Question 1

How do I apply for a sponsorship licence?

Accepted Answer

This can be done via the Government’s website. We have a specialist at CTC Administration to help support with this process and are willing to support at a reduced rate for RAP Affinity.

Question 2

How long does it take to apply for a sponsorship licence?

Accepted Answer

It can take up to 8 weeks to apply for and get an answer for your first sponsorship licence. This can be reduced when applying for your second. Alternatively, you can buy a fast pass for £500 to get your result in 10 working days.

Question 3

How many employees can be supported by that licence?

Accepted Answer

This is all dependent on the size of the company and the amount of accommodation available. Usually 5-10 licenses will be provided at first. If there is a need for more then these will have to be applied for via the home office.

Question 4

Can you use one CoS for multiple Applicants?

Accepted Answer

No, you need to obtain one CoS per applicant. Please Refer to the cost chart on page.

Question 5

Who provides accommodation for the Applicants?

Accepted Answer

The care provider will provide the accommodation. This can be provided in two ways. The care home buys the property and rents this to the applicant, or one of our welfare officers can help support with finding properties. In both scenarios, the employers will provide the first month’s rent to allow the candidate to settle in. Our Welfare team will work with the home to make sure the same genders are living together if there are only 2 bedrooms. (ex: 2 women or 2 men) to avoid sexual harassment. If the accommodation is not affordable, as this can vary according to the location, the care home  is to support with the bills/rent.

Question 6

What if the candidate doesn’t adapt to the care provider?

Accepted Answer

Our extensive screening process is set up to prevent this, but if this unlikely scenario does happen, the applicant can be transferred to a different care provider with an intra-company visa, and the current CoS can be applied to another applicant.

Question 7

How are the candidates are selected?

Accepted Answer

The applicants and care providers will complete a profile form. This will then be run through a bespoke made system where it will match up the perfect applicants and care providers.

Question 8

Will there be references?

Accepted Answer

References will be obtained when completing the signup process – similar to an HR process. This will be two employer references and one personal reference. References will be sent prior to the interview if requested.

Question 9

Do applicants get background checks?

Accepted Answer

Background checks are done differently in every country. RAP Affinity understands this process and will complete full-background checks on each applicant. The Government website provides information on this.

Question 10

Do the applicants need a minimum period of experience?

Accepted Answer

We accept applicants with various levels of experience. We work with providers to ascertain how much experience they are requiring from potential candidates.

Question 11

Does the candidate’s nursing degree need to be validated?

Accepted Answer

Nurses need to complete a nursing degree in their home country and complete an OSCE exam once in the UK.

Question 12

Is there a way to avoid wasting time in the induction process?

Accepted Answer

RAP Affinity partners with training providers to ensure candidates receive UK Social Care Standard training before arriving in the UK. This allows them to learn in advance and continue their development while working. Zoom sessions with providers are arranged before travel to introduce company values and deliver a comprehensive induction.

Question 13

How will the applicant’s rent be paid?

Accepted Answer

This is down to the employer’s discretion and depends on the accommodation situation. The money could be taken out before receiving wages (shown as a deductible) or paid back to the home or other provider after being paid.

Question 14

Will the applicants be allowed to bring their relatives?

Accepted Answer

As of March 11, 2024, the UK government has updated its guidance regarding dependants for social care and health workers. Applicants employed as care workers or senior care workers under the Health and Care Worker visa are no longer permitted to bring their partner or children as dependants, unless they were employed in such roles and held a Health and Care Worker visa before this date.

For the most current and detailed information, please refer to the official UK government guidance on the Health and Care Worker visa and its provisions for dependants.

Question 15

Are there different salaries for different job roles?

Accepted Answer

This is variable from location and will be discussed with the employers when completing the profile form.

Question 16

How long does the whole process take?

Accepted Answer

The process can take anywhere from 3 weeks (depending if the care provider applied for a fast track of their CoS) to 3 months.

Question 17

What is the benefit of using a recruitment agency instead of recruiting on your own?

Accepted Answer

Partnering with RAP Affinity streamlines the recruitment process, reducing the risks and administrative burden of hiring internationally. We specialise in sourcing high-quality candidates who are pre-trained to UK Social Care Standards, ensuring they arrive work-ready and committed to long-term careers in the sector.

Our approach goes beyond recruitment—we provide a structured pathway that includes:

- Pre-departure training: Candidates complete an intensive training programme aligned with UK standards before arrival, reducing onboarding time and increasing retention.
 - Workforce strategy support: We collaborate with employers to build sustainable staffing solutions, ensuring a consistent, high-quality workforce.
- Compliance and visa expertise: Through our strategic partnership with CTC Administration we stay up to date with evolving immigration regulations, simplifying the sponsorship process and ensuring compliance with UKVI requirements.
- Ongoing candidate support: We facilitate induction sessions, cultural orientation, and continued learning opportunities, helping staff integrate smoothly into their roles.

By working with RAP Affinity, you gain a recruitment partner focused on long-term success, not just short-term placements—helping to professionalise the sector and enhance the quality of care.

Question 18

What documents will I need to obtain a skilled worker visa?

Accepted Answer

These are all things RAP Affinity can help with obtaining.  IELTS certificate, (UKVI) version Police Clearance Certificate from your country of origin, copy of passports (main applicant and any dependants),  proof of address,  proof of COVID vaccination.

Question 19

How does a sponsorship licence benefit an organisation?

Accepted Answer

With a sponsor licence, organisations can improve their workforce diversity. A multinational organisation with a diverse workforce can easily work on cross-border projects. Also, a sponsor licence allows employers to bring new talents from different countries of the world.  With an inclusive and diverse environment, employers can improve on their teamwork perspective. Besides, diversity in a company with strong cultural values will result in an innovative and more powerful work environment.

In multinational organisations, there are demands for different skills. Some of these skills are rare to find. So, a sponsor licence will enable employers to hire skills that are in great supply in other parts of the world. With the sponsorship scheme, employers resolve the problem of the shortage of talent in their local environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions