Hiring from overseas can solve real workforce gaps, but getting started can feel daunting. It comes down to three steps: get a sponsor licence, assign a Certificate of Sponsorship, and support your worker through their visa application. The process is much the same for almost every employer and route. Here is what each step costs, how long it takes, and the mistakes to avoid.
Step 1: Apply for a sponsor licence
You need a sponsor licence before you can hire most workers from overseas, or in-country candidates who need sponsorship. You apply to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
- Cost (from 8 April 2026): £611 for small or charitable sponsors, £1,682 for medium or large. See the sponsor licence fees guide.
- Processing: around eight weeks as standard, or about 10 working days with the priority service (£750 extra).
- Your licence lasts ten years, and there is no renewal application or fee, as long as you stay compliant.
You will name your key personnel (the authorising officer, key contact and Level 1 user), complete the online application, and submit supporting documents. We can handle the sponsor licence application for you.
Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship
Once approved, a Level 1 user assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) through the Sponsor Management System. Each CoS costs £525, plus the Immigration Skills Charge of £480 to £1,320 a year depending on your size. The role must be eligible: since 22 July 2025 the Skilled Worker route only covers graduate-level (RQF6) jobs. Your candidate then has three months to apply for their visa. We can also automate CoS requests and renewals.
Step 3: Support the visa application
Your worker applies online and pays the visa fee (£819 to £1,865 depending on length and route) and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 a year). Standard processing is about three weeks from outside the UK. Health and Care Worker visa applicants pay lower fees and no surcharge. We can run the visa application end to end.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assigning a CoS below the going rate or the general minimum (£41,700 from 22 July 2025), which causes refusals.
- Naming key personnel who were tied to a previously revoked licence.
- Missing reporting deadlines once you hold a licence.
How Borderless helps
Borderless streamlines every step of international hiring, for overseas and in-country candidates. We guide you through the licence application, handle Certificates of Sponsorship and keep you compliant with Home Office rules, on a clear monthly plan. Book a demo to get started.
Automate Home Office Audits with Borderless
The Borderless platform provides a centralized system for all sponsorships, automating reminders for key tasks and ensuring best practices across your organization, simplifying audit preparation and ongoing compliance.
