If you want to hire skilled workers from outside the UK, you need a UK Sponsor Licence.

This licence lets you bring talented people to grow your business.

But having a licence means you have important responsibilities. You must follow the rules set by the UK government.

This article will help you understand these rules.

What Are Your Key Responsibilities?

As a licensed sponsor, you have duties to follow. These duties help ensure the immigration system works correctly.

Here are the main things you need to do:

  • Keep detailed records.
    • You must keep copies of your workers’ passports and visas.
    • Store their employment contracts and job descriptions.
    • Keep their up-to-date contact details.
    • Record their attendance and any time off.
    • Make sure you have proof you are paying them the correct salary. You need to keep these records while they work for you. Keep them for one year after their sponsorship ends.
  • Report changes to the Home Office.
    • You must tell the government about certain changes.
    • Use the Sponsor Management System (SMS) to do this.
    • Report if a worker does not start their job.
    • Tell them if a worker is absent without permission for too long.
    • Report if a worker resigns or is dismissed.
    • Inform them about changes to a worker’s job or salary.
    • Also report changes within your own company. You usually need to report these changes within 10 working days.
  • Follow immigration laws.
    • You must always follow the UK’s immigration rules.
    • Make sure the jobs you offer are real and need skilled workers.
    • You must pay the right salary for the job.
    • Remember, having a sponsor licence is a privilege, not a right.
  • Appoint key people.
    • You need to choose people in your business to manage the sponsorship.
    • These roles are: Authorising Officer, Key Contact, and Level 1 User.
    • These people must be based in the UK.
    • They will use the SMS to manage your licence.
  • Ensure jobs are genuine.
    • The jobs you sponsor must be real jobs.
    • They must need the skills that foreign workers have.
  • Pay the correct salary.
    • You must pay your sponsored workers at least the minimum salary set by the government.
  • Check workers have the right to work.
    • You must make sure your sponsored workers continue to have permission to work in the UK.
  • Issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).
  • Prepare for checks.
    • The Home Office might check if you are following the rules.
    • These checks can be in person or online.
    • Make sure your records are organised.
    • Your staff should know their roles.

Why Compliance Matters

Following these rules is very important. If you don’t, there can be serious problems:

  • Your licence rating could go down.
  • Your licence could be suspended or taken away. This means you cannot sponsor any more workers.
  • You could face fines.
  • It could disrupt your business.
  • Your company’s reputation could be damaged.

By following the rules, you can keep hiring the talent you need. You also show that you are a responsible employer.

Get Help if You Need It

Dealing with sponsor licence rules can be complex. You can get help from immigration lawyers.

They can:

  • Help you apply for the licence.
  • Check if you are following the rules.
  • Train your staff on what they need to do.
  • Help you prepare for checks.
  • Assist if you have problems with your licence.

Understanding and meeting your compliance responsibilities is key to successfully using your UK Sponsor Licence.

By doing so, you can bring valuable skills to your business and help it grow.