Costs
This section explains what fee you must pay to join the register of sponsors, either when you apply or when you extend an existing licence.
There are two different fees for Tier 2 (General) - skilled worker:
- £300 if you are a small sponsor
- £1,000 for all other sponsors
You can only apply to go on the register of sponsors currently if you need a licence for Tier 2 (General) - skilled worker and/or Tier 2 - intra-company transfers.
We are not taking registration applications for Tier 2 - sports or religious workers and tiers 4 or 5 at the moment. You will be able to apply for these from mid-2008. Tier 3 is currently suspended.
You will have to register again if you want to sponsor migrants in the other two Tier 2 categories, and Tier 4 and Tier 5. More details on costs will be available when we start accepting applications for those tiers and categories. You will not have to pay the full application fee again if you register for more tiers at a later date. When you apply for more than one tier, you will only need to pay the cost of the most expensive tier. If you have already registered for a tier and then apply for a licence for another tier, you will only have to pay the difference between the cost of the new tier and any fee you have already paid. If the costs are the same, you will not have to pay any extra fee.
Each Tier 2 (General) - skilled worker certificate of sponsorship costs £170. We are not accepting fees for certificates of sponsorship until we start accepting applications for each tier.
We are not taking registration applications for Tier 2 - sports or religious workers and tiers 4 or 5 at the moment. Tier 3 is currently suspended.
You will have to register again if you want to employ workers in the other two Tier 2 categories, and Tier 4 and Tier 5. More details on costs will be available when we start accepting applications for those tiers and categories.
We will notify customers in advance of each tier registration opening.
News & updates
Terms explained
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Certificate of sponsorship
This is a virtual document (a unique reference number) that an organisation gives to migrants they want to employ, and that the migrant uses when applying.under the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. Also known as confirmation of acceptance of studies.
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Small sponsor
An organisation that qualifies as a small or medium business in accordance with the Companies Act 1985 or small business in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, or if you are a charity.
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Tier 2 (General) - skilled worker
A category of the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. It applies to skilled people with a job offer who are looking for employment in the United Kingdom, or are self-employed or setting up a business.
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Tier 2 - intra-company transfers
A category of the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. It applies to sponsors who are transferring employees within an organisation to a skilled job under Tier 2.