about licence conditions and nominated key personnel. Other official correspondence from the Home Office related to sponsorship will also include this number.

4. The Public Register of Licensed Sponsors

The UK government publishes a public Register of Licensed Sponsors that lists all organisations currently authorised to sponsor workers. While the register includes company names, addresses, licence types, and sponsorship ratings, it does not display the sponsor licence number itself. However, this register helps verify whether a company holds a valid licence.

How to Access the Sponsor Licence Number via the SMS

For employers or authorised users, accessing the SMS is the most direct way to find the sponsor licence number:

• Log into the Home Office Sponsor Management System portal.

• Navigate to the Licence Summary or Dashboard page.

• The sponsor licence number will be clearly displayed alongside your organisation’s details.

If you do not have access, contact your company’s Authorising Officer or Key Contact, who are responsible for managing the licence.

Understanding the Roles Linked to the Licence Number

The Authorising Officer (AO) is usually the most senior person responsible for sponsorship compliance within the organisation. The Key Contact (KC) acts as the main liaison with UKVI. Both must know and use the sponsor licence number when corresponding with the Home Office. They can also assign access to other users within the SMS to help manage sponsorship duties.

What If You Can’t Find the Sponsor Licence Number?

For prospective employees or recruiters unable to find a sponsor licence number, begin by checking the company’s status on the public Register of Licensed Sponsors. A company not appearing on this list does not hold a valid sponsor licence and cannot legally sponsor migrant workers.

When the company is listed but the licence number remains elusive, contact the employer directly to request their sponsor licence details. Alternatively, seek legal advice to prevent potential visa application complications.

The sponsor licence number is a vital piece of information that confirms an organisation’s legal authority to sponsor migrant workers. It ensures transparency and accountability in the sponsorship process. For visa applications, UKVI uses this number to verify the sponsor’s legitimacy and track sponsorship compliance.

Whether you are an employer managing your organisation’s sponsorship duties or an international worker verifying your sponsor’s credentials, knowing where to find a sponsor licence number in the UK is crucial. It appears on Certificates of Sponsorship, official Home Office letters, and within the Sponsor Management System. Always ensure you use the correct number in communications with UKVI to avoid delays or complications.