From 1st January 2021, anyone looking to hire from outside the UK will need to register as a licensed sponsored. We will see the end of Free Movement and the introduction of the new points-based immigration system which will introduce new Job, Salary, and language requirements for anyone hiring from the EU.
From January all EU and non-EU citizens will be treated equally when employers recruit from outside of the UK. The employer will need a sponsor licence to hire most eligible employees from outside the UK.
Some immigration routes, such as Global Talent, are unsponsored’, so you don’t need a license to hire unsponsored visa employees.
Becoming a Sponsor
Before applying to become a sponsor, its worth checking that people you want to hire will meet the requirements for coming to the UK for work, and that your business is eligible.
There are different types of skilled worker licenses to apply for, so you need to determine which best suites. Also, you need to have appropriate systems in place to act as a sponsor, which includes good HR systems. You can apply online and there is a fee to pay.
What criteria will the hopeful employee need to meet?
Anyone whom you wish to sponsor will need to meet certain requirements, including
- A job offer from an approved sponsor
- That job offer must be at the required skill and salary level
- They must speak English at the required level
Once you have applied to be the sponsor, you will usually have a decision within 8 weeks. Being a sponsor allows you to recruit skilled workers globally for 4 years.
Who can you hire as a sponsor?
As a licensed sponsor, you can effectively hire eligible employees from anywhere in the world. The job you are advertising must meet the minimum salary and skill threshold which are:
- the minimum skill level will be set at RQF3 (equivalent to A level)
- the minimum salary threshold will be the higher of £25,600 or the ‘going rate’ for that job – some employees may be paid less than £25,600, for example if their job is in a shortage occupation
- any applicants from outside the UK must also meet English language requirements
If the above requirements are met and you are a licensed sponsor, you will be able to sponsor their application to come to the UK to work.
What about EU citizens you already employ?
The new system will not apply to EU employees already working in the UK.
The new system will not apply to EU employees already working for you in the UK. EU citizens and their family members living in the UK by 31 December 2020 can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
As leading immigration consultants with over 12 years immigration and compliance experience. We are best placed to advise you on applying for a sponsor license. We offer HR compliance to ensure you maintain your licence and continue to sponsor employees from outside the UK.
Please contact us on info@mbimmigrationsolutions.com or book an appointment https://mbimmigrationsolutions.com/uk-visas-offer

Peju is one of the UK’s leading Immigration Consultants. She is a highly experienced and sought after Immigration and Compliance Consultant with over 12-years’ experience dealing with UK Visas & Immigration.
She is registered by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner at the highest level and has supported businesses to ensure that the migration of staff is compliant with relevant country migration laws, especially the United Kingdom.