Sponsor licence check
How to check if a UK employer has a sponsor licence
A company saying that it can sponsor workers is not enough. The starting point is the official Home Office register of licensed sponsors. GTN also checks sponsor information, but the official register remains the primary public source.
Last reviewed 21 October 2026
Key points
- Check the employer name against the official register.
- Look at the route and rating, not only the organisation name.
- A sponsor licence does not mean every vacancy will be sponsored.
- Read the individual advert for sponsorship wording and salary information.
What the official register tells you
The Home Office register lists organisations licensed to sponsor workers on Worker and Temporary Worker routes. It includes the organisation name, location, licence type and rating, and the immigration route.
The register changes regularly, so a result should be treated as current information rather than a permanent guarantee. Check the official register again when you are assessing a vacancy or preparing an application.
What a sponsor licence does not tell you
A sponsor licence belongs to the employer. It does not automatically mean that every job advertised by that employer is eligible for sponsorship.
You still need to check the occupation, skill level, salary, going rate, vacancy wording and the employer decision for that specific role.
A simple checking sequence
First, search the exact employer name. Second, confirm the Skilled Worker route where relevant. Third, compare the vacancy itself with the occupation and salary rules. Fourth, apply through the employer or the original job source.
Never pay someone for a Certificate of Sponsorship. If a recruiter or employer asks for money for sponsorship itself, treat that as a serious warning sign.
Official sources
Rules and public datasets can change. Use the official source when making a current decision.