The United Kingdom’s immigration system relies heavily on the Sponsor Licence, and sponsors are obligated to adhere to specific reporting requirements to ensure compliance with the law. In this blog, we will discuss the essential aspects of Sponsor Licence reporting obligations.
The Sponsor Licence is a permission granted to UK employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas. Sponsors must adhere to certain conditions, and reporting obligations play a significant role in demonstrating compliance.
Sponsors are required to report various changes and events to the Home Office promptly, including any changes to a sponsored migrant’s employment, such as job role, salary or working hours. This ensures that the Home Office has up-to-date information about migrants under their sponsorship. Any significant changes in a migrant’s circumstances, such as changes in address, contact details or immigration status, must be reported promptly as well. Sponsors are also obligated to report any instances of non-compliance with the immigration rules, including breaches of employment conditions by sponsored migrants. Timely reporting is crucial to address and rectify any issues swiftly. Changes in key personnel within the sponsoring organisation, such as a change in Authorising officer or Key Contact, must be reported to the Home Office.
In addition to reporting specific events, sponsors must maintain accurate and up-to-date records of sponsored migrants. This includes keeping records of contact details, immigration documents and any other relevant information.
The Home Office conducts regular compliance audits and inspections to ensure that sponsors are meeting their obligations. Sponsors should be prepared to provide evidence of compliance during these audits, making accurate record-keeping and reporting even more crucial. Failure to meet reporting obligations can have severe consequences, ranging from warnings and fines to suspension or revocation of the Sponsor Licence. Non-compliance can also impact sponsored migrants, potentially leading to visa cancellations or refusals. As the immigration landscape continues to evolve, seeking professional advice and staying informed and proactive in meeting reporting requirements is essential for both sponsors and the migrants they support.
How Gherson can assist
Gherson has extensive experience in all aspects of UK immigration law. 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 Twitter, 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.
©Gherson 2023