UK Business Immigration
Service
We help UK businesses secure Sponsor Licences and manage visa applications under the Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility routes.
Fixed Transparent Fees
Sponsor Licence Specialists
End to End Visa Support
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Understanding UK Business
Immigration Routes
Two primary routes enable UK businesses to hire international talent. Each route serves different purposes and has distinct eligibility requirements.

Skilled Worker Route
For UK employers recruiting overseas staff in skilled roles. Jobs must be at the required RQF Level or above and meet minimum salary thresholds or the going rate, whichever is higher.

Global Business Mobility Route
For multinationals transferring senior managers or specialists to the UK. Covers Senior/Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker.
Skilled Worker Route
For UK employers recruiting overseas staff in skilled roles. Jobs must be at the required RQF Level or above and meet minimum salary thresholds or the going rate, whichever is higher.
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Global Business Mobility Route
For multinationals transferring senior managers or specialists to the UK. Covers Senior/Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker.
Explore More ›Comprehensive Business Immigration Services
We handle every aspect of business immigration from initial strategy to ongoing compliance management.
Immigration Experts
Comprehensive Business Immigration
We handle every aspect of business immigration from initial strategy to ongoing compliance management.
1. Sponsor Licence Applications
2. Visa Application Support
3. Compliance & Ongoing Support
Immigration Experts
Comprehensive Business Immigration Services
We handle every aspect of business immigration from initial strategy to ongoing compliance management.
Sponsor Licence Applications
Visa Application Support
Compliance & Ongoing Support
Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence
Obtain your Sponsor Licence to recruit skilled workers from overseas. Jobs must meet the RQF Level provided and meet both the minimum threshold or the going rate.
- Eligibility assessment including business structure and HR systems
- Appendix A document preparation (accounts, insurance, business evidence)
- Authorising Officer statement drafting and supporting evidence
- Online application completion and Home Office submissions
- Post-approval setup including Sponsor Management System training
GBM Sponsor Licence
Secure your Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence to transfer staff from overseas branches or establish UK presence through expansion workers.
- Route selection advice
- Evidence of overseas trading history and group relationships
- UK establishment documentation and compliance checks
- Application submission and Home Office liaison throughout the process
- Guidance on GBM sponsor duties and reporting obligations
Visa Application Support
Skilled Worker Visa Applications
Complete visa application support for workers you sponsor under the Skilled Worker route, ensuring all requirements are met.
- SOC code verification and job description alignment with Home Office requirements
- Salary threshold calculations including general threshold, PhD discounts and new entrant rates
- Certificate of Sponsorship assignment through the Sponsor Management System
- Immigration Skills Charge payment guidance and calculations
- Visa application guidance for sponsored workers including supporting documents
GBM Sponsor Applications
Visa processing for senior staff, specialists, graduate trainees and expansion workers under Global Business Mobility routes.
- Route assessment (Senior/Specialist, UK Expansion, Graduate Trainee, Service Supplier, Secondment)
- Certificate of Sponsorship preparation with correct salary and job details
- Salary and seniority requirement verification
- Overseas employment history documentation and 12-month requirement evidence
- Application support including maintenance funds
Compliance & Ongoing Support
Sponsor Compliance Management
Maintaining your Sponsor Licence requires careful adherence to sponsor duties. We provide ongoing compliance support to protect your licence and avoid penalties or revocation.
- Sponsor Management System record keeping guidance and best practices
- Reporting obligations for both Skilled Worker and GBM sponsors including changes in circumstances
- Right to work checks and document verification procedures
- Home Office compliance visits preparation and representation
- Licence renewal applications and rating maintenance
About Sterling & Wells
Who We Are
Sterling & Wells along with other services also provides UK business immigration consultancy dedicated to helping employers navigate the complexities of UK sponsorship and visa regulations. We focus exclusively on employer-led immigration, providing clear, practical advice that aligns with your business objectives.
Our expertise centres on two main immigration routes: the Skilled Worker route and the Global Business Mobility route. Whether you are recruiting overseas talent for the first time or managing an established sponsorship programme, we provide the support you need at every stage.
Our Approach
We understand that immigration requirements can seem overwhelming. Our role is to simplify the process, handle the technical compliance work, and give you confidence that applications are prepared correctly from the outset.
We work with a range of organisations including owner managed businesses, growing technology companies, international groups establishing UK operations, and established UK employers expanding their workforce.
- Clear fixed fee quotes with no hidden costs
- Practical advice aligned with your business timelines and hiring plans
- Thorough preparation to maximise approval prospects
- Ongoing compliance support to protect your Sponsor Licence
- Responsive service with direct access to experienced advisers
Why Choose Sterling & Wells?

Business Focused Immigration Advice
We align immigration planning with your hiring plans, project timelines and commercial objectives. We advise owner managed businesses, growing technology companies and international groups on practical solutions that work for your organisation.

Clear Fixed Fee Pricing
Structure
You will know our professional fees and the Home Office fees before we start any work. We provide detailed fixed fee quotes without any kind of hidden costs, no surprises and no hourly billing. Transparency is central to how we work.

Specialist Sponsorship Compliance Support
We work day to day with Sponsor Licences, Skilled Worker visa applications and Global Business Mobility routes. This is what we do. Our expertise ensures applications are prepared thoroughly and compliantly from the outset.

Advanced Immigration Regulatory Expertise
We stay current with immigration law changes, Home Office guidance updates and compliance requirements. We understand the technical rules and translate them into practical advice you can rely on.

Responsive and Personal Client Service
You will work directly with experienced immigration advisers who understand your situation. We respond promptly to queries, provide clear updates and remain accessible throughout the process.

Structured Application
Preparation
We prepare applications meticulously, checking all requirements are met before submission. Our attention to detail reduces delays, refusals and compliance issues, giving you confidence in the process.
THE FIVE GBM SUB-ROUTES
Frequently
Asked
Questions
Common questions about the service provided by Sterling & Wells, Sponsor Licences, Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility routes and visas. Straightforward answers to the questions we hear most often from employers navigating the Skilled Worker route
What services does Sterling & Wells provide?
What makes a worker eligible for the Skilled Worker route?
Eligibility depends on securing a sponsored job offer that meets the Home Office’s dynamic skill-level and salary thresholds. The worker must also prove their English language proficiency, with requirements occasionally shifting based on the application date. The specific criteria vary significantly depending on the exact occupation code and the candidate’s professional background.
What makes a worker eligible for the Global Business Mobility route?
This route allows overseas employees to temporarily transfer to a linked UK business, subject to strict skill and salary levels. Eligibility generally requires the worker to have a specific length of prior employment with the overseas business. Exemptions to certain rules do apply for specific high earners or structured graduate trainees depending on the corporate setup.
How long does the Sponsor Licence application process take?
The timeline heavily depends on the complexity of your business structure and how quickly your organisation can collate the mandatory supporting documents. Once submitted, standard Home Office processing takes several weeks, though expedited priority services are often available for certain routes. Proper preparation and accurate document submission are critical to ensuring the fastest possible turnaround.
What are the costs involved in sponsorship?
Sponsorship costs vary significantly based on your organisation’s size, charitable status, and the exact duration of the worker’s visa. Key employer costs include the initial licence application fee, Certificate of Sponsorship assignment fees, and the mandatory Immigration Skills Charge. Employers are strictly prohibited by law from passing the licence or certificate costs onto the sponsored worker.
What happens if my Sponsor Licence application is refused?
If a licence is refused, the Home Office application fee is lost, and there is generally no standard right of appeal. Your business will likely be subjected to a mandatory “cooling-off period” during which you are legally banned from reapplying. This period varies in length depending on the specific reasons for the refusal, such as missing documents or compliance failures.
What are sponsor duties and compliance obligations?
Holding a sponsor licence is a privilege that requires strict, ongoing adherence to Home Office regulations and wider UK employment law. Key obligations include rigorous record-keeping, conducting compliant Right to Work checks, and reporting worker or corporate changes. Failure to meet these duties within tight legal deadlines can lead to your licence being suspended or revoked.
GET STARTED
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Discovery Call
Ready to transfer your global talent or establish your UK footprint? Schedule a consultation with our specialists to discuss your business immigration strategy.
No obligation whatsoever
15 minute consultation
Tailored to your business
Meet Our Team
Meet our Lead Advisor and the dedicated Sterling & Wells support team—a partnership built to provide you with expert guidance and seamless service.
Our Related Blog
Dive into our latest articles on Business Immigration Services and more.
Senior or Specialist Worker Route (Global Business Mobility) Explained
How can Employers Apply for Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) in UK?
UK Skilled Worker Sponsorship Explained: Key Rules for Employers
UK Business Immigration Support
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