Thinking of hiring from the EU?
The way you hire from the EU has changed. You need to register as a licensed sponsor to hire eligible people from outside the UK.
Free movement has ended, and the new points-based immigration system has salary and language requirements that change the way you hire from the EU.
The new system treats EU and non-EU citizens equally and transforms the way in which employers recruit from outside the UK.
You need a sponsor licence to hire most eligible employees from outside the UK. This does not apply to Irish citizens.
Some immigration routes, such as Global Talent, are ‘unsponsored’. You don’t need a licence to hire employees with an unsponsored visa.
The Home Office has created a podcast episode in partnership with Intelligence Squared to help you prepare for the points-based immigration system.
Listen now to Business and the future of immigration in 2021
A panel of independent experts from the world of business and immigration explain what the new immigration system is and the practical steps you can take to prepare. You can also listen on Apple and Spotify.
Before applying to be a sponsor you should:
To apply, you will need to:
People coming to work in the UK will need to meet certain requirements:
As a licensed sponsor, you will be able to hire eligible employees from anywhere in the world.
To hire someone from outside the UK, excluding Irish citizens, the job you are advertising must meet the minimum skill and salary thresholds:
If the above requirements are met and you are a licensed sponsor, you will be able to sponsor their application to come to the UK to work.
The new system will not apply to EU employees already working for you in the UK.
EU citizens and their family members living in the UK by 31 December 2020 can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Those eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme must apply by 30 June 2021.
The UK has left the EU and the transition period ended on 31 December 2020. Find out how your business could be affected.