Immigration Advice

Following the end of EU free-movement at the close of 2020 and revisions to the Immigration Rules in the UK, any business seeking to engage a non-UK resident worker must hold and operate a valid Sponsorship Licence.

To hire any non-UK resident worker under the revised points based system, the business must obtain a Sponsorship Licence from the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) division of the Home Office, and comply with fixed immigration duties.

We can assist in the acquisition, operation and maintenance of the necessary Sponsorship Licence, at every stage of the working relationship and beyond. We also offer Fixed fee, staged support available to assist with the acquisition and operation of your Sponsorship Licence.

Here's how we help Employers requiring to sponsor a migrant worker;

Acquisition or Renewal of a Sponsorship Licence

Assistance may include the following:

• Assessing the business’s requirements & suitability for obtaining a Sponsorship Licence, including determining the business's eligibility (or otherwise) & any requirement for any undefined Certificates of Sponsorship;
• Considering the appropriate sponsorship available for the personnel in mind including the individual and business eligibility criteria;
• Determining the suitable Sponsorship Licence application to be submitted;
• Assessing the suitability of the current HR systems and suggesting areas of improvement, if any, including an initial review of the applicable Contracts of Employment and Staff Handbook;
• Agreeing the appropriate key users to be appointed under the Sponsorship Licence;
• Assisting in preparation of the licence application including determining the supporting documentation to be submitted and providing a letter of support summarising the business's need for a licence.

Maintenance of a Sponsorship Licence

We can provide ongoing support and management of the Sponsorship Licence including periodic compliance checks to ensure reporting duties are met and, where necessary, we can act through the Sponsor Management System for the Sponsoring Employer.

Sponsorship of a Worker

Where a Sponsorship Licence is in place, we can assist in the application and assignment of any required Certificate of Sponsorship including the following:

• Determining the Certificate of Sponsorship to be procured for the worker;
• Assessing the proposed worker’s eligibility;
• Assisting/submitting the application for any defined Certificate of Sponsorship, if applicable; and
• Assisting/assigning the defined/undefined (as appropriate) Certificate of Sponsorship to the Worker.