What is a Sponsor Licence?

A Sponsor Licence is granted by the Home Office, enabling businesses to sponsor non-UK workers who want to come to or remain in the UK to work. The licence is necessary for businesses hiring foreign nationals through specific immigration routes, including:

• Skilled Worker Visa
• Health and Care Worker Visa
• Intra-Company Transfer Visa
• Temporary Worker Visa

Having a Sponsor Licence means you will be able to issue Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to applicants, allowing them to apply for a visa to work in the UK.

Who Needs a Sponsor Licence?

Your business will need a Sponsor Licence if:

1. You want to employ non-UK nationals under the UK's points-based immigration system.
2. You are hiring workers for roles that are skilled and require sponsorship, including those in the Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker Visa categories.
3. Your employees will need a visa to work in the UK, including new hires or those looking to extend their stay in the UK.

Types of Sponsor Licences

There are two types of Sponsor Licences depending on your business needs:

1. Worker Licence: This licence allows you to sponsor workers who are filling skilled jobs, including those eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa or the Health and Care Worker Visa.
2. Temporary Worker Licence: This licence is for businesses sponsoring temporary workers for short-term roles, such as those under the Temporary Worker Visa categories.

Eligibility for a Sponsor Licence

To be eligible for a Sponsor Licence, your business must meet several key requirements:

• Genuine and Active Business: You must operate a legitimate and active business. The Home Office will assess whether your business is operating and able to sponsor workers.
• Good Compliance Record: You must have a history of complying with immigration laws. If you have previously breached immigration laws, it may affect your ability to be granted a licence.
• Ability to Comply with Sponsor Duties: You must demonstrate that you can fulfil the responsibilities of a sponsor, including keeping accurate records of employees and ensuring they are working in compliance with their visa conditions.
• No Criminal Record: You must not have been convicted of serious criminal offences, including immigration offences.

The Sponsor Licence Application Process

1. Assess Your Eligibility: The first step is to determine whether your business meets the Home Office’s criteria. We can help you assess your business’s suitability for a Sponsor Licence.
2. Prepare Required Documents: You will need to provide specific documents to support your application, including proof of your business's existence, financial standing, and compliance history. Documents often required include:
   • Proof of business registration (e.g., Companies House registration)
   • Proof of payment of tax and National Insurance contributions
   • Evidence of your business's trading activity (e.g., invoices, contracts)
   • Details of key personnel in your organisation (including contact details)
3. Complete the Online Application: The Sponsor Licence application is completed online through the Home Office’s Sponsor Management System (SMS). This will include providing information about your business and the type of workers you intend to sponsor.
4. Submit the Application Fee: There is a fee associated with the application for a Sponsor Licence, which varies depending on the size of your business and the type of licence you are applying for.
5. Provide Supporting Documents: Once the online application is completed, you will need to submit supporting documentation to the Home Office to confirm your eligibility. We can assist you in compiling and submitting these documents to ensure a smooth process.
6. Wait for the Home Office Decision: The Home Office typically takes around 8 weeks to process your application. During this time, they may contact you for additional information or to conduct a compliance visit.
7. Receive Your Licence: If your application is successful, you will receive your Sponsor Licence and access to the Sponsor Management System (SMS), which you can use to manage your sponsorship responsibilities, including issuing Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Responsibilities of a Sponsor

Once you have been granted a Sponsor Licence, you will be required to:

• Monitor and Record Employee Status: Ensure your sponsored employees are complying with their visa conditions, including working in the specified role and location.
• Keep Records: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records on each sponsored employee, including their contact details, employment status, and passport information.
• Report Changes: Notify the Home Office of any significant changes, such as if an employee leaves the business or breaches visa conditions.
• Comply with Home Office Inspections: The Home Office may conduct random compliance checks to ensure your business is adhering to its sponsor responsibilities.

Failure to meet these duties could result in your sponsor licence being revoked or downgraded, affecting your ability to employ non-UK workers.

Sponsor Licence Fees

The application fees for a Sponsor Licence depend on the size of your business and the type of licence you are applying for:

• Small or Charitable Business:
  • Worker licence: £536
  • Temporary worker licence: £536
• Medium or Large Business:
  • Worker licence: £1,476
  • Temporary worker licence: £1,476

These fees are non-refundable, so it's important to ensure your application is complete and accurate before submitting.

How We Can Help

At Immigration Advice Consultants LTD, we provide comprehensive support throughout the Sponsor Licence application process. Our expert team can assist with:

• Eligibility Assessment: We will assess your business’s eligibility for a Sponsor Licence and provide advice on improving your chances of a successful application.
• Documentation Preparation: We will guide you in gathering the necessary documents to submit with your application, ensuring that they meet Home Office standards.
• Application Assistance: Our team will help you complete the online application, ensuring that it is accurate and meets all requirements.
• Sponsor Licence Compliance: Once your licence is granted, we can help you stay compliant with Home Office regulations, offering advice on record-keeping, reporting duties, and visa checks.
• Ongoing Support: We provide ongoing support, including helping you manage your Sponsor Management System and renew your licence when required.

Contact Us

If you're ready to apply for a Sponsor Licence or need expert advice on the process, get in touch with Immigration Advice Consultants LTD today. Our experienced team is here to guide you through every step of the process.

Phone: 0203 916 6464
Email: info@iacgroup.uk
Instagram: @immigrationadviceconsultants

Right to Work Checks & Ongoing Support and Training

Ensuring compliance with Right to Work checks and providing ongoing support and training for employees and employers is essential in maintaining a legally compliant workforce. At Immigration Advice Consultants LTD, we help businesses manage these responsibilities effectively, reducing the risk of penalties and ensuring that you continue to meet Home Office regulations.

Right to Work Checks

As an employer, it’s your responsibility to ensure that every employee has the Right to Work in the UK. Conducting Right to Work checks is essential before an employee starts working with you and throughout their employment. Failing to carry out the necessary checks could result in significant penalties, including fines and the loss of your sponsor licence.

Why Are Right to Work Checks Important?

• Legal Requirement: Employers are legally required to check that all employees have permission to work in the UK.
• Avoid Penalties: For a first breach in a 3-year period, the starting penalty will be £45,000 per illegal worker, before any reductions are applied, whilst for a second or subsequent breach, the starting point is £60,000.
• Compliance with Immigration Laws: Carrying out Right to Work checks ensures your business complies with immigration law and retains its eligibility to hire foreign workers.

When Should Right to Work Checks Be Done?

• Before Employment Starts: You must conduct the Right to Work check before an employee begins work with you. If they are a foreign national, it is important to verify that they hold a valid visa that allows them to work.
• During Employment: Employers should periodically check the continued eligibility of their workers, especially for those with visas with limited durations. You should make these checks whenever an employee’s visa status changes or when they apply for visa extensions.

How to Conduct Right to Work Checks

1. Document Checks: As part of the Right to Work check, you must inspect original documents that confirm the employee's eligibility to work in the UK. These documents might include:
   • A UK or EEA passport
   • A biometric residence permit
   • An official Home Office letter confirming the employee’s immigration status
2. Online Checks: For employees who are in the UK on a digital status, the Home Office allows online Right to Work checks. The employee will provide you with a share code to check their status online.
3. Record Keeping: It is critical to keep records of the Right to Work checks performed, including the documents provided and the dates on which the checks were carried out. These records should be kept for at least two years after the employee leaves your company.

What to Do if the Employee Does Not Have the Right to Work

If an employee does not have the Right to Work or if their visa has expired, you cannot legally employ them. If you discover this after employment has started, you must stop their employment immediately and notify the Home Office.

Ongoing Support for Employers

At Immigration Advice Consultants LTD, we provide ongoing support to ensure your business stays compliant with Right to Work regulations and other immigration-related responsibilities.

Support We Offer:

1. Guidance on Compliance: We provide expert advice on how to conduct Right to Work checks, helping you understand the various types of visas and permits, and what documentation is required for each employee.
2. Audit Services: We conduct regular audits to ensure your company is consistently performing the necessary checks and maintaining proper records, helping to mitigate any potential risks.
3. Assistance with Sponsor Licence Obligations: If your business holds a Sponsor Licence or plans to apply for one, we can assist with ongoing responsibilities such as monitoring and reporting on sponsored workers, ensuring that your organisation remains compliant with Home Office requirements.

Training for Employers

Training your HR and recruitment teams to handle Right to Work checks properly is crucial. Our Right to Work Training programs ensure that your team fully understands the process and legal requirements.

What Our Training Includes:

1. Understanding Right to Work Obligations: We train your staff on how to properly conduct Right to Work checks before hiring new employees and during their employment.
2. Visas and Immigration Status: We provide your team with knowledge about the various types of visas and immigration statuses employees may have and the necessary documentation for each type.
3. Record Keeping and Audits: Our training covers how to maintain proper records, including what to store and how long to keep documents, to remain compliant with the Home Office.
4. How to Handle Compliance Audits: We educate your team on how to handle compliance visits from the Home Office, including what documents to have ready and how to demonstrate that you are fulfilling your responsibilities.

Benefits of Ongoing Support & Training

1. Minimise Risk: Regular training and updates help ensure that your business remains compliant with the latest immigration laws and regulations, reducing the risk of fines or penalties.
2. Protect Your Sponsor Licence: By staying up to date on compliance obligations and best practices, you will maintain your ability to sponsor foreign workers under the Skilled Worker visa and other immigration routes.
3. Increased Efficiency: Well-trained staff will be able to conduct Right to Work checks efficiently, avoiding delays in the recruitment process and ensuring that only eligible workers are hired.
4. Peace of Mind: With our ongoing support and training, you can be confident that your business is compliant with all the necessary legal requirements and that you are taking the right steps to avoid any issues.

How We Can Help

At Immigration Advice Consultants LTD, we offer tailored advice and training to ensure that your business complies with Right to Work checks and other immigration-related regulations. Our team of experts is here to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring smooth and legal employment practices.

• Right to Work Check Assistance: We offer expert guidance to help you understand the requirements for Right to Work checks and conduct them correctly.
• Ongoing Compliance Support: Our team can assist in ensuring your business maintains compliance with immigration law through ongoing monitoring, audits, and reporting support.
• Tailored Training: We provide customized Right to Work and Sponsor Licence training to your team, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge to manage immigration obligations effectively.
• Full Compliance Management: From right to work checks to sponsor licence management, we provide full support to help you navigate the complex UK immigration system.

Contact Us

If you need assistance with Right to Work checks or Sponsor Licence compliance, or would like to book training for your team, contact Immigration Advice Consultants LTD today.