How to Verify an Employer's Accredited Visa Sponsor Status (UK, Australia, New Zealand)

One of the most common mistakes international job seekers make is accepting a job offer or starting a lengthy interview process with an employer who cannot actually sponsor their visa. Some employers say they "can sponsor" without having the legal approval to do so. Others have had their sponsor licence revoked. This guide shows you exactly how to verify an employer's status — in under 5 minutes — before investing time in an application.

1. How to Verify a UK Visa Sponsor

In the UK, only companies on the Register of Licensed Sponsors can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for a Skilled Worker visa. If a company is not on this list, they cannot sponsor you — regardless of what they tell you.

Step-by-step: UK sponsor verification

1. Go to GOV.UK — Register of Licensed Sponsors (Workers)
2. Download the most recent CSV or spreadsheet file (the register is updated monthly)
3. Open the file and search (Ctrl+F / Cmd+F) for the company name
4. Check two things:
   • Rating: "A" (active, good standing) or "B" (provisional — employer is under review and has restrictions on issuing CoS)
   • Type: Should be listed as "Worker" (not "Student" or "Temporary Worker" only)
5. If the employer is not on the list, they cannot legally sponsor a Skilled Worker visa

What "B-rated" means

A B-rated sponsor has been downgraded by the Home Office, usually because they failed a compliance audit. They can still sponsor workers but under a Sponsorship Action Plan. This is a yellow flag — the employer can still legally sponsor you, but they are under scrutiny. Consider it carefully.

Additional verification for UK care employers

If you are a care worker checking a social care employer's sponsorship status, additionally verify their CQC registration (required since March 2024 for Health and Care visa sponsorship):

• Search at CQC — Search for Care Services
• The provider should show as "Active" with a current inspection rating
• If there is no CQC registration, the employer cannot sponsor care workers under the Health and Care visa

2. How to Verify an Australian 482 Visa Sponsor

Australia does not publish a public list of Standard Business Sponsors (SBS) — unlike the UK and New Zealand. This makes verification more challenging but not impossible.

How to check in Australia

• Ask the employer directly: Request their SBS approval reference number. Any legitimate sponsor can provide this. You can then ask a registered migration agent to verify it
• Ask for their ABN: The Australian Business Number confirms they are a registered Australian business, which is a prerequisite for SBS status
• Check the ABN Lookup: ABN Lookup — verify the employer is an active, registered Australian entity
• For healthcare employers: Check AHPRA registration of the facility and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission provider register
• Work with a registered migration agent (RMA): An RMA can contact the Department of Home Affairs to verify an employer's SBS status. This is the most reliable option

3. How to Verify a New Zealand AEWV-Accredited Employer

New Zealand has the most transparent system of the three countries. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) publishes a fully searchable, real-time database of all accredited employers.

Step-by-step: New Zealand AEWV employer verification

1. Go to Immigration New Zealand — Accredited Employer Search
2. Enter the employer's name in the search box
3. Check the results — the employer should appear with:
   • Accreditation type: Standard (up to 5 migrants) or High Volume (unlimited)
   • Status: Active
   • Expiry date: Accreditation is renewed periodically — ensure it has not lapsed
4. If the employer does not appear in the database, they cannot legally issue you an AEWV job token

4. General Red Flags to Watch For

Regardless of country, be alert to these warning signs when an employer claims to offer visa sponsorship:

• Employer asks you to pay visa fees upfront: In most countries, it is illegal or contrary to policy for employers to charge workers for the cost of visa sponsorship
• No written job offer before asking you to resign from your current job: Never act on verbal offers alone when a visa is involved
• Salary significantly below market rate: Some unscrupulous employers target visa-dependent workers knowing they have fewer options to negotiate
• "We'll sort the visa after you start": You cannot legally work without a valid visa. Never start work based on a promise that the visa will come later
• Employer cannot name the specific visa type or provide their sponsorship number: Legitimate sponsors are familiar with the visa type they use
• Job offer disappears after you relocate: Arrive only after your visa is confirmed in writing — not during the application process

5. Quick Reference: Employer Verification Links

• 🇬🇧 UK: Register of Licensed Sponsors (Workers) — Updated monthly. Search by company name
• 🇬🇧 UK Social Care: CQC Provider Register — Required for Health and Care visa social care employers
• 🇦🇺 Australia (ABN check): ABN Lookup — Verify the employer is a legitimate registered business
• 🇦🇺 Australia (Aged Care): Aged Care Quality Provider Register
• 🇳🇿 New Zealand: INZ Accredited Employer Search — Real-time public database
• 🇮🇪 Ireland: No public employer register, but verify company registration at Companies Registration Office Ireland

6. Frequently Asked Questions

What if an employer is not on the UK sponsor register but says they can apply?

An employer can apply for a sponsor licence if they don't already have one — the process takes 8–12 weeks and costs £536–£1,476. However, you cannot apply for a visa until the licence is granted. Make sure this is reflected in your job offer timeline and that the employer is committed to completing the process before your current situation requires you to move.

Can an employer's sponsor status change after I apply?

Yes. In the UK, the Home Office can suspend or revoke a sponsor licence at any time if the employer fails compliance checks. If this happens while your visa application is pending, it will be refused. If it happens after your visa is granted, you will need to find a new sponsor within 60 days. Monitor any communications from the employer during the process.

Is there an equivalent verification tool for Germany or the Netherlands?

Neither Germany nor the Netherlands require employers to hold a pre-approved sponsor licence for most work visas. For Germany's EU Blue Card, any company can sponsor if they provide a qualifying job offer — there's no public register to check. For the Netherlands' Highly Skilled Migrant visa, employers must be IND-recognised sponsors — see the IND Public Register of Recognised Sponsors.

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