- £204 for one licence; £102 each for additional licences applied for at the same time.
- Licences last three years (vehicle immobilisation: one year).
- The fee is non-refundable in all circumstances.
- Front-line licences need a licence-linked qualification first.
The fee
GOV.UK states it costs £204 to apply for one licence, and further licences applied for in the same application are half price, £102 each. The fee changed on 1 April 2026 and is non-refundable in all circumstances. A licence lasts three years, except vehicle immobilisation licences, which last one year. Some training provider pages still show an older fee of around £184 to £190, so check GOV.UK. Fees checked 5 October 2026.
How the application unfolds
- Create an SIA online account.
- Complete and submit the nine-section application form.
- Follow the next-steps instructions, usually identity verification at a Post Office or through your employer.
- Provide your identity documents and a photo.
- Pay the fee, unless your employer pays.
- Wait for the decision. GOV.UK gives no fixed timescale; address history, criminal record complexity, pending charges and right-to-work checks all affect speed.
What the applicant needs
- Be 18 or over.
- Hold the licence-linked qualification for front-line roles: security guarding, door supervision, close protection, CCTV, cash and valuables in transit, or vehicle immobilisation. Non-front line and key holding licences do not require one.
- Pass criminal record checks, with overseas checks if you spent six months or more abroad in the last ten years.
- Have the right to work in the UK.
- Answer questions about compulsory mental health detention or measures in the last five years.
Identity documents
You need one Group A document and two Group B documents, one of which must show your current address. Group A includes a current signed passport, a DVLA photocard driving licence, a UK birth certificate issued within 12 months of birth and a HM Armed Forces Veteran Card. Group B includes bank, utility and credit card statements from the last three months, council tax and mortgage statements from the last 12 months and P45 or P60 statements. Photocopies, internet printouts, downloaded digital files and mobile phone bills are not accepted.
What a cheap offer promises, and what the licence requires
| Offer | Official requirement |
|---|---|
| Licence for £300 with no course | £204 fee plus a licence-linked qualification for front-line roles |
| Licence in days | Identity, address, criminal record and right-to-work checks first |
| “Cloned” or “ready-made” card | The SIA checks police, HMRC, regulator and other records as part of the suitability assessment |
| Fee refunded if refused | Non-refundable in all circumstances |
Why cheap offers are warning signs
A licence for £300 with no course, or a course provider that skips required content, is selling something that will not survive a check. A cloned licence bought for £300 led to a conviction; see cloned and fake SIA licences. For the employer's duty, see employing unlicensed security staff.
Who to contact
| Need | Where |
|---|---|
| Apply, pay and track | services.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk (SIA online account) |
| Estimate the timescale | The SIA decision timescale indicator, which is not binding |
| Report a fake or unlicensed operative | The SIA online form, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 |
Frequently asked questions
How much is an SIA licence?
£204 for one licence, valid three years, according to GOV.UK (checked 5 October 2026).
Do I need training for an SIA licence?
Front-line roles need the licence-linked qualification before you apply.
How long does an SIA licence last?
Three years, except vehicle immobilisation licences, which last one year.
Is the SIA fee refundable?
No. GOV.UK says the fee is non-refundable in all circumstances.
How long does an SIA application take?
GOV.UK gives no fixed time. Speed depends on things like address history, criminal record checks and right-to-work verification. A non-binding decision timescale indicator is available.
Can an employer pay for my licence?
Yes. GOV.UK says you pay unless your employer pays, and SIA approved contractors can apply on an applicant's behalf.