Guide section
What the licence actually gives you
It does not automatically grant visas. It lets your organisation act as a sponsor for eligible roles and routes you are licensed for. Each worker still needs a valid CoS assignment and a successful visa application.
Licence vs visa vs CoS
| Item | Who holds it | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor licence | Employer organisation | Permission to sponsor on licensed routes |
| Certificate of Sponsorship | Assigned by employer to a worker | Lets the worker apply for a sponsored visa |
| Visa / permission | Worker | Legal right to enter/stay and work as approved |
Guide section
Key roles inside your organisation
Authorising Officer: Overall responsibility for the licence.
Key Contact: Main Home Office contact for the licence.
Level 1 / Level 2 users: Day-to-day SMS users who assign CoS and report changes.
Assign ownership early
Most compliance failures start with unclear ownership — not bad intent. Name the AO and Level 1 users before you hire internationally at volume.
Guide section
How it connects to hiring on GSH
Once you can sponsor, label roles accurately on Global Sponsor Hub and keep salary, location, and sponsorship promises aligned with what your licence and route allow.
Next step
Put this into action on Global Sponsor Hub
Start free with a company profile, connect roles you already advertise, or review Growth / Scale when you want on-platform applications and hiring tools.
Need immigration or relocation support? Browse mobility partners or list your firm.
What's next
Related guides and links
More on this site: related guides, official government pages to double-check rules and fees, and quick links to jobs and partners.
Guides that pair well with this page
- Certificates of SponsorshipEmployer Success Centre guidance for sponsorship and international hiring.Open guide
- Do I need a sponsor licence?Employer Success Centre guidance for sponsorship and international hiring.Open guide
- Sponsor Licence CentreUK sponsor licence hub: eligibility, costs, CoS, duties, and renewals.Open guide
Official sources
Always verify with official sources
Visa rules and salary thresholds change. Confirm current requirements directly on government immigration portals before making any decisions.
| Source | Why open it |
|---|---|
| UK — sponsor a worker | Official government or regulator page—verify eligibility, fees, and forms there. |
Official government or regulator page—verify eligibility, fees, and forms there.
Keep exploring
Everything in one place
Employer jobs stay on the hub. External roles open elsewhere but say so. Partners list in the directory. Guides sit next to search.
Ready to act
Explore employer toolsCommon questions
Is a sponsor licence the same as a visa?+
No. The licence is the employer’s permission to sponsor. The visa is the worker’s permission to enter/stay and work.