The UK is facing a labor shortage, and many businesses are now hiring foreign workers to fill open positions. Companies that rely on domestic or EU workers are finding it harder to fill jobs and are turning to international candidates. As a result, the demand for UK Sponsor Licences has increased, leading to longer processing times for applications.
To speed things up, the Home Office offers a Pre-Licence Priority Service for businesses that need to quickly secure a Sponsor Licence. This service helps businesses that are not yet licensed to sponsor workers to fast-track their applications and shorten the wait time for approval.
What Is the Pre-Licence Priority Service?
The Pre-Licence Priority Service was introduced in November 2020 to help UK businesses get their Sponsor Licence approved faster. This service is especially useful for companies that need to hire foreign workers urgently. By using the priority service, businesses can reduce the usual processing time from 8 weeks to about 10 working days. However, approval is not guaranteed, and demand for this service is high.
Who Can Use the Pre-Licence Priority Service?
To use the Pre-Licence Priority Service, businesses must:
- Submit an online application for a Sponsor Licence.
- Complete the Sponsor Application Registration on the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.
- Provide all required documents and pay the application fee within 5 working days.
Once the application is submitted, the Authorising Officer in your company will receive an email from the Home Office confirming their eligibility to use the Pre-Licence Priority Service. The next step is to complete a Priority Service Request Form and submit it to the Home Office via email.
Processing Time and Fees
- The standard processing time for a Sponsor Licence application is about 8 weeks.
- With the priority service, applications are processed in about 10 working days. This can save up to 6 weeks of waiting time.
However, if your application is incomplete or additional checks are needed, processing may take longer. You will be notified by the Home Office if further action is required.
The fee for the Pre-Licence Priority Service is £500, in addition to the regular Sponsor Licence application fee. If the application is refused or withdrawn, the fees are non-refundable. However, you may receive a refund if the processing is delayed due to technical issues.
How to Request the Pre-Licence Priority Service
After submitting the Sponsor Licence application, the Authorising Officer will receive an acknowledgment email from the Home Office. This email will include a Priority Service Request Form. To apply for the priority service:
- Fill out the form and send it to the Home Office at the provided email address.
- If your request is approved, you will receive two emails:
- A confirmation email.
- A payment link via Worldpay.
You must pay the fee within 72 hours to confirm your request. If you don’t make the payment in time, your request will expire, and you’ll need to apply again.
When Might Your Pre-Licence Priority Service Request Be Denied?
Your request may be denied if:
- The service is not available for your type of application.
- The request was submitted outside of the available service hours (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, excluding bank holidays).
- The daily limit for requests has been reached.
If you don’t hear back from the Home Office within a day of submitting the request, your request was likely unsuccessful, but you can try again the next day.
The Pre-Licence Priority Service is a great option for UK businesses that need to hire foreign workers quickly. It allows businesses to reduce the wait time for their Sponsor Licence approval, making it easier to hire skilled workers from overseas.
If you’re unsure about how to apply for this service or need assistance with the process, Law and Visas can help. Our experienced immigration experts can guide you through the Sponsor Licence application process and help you fast-track your request to minimize business disruption. Contact us today for expert advice and support.
