How can we help with Sponsor Licence applications and compliance?
The process of applying for and then maintaining a sponsor license is an ongoing commitment for your business. By engaging RVS Solicitors, you can focus on running your organisation while we take care Sponsor Licence matters on your behalf. We do this for many clients and have a strong track record of ensuring they are always compliant in the event of an audit by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
We are a modern, progressive, efficient, digitally-based boutique law firm that repeatedly achieves positive results. Where we differ from most traditional law firms is that we tailor our services to your immigration law and commercial needs. Not only do we provide a bespoke service, we care for the lives of our clients, and their families, and we do everything we can to make the process as easy as possible.
Our solicitors will take the time to understand the details of your business, including structure, objectives, and employment needs. Based on this, and our knowledge of the sponsorship and compliance process, we will recommend an approach which will meet the needs of your business.
To ensure you are always compliant, we will review and recommend changes to your HR policies and procedures, manage your Sponsor-License Management System (SMS), and carry out mock compliance audits, which will simulate what will happen when UKVI officers pay a visit (which are often unannounced).
Is our organisation eligible for a Tier 2 or Tier 5 Sponsor License?
Tier 2 visas are intended for employers needing to recruit staff from outside of the EEA on a long-term basis; Tier 5 is aimed at those requiring temporary workers.
To apply for a Sponsor License, your organisation must be legally operating in the UK, have no record of prior failure to fulfil the duties of a Sponsor License holder, and must not have any unspent criminal convictions for immigration offences or money laundering.
RVS Solicitors understand the finer details of the eligibility requirements and can quickly advise if you will be able to apply for a Sponsor License, and how any potential challenges can be worked through. We believe in being open, straight-forward and cutting through any legal complexity to make the matter as clear as possible. We will work with a nominated advisor or representative of your business to gather the information necessary to put together a robust application – allowing you to focus on managing the operation and growth of your business.
What are the responsibilities of a Sponsor License holder?
1 – Appointing Key Personnel
As a holder of a sponsor license to recruit temporary or long-term employees from outside of the EEA, you will need to demonstrate that you have appointed ‘key personnel’, and they are of good character and dependable. The key personnel that must be nominated are:
- Authorising officer – a senior and competent person responsible for the actions of staff and representatives who operate the Sponsor Licence Management System (SMS)
- Key contact – your main point of contact with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
- Level 1 user – responsible for all day-to-day management of your licence using the SMS
RVS Solicitors can assist by taking over one of these key personnel roles for you. We can also take over the management of your SMS, ensuring it is compliant and up-to-date.
2 – Complaint HR Systems
UKVI will need to see that you have implemented HR processes and systems that allow you to manage your sponsored staff, including:
- Recording your employees’ immigration status
- Keeping copies of relevant documentsfor each employee
- Track and record employees’ attendance
- Storing current employee contact details
- Reporting to UKVI if there is a problem, for example, if one of your employees stops coming to work
3 – Performing checks on sponsored workers
When assessing your compliance to hold a sponsor license, UKVI will look for evidence that:
- any sponsored workers that you recruit have the necessary skills, qualifications or professional accreditations for their role
- You have run compliant Resident Labour Market Tests if the position is not listed on the Shortage Occupation List, or covered under any other exception
- You only assign certificates of sponsorship to workers when the job is suitable for sponsorship, and;
- Your business is offering employment positions suitable for Tier 2 & Tier 5 skill requirements, which are genuine positions and the meet minimum salary guidelines
Let our team take the burden of applying for a Sponsor Licence and managing your compliance duties and responsibilities. We will partner with your organisation long-term, providing practical, smart advice tailored to the needs of your business and its staff.
