Sponsor Licence Application Priority Service – Fast-Track Guide (2025)

For many UK businesses, the need to hire overseas workers can be urgent. Whether you have a big project coming up or your ideal candidate lives outside the UK, delays in sponsorship approval can lead to missed opportunities. That’s where the Sponsor Licence Application Priority Service comes in.

This fast-track service from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) helps UK employers get a decision on their sponsor licence application within 10 working days, instead of the standard 8 weeks. By using the priority service, your business can reduce recruitment timescales, avoid costly project delays, and stay competitive in attracting global talent.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about how the priority service works, who can use it, how much it costs, what documents you need, and what to watch out for.

What Is the Sponsor Licence Priority Service?

The Sponsor Licence Priority Service is an optional service offered by UKVI that speeds up processing of sponsor licence applications. If you secure a priority slot, your application will be decided in around 10 working days instead of waiting up to 8 weeks.

Priority slots are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis each working day. The service is available for new sponsor licence applications and certain renewal requests.

For employers urgently needing to bring skilled overseas workers to the UK, the Sponsor Licence Application Priority Service can make the difference between meeting or missing critical deadlines.

Who Can Use the Priority Service?

The priority service is open to UK based employers applying for:

• A new sponsor licence for the first time
• Some sponsor licence renewals

However, there are conditions you must meet. You must have submitted a valid sponsor licence application online before you request priority processing. After submission, you need to send an email to the UKVI priority service team as soon as possible to request one of the limited daily slots.

Because these slots are very limited and can fill up within minutes, it’s important to act quickly. Businesses that secure a slot will be invited to pay the priority fee and can then benefit from faster processing.

How Does the Priority Service Work?

Here’s a simple step by step application process to using the priority service for your Sponsor Licence Application Priority Service:

Application Process

• Submit your standard sponsor licence application on the UKVI website.
• Prepare your supporting documents, as you’ll need to send them quickly if your priority request is accepted.
• Email the UKVI priority service team as soon as you’ve submitted your application, stating your wish to request priority processing.
• Wait for confirmation from UKVI. If you’ve secured a slot, you’ll receive instructions to pay the £500 priority fee.
• Pay the priority fee immediately upon receiving confirmation, as delays can result in losing your slot.
• Receive your decision on the sponsor licence application within 10 working days from when UKVI confirms your priority slot.

Required Documents

The priority service does not change the documents you must provide – you need the same documents required for a standard sponsor licence application. These typically include:

• Corporate bank statements 
• Employer’s liability insurance certificate 
• Proof of business premises (lease or ownership) 
• VAT registration certificate 
• Latest company accounts or annual report, if applicable

Ensure your documents are prepared, accurate, and ready to upload or post immediately after you apply. Delays in submitting supporting evidence can slow down your application even with priority processing.

Costs for Sponsor Licence Priority Service

The priority service costs £500, which is payable once UKVI confirms your slot. This fee is in addition to the standard sponsor licence application fee of £574 for small businesses or £1,579 for medium or large employers.

It’s important to know the £500 priority fee is non-refundable even if your sponsor licence application is later refused. For this reason, businesses should ensure their applications are complete, accurate, and meet all Home Office requirements before requesting priority processing.

Benefits of Using the Priority Service

Using the Sponsor Licence Application Priority Service can give your business several advantages, especially if you are working to tight deadlines or need to secure staff quickly.

Faster hiring:  Reduce recruitment delays and secure your chosen overseas talent sooner 

Avoid project setbacks: Prevent hold-ups that could impact contracts, productivity, or revenue 

Competitive edge: Move faster than other businesses competing for the same candidates

Peace of mind: Reduce the stress of long waiting times, especially when key roles need filling urgently

For many employers, the speed and certainty offered by priority processing are well worth the additional cost.

Things to Watch Out for with Priority Applications

• While the priority service offers great benefits, there are some important points to keep in mind:
• Daily slots are limited and can fill up very quickly. If you miss out, you’ll have to wait until the next working day to try again. 
• Submitting an incomplete or incorrect application can still result in refusal. The priority service only speeds up processing; it does not guarantee approval. 
• If your application fails because of errors or eligibility problems, the £500 priority fee will not be refunded. 
• Your application documents must be sent promptly, or you risk delays even if you have a priority slot.

Making sure your application is accurate, complete, and ready to go before you request a priority slot will give you the best chance of success.

FAQs – Sponsor Licence Priority Service

How fast is the sponsor licence priority service?

Once your priority slot is confirmed and you’ve paid the fee, UKVI usually gives a decision within 10 working days.

How do I apply for priority processing?

After submitting your standard sponsor licence application, you must immediately email UKVI’s priority team to request a priority slot. If you’re successful, you’ll receive instructions on paying the priority fee.

How much does the priority service cost?

The priority service costs £500 on top of the standard sponsor licence application fee.

Is the priority fee refundable?

No. The £500 priority fee is non-refundable, even if your application is refused or withdrawn.

The Sponsor Licence Application Priority Service offers UK employers a practical solution for speeding up the sponsorship process. By reducing the decision time to just 10 working days, it can help businesses fill vital roles faster, avoid project delays, and gain a competitive edge in recruiting overseas talent.

However, it’s essential to prepare carefully and ensure your application is complete and accurate before applying for a priority slot. Mistakes can still lead to refusal, and your priority fee will not be refunded.

For many businesses, the peace of mind and faster turnaround provided by the priority service make it a worthwhile investment when time is of the essence.

Need Help with the Sponsor Licence Application Priority Service? 

If you’re trying to get a sponsor licence quickly and want to avoid mistakes, we can help. At solicitors in Manchester , we support employers through the whole process from preparing your documents to booking a priority appointment with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Call us on 0161 464 4140 or book a free consultation today. We’ll guide you step by step so you can start hiring overseas workers without delays.