How do I sponsor a migrant?
General requirements
This page explains how migrants coming to the United Kingdom must have sponsorship under tiers 2, 4 and 5 of the points-based system to study or work.
On this page
Requirements that all sponsors must meet
You must meet the following requirements to become a licensed sponsor:
- you must be a genuine organisation or sole trader operating legally in the United Kingdom;
- there must be no evidence that you are a threat to immigration control - we look at the history and background of your organisation and key personnel;
- you must nominate a level 1 user, a key contact and an authorising officer for the sponsorship management system;
- you must be able to comply with your sponsor duties - we look at your processes such as your human resource (HR) systems to make sure you can carry out your duties;
- you must send all your supporting documents when applying; and
- you must meet the additional requirements for the tier and category you are applying under.
See the section on HR systems and compliance for more information on how we look at your processes.
Make sure you read the requirements for each tier and category for more information.
How migrants must apply for permission to enter or stay
All migrants who want to come under sponsorship must get permission to enter before they come to the United Kingdom, except non-visa nationals in the tier 5 - creative and sporting categories wanting to come for less than three months.
Migrants cannot apply for permission to enter or stay without a certificate of sponsorship. But a certificate of sponsorship does not guarantee that they will be given permission to enter or stay.
See also
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 for studies.
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Non-visa national
A non-visa national is a national or citizen of any country that is NOT listed in Appendix 1 of the immigration rules (nationals of countries listed in Appendix 1 are visa nationals). A non-visa national does not need a visa to come to the United Kingdom for less than six months, unless it is a requirement of the immigration category under which they are entering. A non-visa national coming to the United Kingdom for more than six months will need a visa.
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Settled
You are normally resident in the United Kingdom with no immigration restriction on the length of your stay. To be free of immigration restriction you must have the right of abode or indefinite leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom.