Notable Changes Impacting Businesses with Sponsor Licences and Overseas Workers

For businesses holding sponsor licences and employing international staff, there are crucial changes on the horizon. Here is what you need to know:

Sponsor Licence Renewals

Sponsor licences currently require renewal every four years, but from 6 April 2024, there is a surprising twist. The Home Office has announced that licences expiring on or after this date will be granted an automatic 10-year extension. However, if your licence expires before 6 April 2024, you must follow the usual renewal process to avoid losing it, which would hinder your ability to sponsor overseas workers.

To see when your licence is due to expire, we strongly advise your Level 1 User to log into the sponsorship management system and check the expiry date.

Increase in Immigration Health Surcharge

Effective from 6 February 2024, the Immigration Health Surcharge has increased to £776 per year for certain categories, and £1,035 per year for most other categories, impacting students, dependants, and non-exempt applicants.

Ramped-up Civil Penalties for Illegal Working

From 13 February 2024, the maximum civil penalty for employing illegal workers has tripled up to £60,000. Ensuring robust right-to-work checks is now even more crucial to avoid penalties.

Changes for Carers and Care Homes

There have been some recent changes in the legislation concerning carers or senior carers, who are already in the UK or applying for entry clearance from outside the UK, and who wish to bring their family members (i.e. partners and children) to the UK. In order to join or accompany the main applicant to the UK, such family members must submit dependant visa applications before 11 March 2024. After this date, they will not be eligible as Skilled Worker dependants. Additionally, from 11 March 2024, care home sponsors will likely need to be registered with the Care Quality Commission to able to sponsor carers.

Updates to the Skilled Worker Route

Watch out for changes rolling out from 4 April 2024, as the new Immigration Rules will come into effect. Anticipated alterations include a hike in the general annual salary threshold to £38,700, amendments to the SOC Code salary levels, the removal of the 20% salary discount for shortage occupations, and a replacement of the Shortage Occupation List with the Immigration Salary List.

Stay ahead of these changes to ensure compliance and smooth operations of your business. If you need assistance or advice on navigating these adjustments, feel free to reach out to us.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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