An employer must have a sponsor licence to sponsor anyone who is not a “settled worker”.
Generally speaking, a settled worker is a person who is:
- a British citizen
- an EEA national or Swiss national who arrived in the UK before 11 pm on 31 December 2020 (and their eligible family members), provided they apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021 and that application is granted
- a person with pre-settled status or settled status granted under the EU Settlement Scheme
- a British overseas territories citizen (except for those from sovereign base areas in Cyprus)
- a Commonwealth citizen with a UK Ancestry route visa or with the right of abode in the UK
- anyone who has indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK or is otherwise settled within the meaning of section 33(2A) of the Immigration Act 1971
- an Irish citizen
Anyone who does not fall into the above category will require a visa to live and work in the UK.
