Knowledge Base · Sponsor Licence
How to Check a UK Sponsor Licence
To check a UK sponsor licence, search the exact employer name on the official UKVI Register of Licensed Sponsors at gov.uk. Confirm the licence is active (not suspended or revoked) and check whether it is A-rated or B-rated — B-rated sponsors may be restricted from issuing new Certificates of Sponsorship. SponsorShield's employer check searches this register automatically alongside Companies House data.
Step 1: Search the official UKVI register
The UKVI Register of Licensed Sponsors lists every organisation approved to sponsor workers under the points-based immigration system. Search using the exact legal company name. Trading names, abbreviations, or franchise branches may be listed under a different registered entity — if you cannot find a match, ask the employer for their exact registered company name and licence number.
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Start a free checkStep 2: Check the licence rating
A-rated sponsors are fully compliant with sponsorship duties. B-rated sponsors have been found non-compliant in some respect and are on an improvement action plan; depending on severity, they may be temporarily restricted from assigning new Certificates of Sponsorship. A licence can also be suspended or revoked entirely — any of these statuses should prompt further caution.
Step 3: Cross-check against Companies House
A registered sponsor licence does not confirm the company is actively trading or financially stable. Cross-referencing Companies House — checking incorporation date, filing history, and director records — adds a second layer of due diligence that SponsorShield runs automatically as part of every employer check.
Step 4: Check current salary thresholds
Even a fully licensed sponsor must offer a salary meeting the relevant threshold for your SOC code under the Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker route. A genuine offer below the published threshold (general minimum £38,700, or £23,200 for Health and Care Worker roles as of April 2024) cannot legally proceed to visa approval. See our CoS verification guide for how this interacts with document checks.
SponsorShield is an independent verification support service. We are not OISC-regulated and do not provide immigration or legal advice. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to UKVI, GOV.UK, the Home Office, or any UK government body. This guide is general information only — always consult an OISC-registered immigration adviser before making immigration decisions. Never pay anyone for a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-19. Data sources: UKVI Register of Licensed Sponsors (gov.uk), Companies House public register, published Home Office salary thresholds. This page is informational only and does not reflect real-time UKVI data — always cross-check current status on gov.uk before relying on it.
Published by SponsorShield. Reviewed for verification accuracy against current UKVI and Companies House data. Not immigration or legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I check if an employer has a UK sponsor licence?+
The official UKVI Register of Licensed Sponsors is published on gov.uk and is free to search. Search the exact registered company name — minor name variations or trading names may not match the licensed entity.
What is the difference between an "A-rated" and "B-rated" sponsor?+
A-rated sponsors are fully compliant and can issue Certificates of Sponsorship without restriction. B-rated sponsors have had compliance issues and are on an improvement plan — some B-rated sponsors are restricted from issuing new CoS until they return to A-rated status.
What is the current Skilled Worker salary threshold?+
As of April 2024, the general threshold is £38,700 per year, or the specific going rate for the SOC code, whichever is higher. The Health and Care Worker visa threshold is £23,200. Thresholds change periodically — always check the latest figures on gov.uk before relying on a number.
Can a licensed sponsor still be involved in fraud?+
Yes. A company can hold a genuine licence while its CoS documents are forged or tampered with by a third party, or while individual staff misuse the licence. Checking the register confirms the company is licensed — it does not confirm a specific document is genuine.
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