The Global Business Mobility (GBM) Sponsor Licence is essential for UK businesses aiming to hire workers under the GBM visa routes. As specialists in sponsor licence applications, we offer end-to-end guidance to help your organisation navigate the complexities of the application process and maintain compliance with UK immigration law.

Since the GBM visas were introduced by the UK Home Office, they have become a popular option for international businesses seeking to establish a UK presence or transfer key staff to the UK. This detailed guide provides everything you need to know about obtaining a GBM Sponsor Licence, including eligibility requirements, application procedures, costs, and compliance obligations.

The GBM Sponsor Licence is a formal approval granted by the UK Home Office to businesses intending to sponsor workers under one or more of the GBM visa routes. It enables UK businesses to issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to overseas employees, allowing these workers to apply for visas and legally work in the UK.

The five GBM visa routes are tailored to different business scenarios:

1. Senior or Specialist Worker Visa: For senior managers or specialist employees transferring from an overseas company to a linked UK business.
2. Graduate Trainee Visa: For employees enrolled in graduate training programmes requiring work placements in a UK-linked business.
3. UK Expansion Worker Visa: For specialists or senior managers assigned to establish a UK branch or subsidiary.
4. Service Supplier Visa: For workers providing services under UK trade agreements, either as employees or independent contractors.
5. Secondment Worker Visa: For overseas employees seconded to the UK as part of high-value contracts or investments.

Each route has unique eligibility criteria, but all require sponsorship by a licenced UK business.

A GBM Sponsor Licence is route-specific, meaning an organisation must apply for a licence covering the intended visa category. For example, if a business wants to sponsor both Senior or Specialist Workers and Graduate Trainees, it must ensure its licence authorises both routes.

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): The licence allows sponsors to issue CoS to eligible workers, which is mandatory for their visa applications.

Sponsor Rating: Approved businesses are typically granted an A-rating, signifying compliance with sponsorship duties. Businesses applying under the UK Expansion Worker route may initially receive a provisional rating, which requires regular monitoring and upgrades.

To be approved as a GBM sponsor, your organisation must meet both general and route-specific criteria.

General Requirements

Genuine Business Activity: The sponsoring organisation must be a lawful, operational UK business. For the UK Expansion Worker route, the business must demonstrate credible plans to establish a presence in the UK.

Honesty and Dependability: The organisation, including its key personnel, must be trustworthy and compliant with immigration laws. Past violations or behaviour not conducive to the public good may lead to application refusal.

Capability to Manage Sponsorship Duties: The Home Office assesses the organisation’s HR and recruitment processes to ensure compliance with sponsorship duties. Pre-approval site visits may be conducted.

Route-Specific Requirements

1. Senior or Specialist Worker and Graduate Trainee:

• The UK and overseas businesses must be linked by ownership, control, or joint ventures.
• Positions must meet skill level requirements (RQF Level 6 or equivalent).
• Workers must be paid according to salary thresholds, including going rates.

1. UK Expansion Worker:

• The sponsoring organisation must demonstrate a UK footprint (e.g., a registered office) and credible plans to establish a branch or subsidiary within two years.
• The overseas business must have been active for at least three years.

1. Service Supplier:

• The sponsor must have a valid contract with an overseas service provider under an applicable UK trade agreement.

1. Secondment Worker:

• Contracts for goods or investments must meet financial thresholds (£10 million annually or £50 million in total).

Failure to meet eligibility criteria can result in application refusal and a 6-month prohibition on reapplying.

The application process for a GBM Sponsor Licence requires meticulous preparation and adherence to Home Office guidelines.

Steps to Apply

1. Complete the Online Application Form:

• Submit the application via the Home Office portal, specifying the GBM routes your business intends to sponsor.

1. Prepare and Submit Supporting Documents:

• Documents must be provided within five working days. These include proof of legal operation, overseas links, and evidence of meeting route-specific criteria.

1. Assign Key Personnel:

• Appoint individuals to the following roles:

1. • • Authorising Officer: Responsible for the licence.
     • Level 1 User: Manages the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
     • Key Contact: Liaises with the Home Office.




2. Request Certificates of Sponsorship:

• Estimate the number of workers to sponsor in the first year and include this in your application.

Supporting Documents

The application must include:

• Proof of UK registration or overseas trading activity.
• Details of the overseas business and its link to the UK sponsor.
• Evidence of meeting skill, salary, and financial requirements.

Compliance Visits

The Home Office may conduct pre-approval site visits to assess the organisation’s HR practices and capacity to meet sponsorship obligations.

Sponsorship involves several costs, including licence application fees, Immigration Skills Charges, and CoS fees.

1. Sponsor Licence Application Fee:

• £536 for small/charitable organisations.
• £1,476 for medium/large organisations (Senior or Specialist Worker route).
• £536 standard fee for other GBM routes.

1. Immigration Skills Charge (Senior or Specialist Worker):

• £364 (small sponsors) or £1,000 (large sponsors) for the first year.
• Additional charges apply for extensions.

1. Certificate of Sponsorship Fee:

• £239 for Senior or Specialist Worker CoS.
• £25 for other GBM routes.

Once approved, the sponsor’s details appear on the Register of Sponsors, and the organisation gains access to the SMS. This system enables sponsors to issue CoS and monitor compliance.

Duration of Licence

The licence is valid for four years, with the option to renew (except for UK Expansion Worker routes).

Compliance Obligations

Sponsors must:

• Monitor sponsored workers’ activities.
• Report changes to the Home Office (e.g., role changes, contract terminations).
• Retain relevant documentation.

Non-compliance can lead to licence revocation and penalties.

• Insufficient Documentation: Missing or incomplete documents can lead to application refusal.
• Non-Compliance with Sponsorship Duties: Failure to fulfil reporting or monitoring obligations risks licence suspension or revocation.
• Complexity of UK Expansion Worker Applications: These require credible expansion plans and careful appointment of key personnel.

Given the complexity of GBM Sponsor Licence applications, professional advice can significantly improve your chances of success. The Immigration Lawyers specialise in helping organisations secure sponsor licences, offering tailored support for each stage of the process.

Contact us for expert advice.