Once a business has secured a UK sponsor licence, it must keep the Home Office updated about important changes. These updates can include changing company details, adding new key personnel or requesting extra Certificates of Sponsorship.
However, standard processing times for these updates can be slow and employers often face delays that affect recruitment and compliance. The Post Licence Priority Service is designed to help with this.
It allows eligible sponsors to fast track certain change requests, ensuring they receive a decision more quickly than through the normal process. For businesses that rely on overseas talent, this can be an essential tool for avoiding disruption and keeping recruitment plans on track.
This guide explains what the service offers, who can use it, how to apply and what to expect.
What is the Post Licence Priority Service?
The Post Licence Priority Service is an optional paid service that gives existing sponsor licence holders the opportunity to have specific change of circumstances requests processed more quickly. Under normal Home Office timescales, changes to a sponsor licence can take many weeks. With the priority service, eligible requests are usually processed within around five working days.
The service does not guarantee approval. It simply speeds up the Home Office’s consideration of the request. The details you submit still need to meet the sponsor licence rules and the Home Office can still refuse the change if the evidence is not sufficient.
The priority service is usually used when:
- A business needs extra Certificates of Sponsorship urgently
- A new Authorising Officer or Key Contact needs to be added
- There has been a change of address or other key business information
- The organisation needs to appoint a new Level 1 user
These kinds of changes often need to be made quickly, especially when a business is about to hire an overseas worker or is preparing for a Home Office compliance visit.
Who can use the service?
To use the Post Licence Priority Service, a business must already hold a valid sponsor licence and must normally have an A rating. The service is open to most Worker and Temporary Worker licence holders.
Only certain types of changes qualify. These include:
- Requesting additional undefined Certificates of Sponsorship
- Updating the details of the Authorising Officer or Key Contact
- Adding or changing a Level 1 user
- Notifying the Home Office of a change in business premises
- Adding a legal representative to the licence
Some requests are not eligible. These include licence renewals, complex corporate restructuring, significant changes to company ownership or anything that requires a detailed compliance review. In these cases, the Home Office will process the changes under standard timescales.
It is also important to note that places on the priority service are limited each day. Requests are handled on a first come first served basis so employers need to act early to secure a slot.
What types of changes can be prioritised?
Although not every request qualifies, the priority service covers many of the changes that businesses commonly need to make. These include:
- Asking for more Certificates of Sponsorship when the business needs to hire additional overseas workers
- Updating company information, such as a change of trading address or contact details
- Replacing a departing Authorising Officer or adding a new Key Contact
- Appointing a new Level 1 user to manage the sponsor licence
- Adding a representative to help manage the licence
These changes can be important for sponsor licence compliance. For example, if the Authorising Officer leaves the business and the licence is not updated, the Home Office may raise concerns during an audit. Using the priority service can help ensure your licence remains accurate and compliant.
How to apply for the Post Licence Priority Service
Applying for the priority service involves two stages. First, you must submit the change of circumstances request through the Sponsor Management System in the usual way. Once this is done, you can request priority handling.
The priority request is made by completing a specific form provided by the Home Office. The form must then be emailed to the dedicated priority service mailbox along with any required supporting documents. The Home Office reviews the request and decides whether it can be accepted.
If your request is successful, you will receive an email with instructions on how to pay the priority fee. The fee must usually be paid within a short timeframe. If payment is not made in time, the request will lapse and you may need to reapply.
Once the fee is paid, the Home Office aims to process the change within around five working days. In some cases, it may take longer if further information is required. It is important to check your email regularly in case the Home Office requests additional evidence.
The current fee for the priority service is £350. This is paid on top of any standard fees associated with your sponsor licence.
Benefits and things to consider
The main advantage of the priority service is speed. Instead of waiting weeks for an update, employers can receive a decision in a matter of days. This can be crucial when a business needs to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship quickly or when key personnel changes have created compliance risks.
The service also helps avoid delays in recruitment. Without updated licence details, employers may not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship or proceed with hiring an overseas worker. Fast approval helps keep recruitment timelines on track.
However, there are some practical points to consider. Priority slots are released daily and fill up quickly. This means businesses need to act early each morning to secure a place. The fee is non refundable, even if the request is rejected or if the underlying change cannot be approved. It is therefore important to check that your request is eligible before applying.
The priority service does not remove your compliance duties. Incorrect information or repeated errors can still affect your licence rating. It is important to ensure that all details and documents are correct before submitting the request.
When is legal advice necessary?
The Post Licence Priority Service is a useful tool for sponsors, but it can also be confusing if you are unsure whether your change qualifies. You should consider seeking legal advice if:
- Your sponsor licence has compliance issues
- You are unsure which changes are eligible for priority handling
- You urgently need to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship
- You are dealing with complex business changes or new ownership
- You need help preparing or reviewing the application
An immigration solicitor can check your eligibility, prepare the required documents and ensure the request meets Home Office expectations. This reduces the risk of delays or refusals.
Any questions? Speak to our immigration team
Please note that this article is solely for informational purposes. It’s not a substitute for legal advice. We encourage readers to contact Osbourne Pinner for case-specific guidance.
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