A Guide to Appendix A Sponsor Licence Documents

If you want to apply for sponsor licence, you have to show the Home Office that your company is eligible by submitting specific documents.

If you don’t send in the right documents, your application could be turned down, which would cause a delay in getting your licence and permission to sponsor foreign workers that you could have avoided.

Ensure your application is complete and accurate—contact us today at 02033844389 for expert assistance in submitting the right documents!

In this guide, we’ll look at Appendix A sponsor licence documents in depth to help you submit the correct papers to Home Office.

What is Appendix A Sponsor Licence?

For organisations that seek to apply for a sponsorship licence, the document is called “Appendix A: supporting documents for sponsor licence applications.” It’s an addendum to the full policy guidance on sponsoring someone under the “Worker” or “Temporary Worker” routes. It lists the papers that you must provide to demonstrate eligibility and help get your licence application approved.

The different kinds of documents you need to send depend on the type of licence you want. They also depend on the type of company you work for. In addition, the document format, any online resources, and the deadline for submission are all mentioned there.

Appendix A and Sponsor Licence Applications

There are strict document requirements that must be met when filing for a sponsor licence through UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). It is a part of the Home Office and is in charge of UK immigration. In all cases, an application must include a submission sheet signed and dated by the employer’s Authorising Officer. It must also include a minimum number of required papers. Along with your online application, these papers must also be sent within 5 business days of the date you submitted your application online. This is necessary for your application to be considered.

There will be 5 business days for you to send those papers. If you don’t, we will deny your application and not refund your fee.

Additionally, UKVI can request additional documents at any point during the licence application process. These documents may not even be in Appendix A. If you don’t send the requested information, proof, or documents within 5 business days, we will turn down your sponsor licence application again. Also, you will not get your fee back.

Supporting Documents in Appendix A Sponsor License

Appendix A contains four tables listing the documents and information needed for your sponsor licence application. Typically, you need to provide at least 4 documents or sets of documents, along with any essential documents.

If you are a company in Table 1, you don’t have to follow the 4-document rule. If you are applying through the “Skilled Worker” or “T2 Minister of Religion” route, you need to send more than just the four minimum documents. Provide details about your organization, the reason for your application, and the types of jobs you’re looking to fill. You should also include details about any migrant workers who have already been found to fill those roles.

Four Tables

Here are the four tables that make up Appendix A:

• Table 1: Names of certain organisations and bodies
• Table 2: shows businesses that are new, chains, charities, and groups that are regulated or inspected
• Table 3: documents specific to routes
• Table 4: shows some other documents you can send.

Carefully reading through each table, starting with Table 1, is by far the best way to figure out what papers you need to send with your application. As you go through the tables, you might find that the information you need is available online instead. If this is the case, include the website address where the information can be found in your cover letter or email.

Before you ask for your sponsor licence, you should also read the full “Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors.” This guidance has examples that show you how to put together the right papers to prove your application. Additionally, this explains how to send certified copies by mail. It also outlines the standard process that UKVI uses to verify that the documents you send with your application are correct and genuine. If you have never sponsored someone before, it might help to read the route-specific instructions first.

Appendix A: Table 1

In some cases, you may not need to send all four papers that support your application, as shown in Table 1 of Appendix A for certain bodies and organisations. If your organisation matches those in Table 1, send only the documents or information mentioned. There are times when you might not need to send any documents at all. This is unless there are items in Tables 2 or 3 specifically needed for your type of company. It also applies to the way you want to become a sponsor. Some of the specific groups and bodies mentioned in Table 1 are:

• The “Departments, agencies, and public bodies” page at GOV.UK lists all the government departments, agencies, and other public bodies.
• Public bodies that aren’t mentioned on GOV.UK’s “Departments, agencies, and public bodies” page
• Authorities or councils in your area

Those who apply through the International Agreement route as a diplomatic mission or a consular post. Recognised international organisations on the “Exempt organisations list” whose workers are eligible for waivers of entry.

These companies are listed on the London Stock Exchange (main market). They are also applying through the “standard” or “endorsing body pathway” of the Scale-up route.

Figure 1 in Appendix A lists the exact requirements for each type of organisation. These should be looked at when needed. If not, look at Table 2 of Appendix A if your company is not one of the types shown in Table 1.

Table 2 of Appendix A Sponsor Licence

Table 2 shows the documents you need to fill out if you are a new business. Also, a franchise, a charity, or an outfit that needs to be inspected, regulated, or watched. The organisations mentioned in Table 2 are required to have the documents shown there.

Requirements Listed in Table 2

If you are a new business that has been in the UK for less than 18 months at the time of your application, you must show proof of a current corporate account. This account must be with a bank registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the UK. This is not required if you are applying as a UK Expansion Worker.

If you are a franchise, you need to show a copy of your franchise agreement that has been signed by both sides.

When you apply for a sponsor licence, you don’t have to show proof that you are a charity if your name is already on the register or website for the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland or the Scottish Charity Regulator. If you are not registering under a different name, your entry can be checked online. See Table 2 in Appendix A for more information on the extra proof that charities need to show.

If you need to be registered with, inspected by, or watched over by a regulatory group in order to legally do business in the UK, you will need to say who regulates you and give them your registration number. If your regulatory body does not have an online public record, provide proof of registration and, if necessary, your most recent inspection report. Table 2 of Appendix A should be used again to see the extra proof that is needed in this case.

After finding the necessary documents in Table 2, check Table 3 of Appendix A for any route-specific documents.

Table 3 of Appendix A Sponsor Licence

Table 3 shows the necessary documents for the route(s) you are asking for a sponsor licence. This part goes into a lot of detail and allows for a lot of different routes, such as

• The way for international athletes
• The route from Global Business Mobility (GBM) to the Service Supplier
• The exchange route authorised by the government
• Seasonal worker route
• GMB – Graduate trainee route
• GBM – UK Expansion Worker route
•  T2 route for a Minister of Religion or Religious Worker.
• GBM – Senior or Specialist Worker
• GBM to Secondment Worker.

When applying on any of the important routes listed in Table 3, you should also look at the documents that are needed for that route in addition to the other tables. For instance, if you are an English sports club and registered charity applying through the International Sportsperson route, you need to send in three papers and UKVI will do one online check. This gives you a total of four pieces of evidence:

Table 2 in Appendix A

UKVI requires proof of your charitable status, which may be confirmed on the Charity Commission for England and Wales website. This will count as one piece of evidence.

In Appendix A, in Table 3

UKVI needs proof that you have been approved by the sport’s governing body. You must send the appropriate document from Table 3 to show this. This is one more piece of proof.

In Appendix A, Table 4

Also, you need to pick two more pieces of proof from Table 4 to make a total of four.

Every time you look at Tables 1, 2, and 3, if you still haven’t found four papers to send with your application, you need to look at Table 4 in Appendix A.

Appendix A Sponsor Licence: Table 4

See Table 4 for a list of other documents you can send with your licence application if you still need to send at least four. These papers include:

• Proof of employer’s liability insurance coverage of £5 million or more from an FCA-approved insurer
• You must show proof that your business is listed on one of the FCA-approved international stock exchanges, the London Stock Exchange (AIM market), or the London Stock Exchange International Companies listing if it is an overseas company.
• You must show proof that you are registered as self-employed with HMRC. This can be your latest self-assessment tax return or an original or certified copy of a document given by HMRC.
• Proof that you are registered with HMRC as an employer for PAYE and National Insurance by showing a document provided by HMRC
• Additionally, your most recent confirmation of a Company Tax Return, or a return that has been filled out and a letter sent.
• You can send your VAT registration number in an email or cover letter to HMRC so they can check your registration online.
• Proof that you sent your tax returns to the HMRC – Foreign Entertainers Unit
• Also, proof that you own the building where your business is located or a lease signed by everyone involved
• Evidence that you have the right planning permission to run your type or class of business at your working address if the local government requires it.
• A permit from the local government or court that lets your business offer alcohol

Account details

• In a cover letter or email, include the name of the accountant (who should be a member of an accredited accounting group) and your most recent annual accounts, annual financial statement, or report. If the information can be found online, include the website address.

Business Bank Account Statement

• Your most recent business or corporate bank account and/or a letter from your bank explaining the nature of your business relationship with them and how long it has been going. However, if you send in both, it will only count as one (unless you are a “Start-up” as defined in Table 2).

Compliance Note

It is very important to carefully follow the rules for each type of document when choosing one or more documents from Table 4 of Appendix A to make up the minimum total of 4. This goes for all the paperwork or information listed in Appendix A. Failure to follow the rules precisely could result in your sponsor licence application being rejected or discarded by UKVI.

How can I get a Sponsor License?

After making sure that your business is qualified, the steps you need to take to apply for a sponsor licence are as follows:

• Check that the job qualifies for sponsorship.
• Choose the kind of licence you want to get.
• Pick the people who will be in charge of the sponsor management system (SMS).
• Fill out an online application, send in the necessary documents, and pay the application fees.

Need Assistance?

If for some reason your application for a sponsor licence is turned down, you would have to wait a while before you can try again. Moreover, this would cause you to miss your short- and long-term business goals.

Work with knowledgeable immigration professionals who can use their extensive knowledge and experience to help you make a well-thought-out application.

At UK Immigration Solicitors, we can check to see if you are eligible and help you choose the right type of sponsor licence based on the workers you want to hire. We can also help you figure out which Appendix A sponsor licence papers you need to include in your application and make sure you follow all the right steps.

To talk about your needs with an experienced immigration expert who will work with you to get the results you want, call us today at 02033844389 or chat with us online.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)