Sponsor Licence Solicitors: Get Your Licence Approved
Why Employers Choose AY&J as Their Sponsor Licence Solicitors
- First, we check your business against what the Home Office looks for: a genuine trading business, the right key personnel, compliant HR systems and genuine vacancies.
- Then we build your Appendix A bundle, fix any HR gaps, complete the application and prepare your team for a compliance visit.
Why A Y & J Are Your Ideal Sponsor Licence Solicitors
- First need a confirmed job offer from a UK employer holding a valid sponsor licence
- Then, you can apply for Skilled Worker visa and move to the UK.
- Then, you can apply for Skilled Worker visa and move to the UK.
- Then, you can apply for Skilled Worker visa and move to the UK.
Our story in numbers
Refusal Risks and How AY&J Clears Each One
Common refusal risk
- Non-compliant right-to-work checking systems
- Weak or missing evidence of a genuine vacancy
- Missing HR policies (recruitment, absence, migrant tracking)
- A previous refusal or compliance issue on file
- Errors in the online application form itself
How we handle it
- We audit your HR processes and fix gaps before submission
- We build a defensible business case with the right supporting evidence
- We draft compliant policy documents as part of your application
- We identify the root cause and address it directly in the new application
- Every submission is solicitor-reviewed, not left to a junior caseworker
5 steps to your sponsor licence.
A free 15-minute call with our client team to check your business is eligible for a sponsor licence and spot anything that could rule an application out. This is a screening call, not legal advice, so there is no fee.
You receive: a clear view of whether we can help, and your fixed fee.
Once the client care agreement is signed, a solicitor reviews your business, the roles you want to fill and your key personnel, then confirms the right licence type and the documents you need.
You receive: a written eligibility position and a document checklist.
We audit your HR systems against sponsor duties, fix any gaps, draft the policies you need and build your Appendix A document bundle.
You receive: a compliance-ready application bundle.
A senior associate reviews the file independently before we complete the online application, pay the Home Office fee and send your supporting documents within 5 working days.
You receive: submission confirmation and updates on a set schedule.
We prepare your team for any Home Office compliance visit and handle queries until the decision, then help you assign Certificates of Sponsorship and stay compliant.
You receive: a licence ready to use and a compliance plan.
Our Process
The AY&J Process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Eligibility assessment
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
You receive
Written eligibility and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review & Evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
You receive
Pre submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J Process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
British citizenship eligibility assessment
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
You receive
Written eligibility and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review & Evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
You receive
Pre submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Eligibility assessment
We read the refusal and confirm you have a right of appeal.
You receive
A quick standing check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
We confirm your ground, appeal or JR, and protect your 3C leave.
You receive
Written next steps and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
We draft the grounds and build the bundle and skeleton argument.
You receive
A complete appeal bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review and evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
We serve the bundle and represent you at the hearing.
You receive
A pre-submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
We explain the outcome and advise on any onward appeal.
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Individual eligibility assessment
A phone or video call, wherever you are in Edinburgh, to check for issues.
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
A solicitor maps your options on a video call, at a time that suits you.
You receive
Written next steps and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
We gather your documents and build the evidence bundle for you.
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review and evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
A senior associate reviews, then we submit and deal with the Home Office.
You receive
A pre-submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
We explain the decision and your next steps by video.
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J Process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Family dependant eligibility assessment
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
You receive
Written eligibility and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review & Evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
You receive
Pre submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Eligibility assessment
We check both tests, the relationship and the finances.
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
We map the right financial category and the risk.
You receive
Written next steps and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
We build the relationship evidence and draft the application.
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review and evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
We submit online, book biometrics, and monitor the decision.
You receive
A pre-submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
We explain the outcome and plan extension and settlement.
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Sponsor Licence Fees and Timescales
In our clients' own words.
“After our ILR rejection, AY&J pursued our case through Administrative Review and Judicial Review. The team was open, honest, knowledgeable and attentive to every detail. They kept us informed at every stage, supported us throughout an extremely difficult journey and helped us regain confidence in our case.”
“I never thought I could find a visa route. I had been told by every solicitor under the sun that there just wasn’t an avenue for somebody who is self-employed such as myself as a small business owner—so I had given up on it for several years. Then I was connected to Yash and his crew at AY&J Solicitors, and here I am! We set up a UK Ltd company, successfully secured a sponsor licence, and sponsored my visa.”
Speak to a Sponsor Licence Solicitor
Sponsor Licence Questions, Answered
Application process
It might. The Home Office can carry out a compliance visit before deciding your application, particularly for newer or smaller businesses, and may also visit after the licence is granted. Officers check that your HR systems work in practice and that your key personnel understand their duties. We prepare your team so they can answer with confidence.
Application process
You'll need evidence that your business is genuine and trading lawfully in the UK, such as a business bank account, proof of premises and employer's liability insurance, plus details of your Authorising Officer, Key Contact and Level 1 User. These Appendix A documents must reach the Home Office within 5 working days of applying. We build and check the full bundle for you before anything is submitted.
Renewal and refusal
Not if your licence was granted from April 2024 onwards. These licences no longer need renewing every four years, so there's no renewal application or fee. You must still keep meeting your sponsor duties, including right-to-work checks, record keeping and reporting, for as long as you hold the licence.
Renewal and refusal
Most refusals come down to missing documents, weak HR systems or a vacancy the Home Office doesn't accept as genuine. A refusal normally means waiting 6 months before you can reapply, so getting it right first time matters. If you've already been refused, we identify the root cause and address it directly in your new application.
Application process
A standard Home Office decision takes around 8 weeks from submission. Priority service (£750) aims for a decision within 10 working days, but places are limited each day. You can't assign a Certificate of Sponsorship until your licence is granted, so it pays to apply early.
Who can apply
Yes. The company applies, not you personally. Your Authorising Officer, Key Contact and Level 1 User must be based in the UK most of the time, and are usually paid staff or office holders. None of these roles has to be held by a British citizen.
Who can apply
A virtual office on its own is one of the most common refusal triggers, so you'll need evidence of a real operating address such as a lease, business rates or utility bills.
Who can apply
Yes, there's no minimum trading period, though younger companies attract closer scrutiny and a higher chance of a pre-licence compliance visit.
Who can apply
There's no published minimum, but your business must show it can cover the salary and its sponsor duties, so turnover is judged against the number and cost of the roles you want to fill.
Who can apply
Yes, but a business that isn't trading yet has to work harder to prove it's real, so you'll need a UK business bank account, genuine premises, a credible plan and a vacancy you can evidence.