When it comes to documents for work and life in the UK, there is no correct answer that will directly tell you whether it is easy or difficult to get a visa or sponsorship certificate quickly and easily. But the UK publishes lists of scarce professions every year, so that immigrants can find and apply, and thus increase their chances of such a certificate.
Even the process itself sometimes takes a lot of time, although in general, it takes a maximum of six months to definitely receive a sponsorship certificate. After that, you can work in any company and you are competent, in the territory of the UK.
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Why do you need such a license?
With the help of the certificate of sponsorship, you can apply for various types of work visas that are supported in the UK. You get the license from your employer and it only applies to foreign workers in sectors where there is a shortage of workers in the UK.
Only a permanent resident or citizen of the UK can sign a sponsorship. It is easiest to use a company that has been in the UK market for a long time and is known for its work opportunities for foreigners. To find out more details about the terms, see https://imperiallegal.com/media/articles/sponsorship-licence-in-the-uk-how-to-obtain-and-what-is-it-for.
How to apply for a sponsor license and what to look out for?
Many times applications are rejected because they do not contain all the documents and information needed to be processed. Of course, there are also costs that need to be paid on time, for someone to review the documents.
Therefore, check which documents you need, so that you have time to collect and verify them in time. Most often you need copies of personal documents, bank statements, employment contract, proof that the person sponsoring you is a citizen or resident of the UK, as well as a certificate of English language proficiency. According to each document, you get points that will then help you get the desired certificate.
We advise that you send the application to your sponsor first, so that they can check and revise it, before leaving it at the Home Office. This will help you avoid mistakes and shorten the approval and waiting process.
When you apply, it is important that all your documents are in PDF format, and photos can be JPG or PNG. All documents together with your letter should be sent by email to the Home Office. Expect that they may contact you after a while to check the relevance of that data, so be ready to answer questions about it at any time.
Who can get such a license?
To be eligible for a sponsorship certificate for skilled workers, you have to prove these things first:
- Proof that you have a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor for the required level of expertise
- A contract that proves you will be paid up to the relevant minimum wage threshold from your sponsor.
- Proof that you can speak English at intermediate level B1 or above.
There are a number of other visa types available in the UK, such as Start-up and Innovator visas. There are also visas for additional specialist occupations, including experts of religion, athletes, and creative people.
However, when you are a worker who receives sponsorship to work in a British company, the procedure is the one we have already explained to you.
What duties does the sponsor have?
Provide a certificate of sponsorship to each foreigner you hire. You must know that this is an e-record, not a paper document. Each certificate comes with a unique number. Later the worker can use that number to apply for a visa (according to the type of visa they need).
However, before you even sign such a document, you must verify whether the market has a real need for such staff. Also, check if your employee needs any additional certifications of any kind before receiving the sponsorship certificate.
Are there different types of sponsor licenses?
There are several types of sponsor licenses and you need to know which one you are qualified for. You can determine this with the help of your employer. This license can help you obtain a skilled worker visa later in your career.
As for the licenses, you have a skilled worker license and an intra-company license, both of which need to be confirmed by the employer, so that they can be renewed on time. The relief is that there is no longer a Resident Labor Market Test for these types of visas or sponsorships.
In each of these cases, you need to provide proof that there was an active job posting to which you applied and were later accepted for that position.
What duties do the worker and the sponsor have?
When the candidate receives the license, a long process of monitoring the implementation of the defined obligations begins. The process of obtaining this document can be really long and demanding, but the UK does it to make sure that they have awarded a certificate to those who deserve it.
So, if the sponsor does not show up for work for 10 days, is fired, or terminates employment for any reason, the certificate can be revoked at any time. Also, the sponsor must provide a report on whether all the conditions and requirements that were required of the employee have been met.
Conclusion
When it comes to waiting, you will get the initial answer in about 10 days, and then you have to answer additional questions and possibly get information about where and when to pick up your certificate.
If you have a chance for this kind of professional development, we advise you to be really serious about what you are doing. Gather all the documents that are needed and always provide accurate information about yourself and your goals.
The UK is one of the strongest economies, even when facing a crisis. That is why it is worth it if you want to work abroad.