Sponsor licence applications often raise the question of whether one approval can stretch across more than one site. For employers with several offices, regional branches, or even a franchise-style network, the idea of holding a single licence rather than juggling multiple approvals is understandably attractive. Yet the answer is not always straightforward, because a sponsor licence is more than a piece of paper – it represents ongoing responsibility, oversight, and commitment to consistent compliance.
When a business grows beyond a single location, its workforce, systems, and culture inevitably become more complex. Some organisations centralise everything under one head office, while others allow individual sites to run with a fair amount of independence. This balance of control and autonomy lies at the heart of whether a sponsor licence can comfortably extend across multiple sites.
Key Definitions & Legal Reference Points
Before diving in, here are a few essential terms and sources to keep in mind:
- Sponsor licence: A licence issued by UKVI that allows a UK employer (or educational institution) to sponsor overseas nationals under Immigration Rules for Worker, Temporary Worker, and Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes.
- Branches/sites/offices: Different physical locations or divisions within one organisation. These may be in the same legal entity or different related entities.
- Franchise/group structure / linked entity: Businesses that may share ownership, control or management but are separate legal entities.
The most relevant legal/regulatory sources include:
- Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors – Part 1: Apply for a licence.
- Global Business Mobility (GBM) guidance
- Appendix A: supporting documents for sponsor licence applications and related guidance.
What the 2025 Rules Say: Multi-Site Licence UK
Here are the highlights of how the multi-site sponsor licence UK works under current rules:
1. Choice of Licence Structure
Organisations with more than one branch/site have options:
a) Apply for a single licence that covers the head office + all branches in the UK.
b) Have each branch hold its own separate sponsor licence.
c) Group several branches under one licence (for example, regionally or by business unit) rather than all or each one individually.
2. Eligibility: Common Ownership or Control
To use a licence for multiple branches, UKVI requires evidence that the branches/sites are linked by common ownership or control. That means you’ll need to show:
a) Financial or corporate documentation proving ownership/control structure.
b) That the branches are part of the same corporate group or under the same management or accounting control.
3. Franchises
The rules deal separately with franchises:
a) If the franchises are under your control (for example, you own them or have significant control rights), you might apply for one licence covering the head office and all UK branches/franchises.
b) If the franchises are independent businesses not under your control, each franchise must apply for its own sponsor licence if it wants to sponsor workers.
4. Restrictions & Disqualifications for Branches
There are cases where you cannot add a branch under your existing licence:
a) If that branch already holds a sponsor licence and it has a B-rating, or is suspended.
b) If the branch’s licence was revoked within the past 12 months (or 24 months, if revoked more than once).
c) If the branch can’t offer a genuine vacancy that meets the suitability criteria for the route in question.
5. Compliance & Duties
Having a multi-site licence doesn’t reduce your compliance obligations. UKVI expects:
a) Transparent records of which branches are included, their addresses, who the Key Personnel are (e.g. Authorising Officer, Level 1 / Level 2 Users) and their contact addresses. These addresses can be of the branch or the head office.
b) Regular monitoring, audits, and keeping up with changes (for example, adding or removing a site) through the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
c) That the relationship between the branches and head office must be open and transparent — no attempts to “camouflage” non-compliance or misuse.
6. Impact of Revocation / Downgrading
If a licence covering multiple branches is revoked or downgraded (for example, the rating falls to a B-rating), this can affect all the branches included in it. The same applies if one branch is non-compliant.
Specific Examples & Use Cases
Here are some hypothetical / real-like scenarios to illustrate how the rules apply in practice.
| Scenario | Is a multi-site licence possible? | Key considerations |
| Large retail chain with 20 stores in the UK, all owned centrally. | Yes. You could apply for one licence covering the head office + all stores. | Need to show ownership, shared control, central HR/payroll, ensure each site meets suitability, and maintain records. |
| Franchisor with franchisees that are legally independent companies (different owners). | Only the franchisor’s directly-controlled branches can be on its licence; independent franchises must apply separately. | Clear delineation of legal control; evidence of ownership; ability to manage each site under sponsor duties. |
| Group with overseas-linked companies sending workers to UK branches. | Yes—especially under GBM routes. You’ll need to include details of the linked overseas business. | Be sure the overseas entity is genuinely linked; the roles are appropriate under routes, contracts, and assignment of CoS that demonstrate that relationship. |
What’s Changed in 2025?
To ensure your multi-site sponsor licence application or current licence is compliant, be aware of the recent updates (as of mid-2025):
- The guidance “Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors – Part 1: Apply for a licence” was updated and is valid from 22 July 2025. This includes clarifications around multiple branches/sites.
- The Skilled Worker route was updated on 22 July 2025: among the changes are an increase in the skill threshold (skills level moved to RQF6 in many cases), and salary thresholds revised. These affect whether a branch/site can meet the criteria under certain routes.
- There have been clarifications in documentation around what counts as a “genuine vacancy” and how the branch/site must be able to deliver the work and meet conditions. Some branches may be excluded if they can’t demonstrate this.
Pros & Cons of Using a Multi-Site Sponsor Licence UK
To help you decide whether a multi-site sponsor licence UK is right for your organisation, here are the benefits and potential drawbacks.
Benefits
- Simplified administration: fewer licence applications, unified reporting and compliance.
- Cost savings: application fees, management overhead, fewer licences to renew/manage.
- Consistency: one set of Key Personnel, standardised HR/contract practices across sites.
- Flexibility: being able to allocate Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) across branches as needed.
Risks / Drawbacks
- If one branch causes non-compliance, the whole licence (all branches) may be put at risk.
- Some branches may not meet the suitability criteria; their deficiencies could endanger the overall status.
- More complex oversight needed: ensuring every site’s practices align with UKVI’s requirements (payroll, working conditions, record-keeping, genuine vacancies).
- Adding or removing branches later may require additional evidence and can be subject to scrutiny.
Best Practices for Organisations Seeking or Holding a Multi-Site Licence
If you’re considering this route, here are practical steps to maximise your chances of success and maintain compliance:
- Map out your corporate structure clearly: ownership, control, reporting lines. Ensure you have documents demonstrating control (company accounts, shareholder agreements, etc.).
- Decide which branches to include: include only those that you can ensure compliance for; avoid including weak or remote branches that may create risk.
- Ensure each branch can support genuine vacancies: the job roles must meet the criteria for the route (skill, salary, duties) and be real, not token postings.
- Appoint strong Key Personnel: Authorising Officer, Level 1 / Level 2 Users, etc. Ensure their contact addresses are accurate (branch or head office) and that they know their responsibilities.
- Maintain consistent policies across sites: HR and payroll practices, record keeping, and inspection readiness. Make compliance audits part of your routine.
- Plan for changes: if you add or remove branches, change ownership, or shift operations, do so under the processes required by UKVI (via SMS or other change-of-circumstances protocols).
- Monitor compliance continuously: developing a compliance calendar, internal audits of each site, and ensuring all branches meet UKVI rules. Non-performance in a single branch might endanger the whole licence.
Final Thoughts
A multi-site sponsor licence UK can be a powerful option for organisations with more than one branch, site, or office. It can streamline administrative burdens and reduce costs. But with those benefits come greater responsibility: you must ensure every branch you include meets UKVI’s standards.
If you’re looking for tailored advice, depending on whether you are a franchise, head office with remote branches, or group entity including overseas linked businesses, SponsorLicenceHub can help you map out which configuration will minimise risk while maximising your ability to sponsor overseas workers effectively.
