Maintaining a Sponsors License
Why must I maintain my license?
Your Sponsor's License is valid for 4 years, but can be downgraded to a B rating at any time by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) if they find that you are not compliant.
A B rating means that you will be given an action plan and deadline from the UKBA. If these deadlines are not met, your business could incur fines, and endanger the immigration status of workers sponsored by the company. There is a risk of fines being imposed upon first visit by the UKBA.
What must I do?
You must ensure that you are fulfilling all your duties as a sponsor, keeping up-to-date and compliant with all immigration and employment regulations, and keeping extensive records of your sponsored employees.
Most companies will be visited by UKBA, who will check that the Sponsor is fulfilling all their duties.
How can Visas For Companies help me?
Visas For Companies have the knowledge and expertise to help you to set up the systems and procedures you need to implement in order to get an A rating from the UKBA.
We provide extensive training and support to help you prepare your company for the UKBA compliance checks, and perform a detailed audit of your business to check that you will pass the UKBA inspection.
Our experience in immigration can help you put together the strongest application with the minimum of stress. We will check that your application is submitted with the relevant documents and put together in a way that gives you the best chance of becoming a fully licensed Sponsor.
Who makes the decision?
The UKBA will give your company a rating. An A rating allows you to sponsor workers, a B rating means that you have not met all the requirements and you will be issued with an action plan and deadline for compliance. If you fail to meet the deadline, your license will be revoked.
Common Questions
What are the chances that UKBA will visit us?
The UKBA are aiming to visit all Sponsors once they have submitted their application, either before or after their license has been granted, so it is highly likely that your company will be inspected by the UKBA.
What does your audit consist of?
During Visas for Companies Audit, we will inspect your management systems and paperwork to see that you are fulfilling all your duties as a Sponsor. We will make you aware of any issues or problems we find that could damage your chances of maintaining an A rating from UKBA.
The pre-application audit will consist of the following;
- A presentation on Section 15 of Asylum, Immigration and Nationality Act 2006
- A presentation on the Points Based System
- An assessment of your Human Resources files and systems to ensure that you have the ability to track and monitor migrant workers in line with your obligations as a sponsor
- Implementing procedures to ensure compliance
- Assessing the documentation that you have on file for all workers to ensure it provides a statutory excuse and is in line with your obligations as a sponsor
- Debriefing overseas employees (if necessary)
- Submitting the Sponsorship License Application online at your premises
- Advising and checking company documentation to submit in support of the Sponsorship License Application
- Compiling a report to send to the UK Border Agency post-audit
How long does the License last?
A Sponsorship License is valid for 4 years, but your rating can be downgraded or revoked at any time should UKBA find evidence that you are not satisfactorily fulfilling your duties as a Sponsor.