Do You Need A Sponsor Licence For Remote Workers Based In The UK?

Key Points

• UK immigration requirements depend principally on where the worker is physically carrying out their work.

• A person working remotely from within the UK must have immigration permission allowing them to undertake that work.

• A sponsor licence is not needed where the worker already has an independent right to work in the UK.

• A sponsor licence may be needed where a UK-based remote worker requires Skilled Worker sponsorship.

• Describing a role as remote does not remove the employer’s right to work or sponsorship obligations.

• Ordinary hybrid working by a sponsored worker does not usually need to be reported to UKVI.

• Permanent or full-time remote working by a sponsored worker must usually be reported through the Sponsor Management System.