How do I sponsor a migrant?
A single body or a number of branches
This page explains the ways that you can apply for a sponsor licence under the points-based system if your organisation is made up of a number of branches.
On this page
If your organisation has a number of different offices, branches, locations or campuses (which we call branches), you can register in a number of ways. You can:
- apply for a single licence which includes your head office and any or all of your branches in the United Kingdom;
- apply for a separate licence for each branch; and/or
- group a number of branches in a single licence.
Single licence covering your head office and any or all branches
If you want to include any branches in your licence application, we may ask for evidence that they are all linked to you by common ownership or control, unless this is obvious from the supporting evidence you have sent.
For example, a chain store can apply to register all its London branches in a single licence.
The only exception to this is where a Tier 4 sponsor is including a 'partner' institution that delivers pre-sessional courses as a branch on its sponsor application. The partner institution and the sponsor do not have to be linked by common ownership or control, as long as the partner institution delivers pre-sessional courses to migrants who will then take their main course of study with the sponsor. In all cases, we will ask for evidence that the partner institution has valid accreditation.
For example, a university can include a partner institution which is a private English language school in its licence application, where that partner delivers pre-sessional courses for the university's students.
You should be aware that, if we withdraw or downgrade your licence, this will apply to all branches covered by the licence. If the licence is withdrawn, all your sponsored migrants will be affected.
Similarly, if a Tier 4 sponsor has named a 'partner' institution on its licence and we remove the partner institution's own licence, we will consider all the circumstances and may consider taking action against any sponsor who has named them as a partner.
Licence covering a group of branches
If you want to register a number of branches using the same application, you must send a covering letter listing the name and address of each branch with your supporting documents. We may ask you for evidence that all the branches named in your application are linked by common ownership or control.
For example, a United Kingdom-wide language school can apply to register all its London branches in a single licence.
You should be aware that, if we withdraw or downgrade your licence, this will apply to all branches covered by the licence. If the licence is withdrawn, all your sponsored migrants will be affected.
Separate licence for each branch
If your branches are licensed separately and we later downgrade or withdraw the licence of one of them, we will not automatically do the same to the other branches' licences. However, we may wish to visit those other branches.
Terms explained
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B rating
This term is applied to a sponsor under the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. It is the rating awarded by us when a sponsor joins the register of sponsors. A B rating is a transitional rating for a sponsor who is under a sponsorship action plan.
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Branches
Branches are different offices, locations, or campuses of an organisation that has two or more of these.