Employing most foreign workers in the United Kingdom requires the employer to hold a sponsor licence because the UK is outside the EU free movement area. Right-to-work checks and record-keeping are strict, and illegal working carries heavy civil penalties.

In short: to employ a non-UK worker you usually need a sponsor licence, you issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, you carry out a compliant right-to-work check, and you meet salary and skill rules. EU citizens without settled status are treated like other nationals.

Step 1: Get a Sponsor Licence

Unless the worker already has a status that allows the job, you apply to the Home Office for a sponsor licence. Once licensed, you can assign a Certificate of Sponsorship to a worker for an eligible role at the required skill level and salary.

Step 2: Right-to-Work Checks

Before employment starts, carry out and record a right-to-work check (via an online share code or document check). A compliance check provides a statutory excuse from penalties. Keep evidence for the duration of employment and for two years after it ends.

Step 3: The Visa, Pay, and Conditions

The worker applies for the Skilled Worker visa using the Certificate of Sponsorship, meets the salary threshold and the going rate, and proves English. You operate PAYE for income tax and National Insurance and meet your sponsor duties, including reporting changes to the Home Office.

Penalties for Illegal Working

Employing someone without the right to work can bring a civil penalty of up to 60,000 pounds per worker, and in serious cases criminal liability and loss of your sponsor licence. A compliant right-to-work check is your protection.

Avoiding Scams and Staying Compliant

Never pay or accept upfront fees for a guaranteed permit, and avoid providers who promise to bypass the rules. Verify every document yourself, use the Home Office (UK Visas and Immigration), and consider a compliance check before you hire. Legitimate processes do not require secret payments.

Official Sources

Confirm current rules, fees, and penalties with the Home Office (UK Visas and Immigration) and the United Kingdom labour and tax authorities, as procedures change.