Licensing application guidance

In almost every situation the answer to this will be 'I am carrying on or proposing to carry on a business which involves the use of the premises for licensable activities'.

Purpose of application for specific applicants

The other 2 answers to this question relate to very specific applications in a very rare number of circumstances.

Documents that are accepted to prove your right to work in the UK

You can prove your right to work in the UK by uploading a copy of one of the following documents:

  • a passport (current or expired) showing the holder is a British citizen or a citizen of the UK and Colonies having the right of abode in the UK.
  • a passport or passport card (in either case, whether current or expired) showing that the holder is an Irish citizen.
  • a document issued by the Bailiwick of Jersey, the Bailiwick of Guernsey or the Isle of Man, which has been verified as valid by the Home Office Employer Checking Service, showing that the holder has been granted unlimited leave to enter or remain under Appendix EU to the Jersey Immigration Rules, Appendix EU to the Immigration (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Rules 2008 or Appendix EU to the Isle of Man Immigration Rules.
  • a current passport endorsed to show that the holder is exempt from immigration control, is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, has the right of abode in the UK, or has no time limit on their stay in the UK. ‘Definition includes those with a document which shows that the holder is entitled to readmission to the UK (RUK endorsement)’
  • a current Immigration Status Document issued by the Home Office to the holder with an endorsement indicating that the named person is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK or has no time limit on their stay in the UK, together with an official document giving the person's permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a government agency or a previous employer.
  • a birth or adoption certificate issued in the UK, together with an official document giving the person's permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a government agency or a previous employer. Definition includes a full birth certificate issued by a UK diplomatic mission (British Embassy or British High Commission).
  • a birth or adoption certificate issued in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Ireland, together with an official document giving the person's permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a government agency or a previous employer.
  • a certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen, together with an official document giving the person's permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a government agency or a previous employer.
  • a document issued by the Home Office showing that the holder has made an application for leave to enter or remain under Appendix EU to the immigration rules on or before 30 June 2021 together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
  • a Certificate of Application (digital or non-digital) issued by the Home Office showing that the holder has made an application for leave to enter or remain under Appendix EU to the immigration rules (known as the EU Settlement Scheme), on or after 1 July 2021, together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
  • a document issued by the Bailiwick of Jersey, the Bailiwick of Guernsey or the Isle of Man showing that the holder has made an application for leave to enter or remain under Appendix EU (J) to the Jersey Immigration Rules or Appendix EU to the immigration Rules (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Rules 2008, or Appendix EU to the Isle of Man Immigration Rules together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
  • an Application Registration Card issued by the Home Office stating that the holder is permitted to take the employment in question, together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
  • a Positive Verification Notice issued by the Home Office Employer Checking Service to the employer or prospective employer, which indicates that the named person may stay in the UK and is permitted to do the work in question.

When taking the copy of your proof of right to work remember that we will need to see the following parts:

  • passports: any page with the document expiry date, the holder's nationality, date of birth, signature, immigration permission, expiry date, biometric details, photograph and any page containing information indicating the holder has an entitlement to enter or remain in the UK (visa or entry stamp) and undertake the work in question (the front cover no longer has to be copied).
  • all other documents: the document in full, including both sides of an Immigration Status Document and an Application Registration Card.

Licensable activity - seasonal variations

This is to state where the activity will take place for different periods at a certain time of the year. For example, where the activity will occur on additional days during the summer months.

Licensable activity - non standard timings

This is used to state if you require the activity times to be different on significant days within the year such as (but not limited to) bank holidays, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve,  the commencement of British Summer Time or major televised sporting events.

Opening hours - seasonal variations

This is to state where the opening hours will be different at a certain time of the year. For example, where the activity will occur on additional days during the summer months.

Opening hours - non standard timings

This is used to state if you require the opening hours to be different on significant days within the year such as (but not limited to) Bank Holidays, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve,  the commencement of British Summer Time or major televised sporting events.

Further information

Use this to state any other details about the licensable activity you may wish to include. For example (but not limited to), whether music will be amplified or unamplified, if the activity will be used for karaoke or if there will be DJ performances.

Description of variation

Use this box to give an overview of the changes being made, you won't to provide specific details here as this will be covered later in the form. Include details here such as changes to the layout of the premises, changes to licensable activity times or opening hours, removal of conditions, addition of conditions or removal or addition of licensable activities.

Personal licence qualification

Before you can apply for a new personal licence you must first attend a course to achieve the recognised licensing qualification. The aim of the qualification is to ensure that licence holders are aware of licensing law and the wider social responsibilities attached to the sale of alcohol.

The following Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders have been accredited by the Secretary of State:

  • BIIAB
  • CIEH
  • HABC
  • IQ
  • LASER
  • Pearson Education Ltd
  • QNUK
  • SQA
  • Training Qualifications UK

As a rough guide the course normally lasts one day and costs in the region of £150 to £200. There is a multiple choice examination at the end of the course which lasts 40 minutes.