It can be a complex and difficult time when it comes to applying for a sponsor licence. Organisations often work to urgent deadlines to obtain sponsor licences, but the process can be particularly time-consuming.
That’s where the sponsor licence priority service comes in. This service can make a huge difference to organisations trying to get a sponsor licence as soon as possible, as it expedites the process.
In this guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about the sponsor licence priority service. From how to apply to what the service entails, we’ll cover the essentials so you can get started with the service.
What is a sponsor licence?
Before we get into the priority service, let’s first pin down exactly what a sponsor licence is and why an organisation might need one.
A sponsor licence is an authorisation formally granted by the UK Home Office. These authorisations are given to UK organisations so that they can legally sponsor individuals from foreign countries through the immigration system.
Sponsor licences are given to educational institutions to sponsor students, or to UK-based businesses to sponsor workers. When applying for a sponsor licence, you need to do so as either an employer or an education provider, as per UK government regulations.
What is the sponsor licence priority service?
The sponsor licence priority service – known officially as the pre-licence priority service – allows employers and educational institutions in the UK to expedite their sponsor licence application.
This expediting service was introduced in late 2020, and it was done so as one of the UK reforms to the sponsorship process. The goal was to reduce the time it would take to recruit migrant workers.
Although the priority service does not guarantee an approved application, it does guarantee consideration within ten working days.
The cost of the sponsor licence property service
The sponsor licence priority service costs £500 per request. This is in addition to the standard fee for a sponsor licence, which can vary for different organisations depending on multiple factors.
Check out our guide to sponsor licence costs for more information on the standard sponsor licence fees.
Eligibility for the sponsor licence priority service
To be eligible for this service, you need to have applied for a sponsor licence via the online application forms on the Home Office website. You also need to have paid the aforementioned priority service fee as well as the standard sponsor licence fee.
Finally, you need to have sent all the mandatory paperwork, documents and the submission sheet as laid out in Appendix A of the sponsor guidance document. These documents need to be sent within five working days of your priority service fee payment.
Keep in mind that if you are requesting the priority service for an application that is already submitted, the documents need to have been sent. As well as that, if you want to add the priority service to a submitted application, the application must not yet be in progress.
At the time of writing, the following routes are not currently eligible for the sponsor licence priority service:
- GBM Secondment Workers
- GBM Service Suppliers
- GMB UK Expansion Workers
- Government Authorised Exchanges
- International Agreements
- Scale-up Workers
- Seasonal Workers
How to apply for the sponsor licence priority service
To begin the process of applying for a sponsor licence, head to the Home Office website and fill out the application form.
Before you do so, it’s advisable to read the government’s extensive guide or seek advice from experienced solicitors. The guide has all the information you need and covers a range of circumstances, making for crucial reading before you begin your application.
The priority service can be requested as you are submitting your application, or it can be done afterwards. Sponsor licence priority service applications can be submitted at any time between 9am and 11.59pm from Monday to Friday (not counting public holidays).
Make the sponsor licence priority service easier
If you are struggling to make sense of the sponsor licence priority service, contact the immigration team at Osbourne Pinner. Our lawyers specialise in everything you need to know about nationality law and immigration advice.
From visa applications to general immigration advice, our team can walk you through a range of issues – such as sponsor licences – with as little hassle as possible. For a free consultation to discuss sponsor licences or the priority service, call 0203 983 5080, email [email protected] or complete the form below.
