Finding the right talent can be a game-changer for businesses. For many UK employers and HR professionals, sourcing employees with the right skill sets can be challenging, and it may become necessary to cast a wider net. Sponsoring skilled worker visas allows organisations to access an international talent pool, solve skills shortages and unlock growth potential.
Along with the higher skilled worker salary requirements introduced in 2024, businesses that hold or wish to apply for a skilled visa sponsor licence need to be aware of new changes to sponsor duties and immigration rules in 2025. This brief overview by Newfields Law covers what employers need to know about sponsoring a UK skilled worker visa applicant in 2025, including cost changes, digital requirements and the importance of reliable legal support to make the process smoother.
Accessing Global Talent – Why Apply for a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence?
The UK’s labour market has faced big challenges in recent years. Brexit, changing workforce dynamics in the wake of COVID-19, and emerging skills shortages have left many UK employers struggling to recruit and retain qualified talent. Skilled worker visas offer a potential solution by allowing businesses to hire key personnel with specialist skills in eligible occupations.
By getting a skilled worker sponsor licence, businesses can:
- Fill skills shortages in eligible skilled occupations such as IT, healthcare, engineering and hospitality.
- Strengthen their organisation by hiring highly skilled and experienced professionals from overseas for eligible jobs.
- Stay competitive in the market by attracting talented overseas workers.
While getting a skilled worker sponsorship licence comes with legal and administrative responsibilities, the benefits of a more diverse and capable workforce can outweigh the challenges.
Changes to Skilled Worker Visa Requirements
Immigration law is constantly changing, and new changes are coming in 2025. From cost increases to e-visas, here’s what you need to know.
Cost of Sponsorship Changes
The UK government has announced cost changes for skilled worker visa sponsor licence holders from the end of 2024. These changes include:
- No Passing Fees to Employees: Sponsors can no longer pass skilled worker visa application fees like the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee or Sponsor Licence fee to employees on the skilled worker route. The organisation will need to absorb these costs.
- Certificate of Sponsorship Fee Increase: The Home Office plans to raise the maximum application fee for Certificates of Sponsorship from £239 to £525. Businesses that sponsor skilled workers need to factor this additional skilled worker visa cost into their 2025 recruitment budget.
- Minimum salary requirements: As of 4 April 2024, the skilled worker salary requirement rose from £26,200 to £38,700 (or the going rate for the occupation based on the immigration salary list, whichever is higher) for new skilled worker visa applicants.
Graduate Visa Changes
Recent changes to the online application form have also affected the graduate visa route; a popular route for students and graduates hoping to become skilled worker visa holders and businesses looking to hire foreign skilled workers straight out of university.
- The skilled worker visa replaced the “Tier 4” student/graduate switching route in the Sponsor Management System (SMS) on 22 November last year.
- Employers sponsoring students transitioning to the skilled worker route must now use the updated CoS category of “Skilled Work (Student course complete switching to Skilled Worker)” in the sponsorship management system.
These changes require careful handling, and employers must ensure they’re using the updated processes for graduate skilled worker visa route recruitment.
Transition to e-Visas
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) office is going digital. By 31 March 2025, physical documents like the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) will no longer be accepted for entry to the UK. Instead, eVisas will be required.
Here’s what businesses and employees need to know as part of their sponsorship duties:
- Digital Proof of Right to Work: Sponsored workers will need to use their eVisa accounts to prove their right to work in the UK.
- Information Updates: Employees must update their personal details through their eVisa accounts as needed.
- Expired BRPs can still be used until the transition deadline for travel and organisations verifying the rights of existing staff members.
Businesses with a valid sponsor licence need to educate their skilled worker applicants and existing teams on how to manage these digital requirements to prevent delays with UKVI systems.
An Immigration Solicitor Matters
Sponsoring skilled worker visas is a great opportunity, but the sponsor licence application process is complex. HR teams should familiarise themselves with changes to sponsorship costs, evolving requirements and eligibility criteria, to comply with Home Office regulations. This is where immigration lawyers can help.
Immigration specialists act as your guide, simplifying complex policies and providing personalised support to meet your business needs. From managing sponsorship applications to avoiding compliance pitfalls, an immigration solicitor reduces risks, saves time and ensures your organisation and prospective skilled workers are fully compliant with UK immigration laws.
How Newfields Law Can Help Your Organisation
At Newfields Law, we know every organisation is different and we believe your recruitment strategy deserves a solution that’s as unique as your business.
Here’s how we can support your skilled worker visa sponsorship:
- Simplified Immigration Support: We align the complexities of UK immigration with your business processes, providing end-to-end solutions for applications, compliance and sponsor licence duties.
- Cost Conscious, Transparent Guidance: We prioritise transparency to help businesses budget effectively for short-term hiring needs and long-term talent strategy.
- Expertise in Visa Routes: From skilled worker visas to global mobility routes, we cover all immigration routes to help organisations find alternatives when needed.
- Long-term Partnerships: We are the sole immigration partner for many top brands, building long-term relationships based on proactive support and transparency on costs.
Additional Services We Offer:
- Recruiting EEA and non-EEA workers, including TUPE transfers.
- Skilled worker licence applications and Certificates of Sponsorship.
- Immigration compliance audits and HR training.
- Virtual and on-site employee and compliance toolkits.
By working with Newfields Law, you get a team of experts who know the intricacies of UK immigration and your industry’s recruitment challenges.
Looking Ahead
Sponsoring skilled worker visas in 2025 brings opportunity and responsibility for businesses. Staying informed of the changes, complying with the new rules and seeking advice are important during this time.
If you’re sponsoring skilled worker visas or want to become a Home Office approved sponsor, Newfields Law can help. We simplify the sponsorship process and provide practical solutions to help businesses grow.
Get in touch today to find out how Newfields Law can support your recruitment plans and build a diverse, skilled workforce for your business.
