One of the most important steps for any prospective UK Skilled Worker visa applicant is verifying that the employer offering you a job is genuinely a licensed sponsor. This guide walks you through how to check.
Why Verification Matters
Only employers holding a valid Home Office sponsor licence can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship — the document required for your visa. Unscrupulous individuals sometimes pose as sponsors to extract money from desperate applicants.
Step 1: Use the Official Register
The Home Office publishes the Register of Licensed Sponsors (Workers) daily. Download the current Excel file and search for the employer’s name. Make sure the listed sponsor name matches the employer you are dealing with.
Step 2: Check the Companies House Record
Use Companies House to confirm the employer is a legitimate UK company. Look for:
- Active status
- A registered office address
- Filing history (recent accounts and returns)
- Number of years in operation
Step 3: Look for Independent Reviews
Search the company name with terms like “review,” “Glassdoor,” or “complaints.” Also check news coverage — particularly for care providers, where licence revocations have been frequent in recent years.
Step 4: Verify Direct Communication
- Look up the company’s official phone number from its website.
- Call to confirm the recruiter or HR contact actually works there.
- Be cautious of communications coming only from generic email providers (e.g., gmail.com, outlook.com).
Step 5: Read Your Contract Carefully
Genuine UK employers provide a written contract specifying job title, hours, pay, location, and notice period. Be wary of contracts that:
- Charge you for a job offer or sponsorship
- Demand unusual loan-style “training fees” repayable on early exit
- Are vague about pay or hours
- Are not in English
Red Flags Indicating a Scam
- Requests for thousands of pounds in fees from you
- Pressure to pay quickly or risk losing the offer
- Offers that arrive without an interview
- Salaries far above market rate for the role
- Refusal to share company name or registered details
Where to Report Suspected Fraud
- Action Fraud (UK)
- Your country’s anti-trafficking or labour exploitation hotline
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, or career advice. Visa rules and salary figures change frequently. Always verify details with official government sources (linked above) before making any decision. Beware of anyone offering “guaranteed” visas or jobs for a fee — these are common scam indicators.