3 reasons your organisation can benefit from sponsor licence application guidance

The procedures surrounding the sponsoring of migrant workers went through significant changes over the last two years. EU nationals who weren’t in the UK also required sponsorship from 1st January 2021.

With employers being able to carry out the application process and sponsor the talent they require from outside of the UK, many organisations are starting to rely on sponsorship guidance providers to help them with the sponsorship process and to stay updated with compliance requirements and regulations reforms.

Since sponsorship licences are a mandatory requirement for any organisation that’s planning to hire talent from outside of the UK, having a streamlined process can not only increase the chances of obtaining a licence but can also help you avoid pitfalls that are commonly associated with obtaining a licence.

1. Helps you to understand the licence application process

The Home Office relies on the application process to assess the employer’s ability to meet the eligibility criteria. Organisations that submit applications with errors including delay or failure to provide the necessary supporting documents can result in the application being rejected.

To understand and execute the sponsorship licence process, there’s a significant amount of information and document planning that needs to be addressed. Organisations will have to:

Understand the parameters of a sponsor licence
Go through the step-by-step process of applying for a licence
Know your compliance responsibilities

Having the right support from a sponsorship guidance expert or an automated compliance platform can help organisations gain an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of the process and take the necessary steps to carry it out smoothly.

Immigration experts can also help businesses understand the Home Office’s UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements for a successful sponsor licence application. The supporting documents you require may also change based on the industry you’re operating in.

The right guidance can help you get a definitive understanding of the requirements that are unique to the business you operate.

2. Prepares you to meet the eligibility and genuineness test criteria

Organisations in the UK must offer evidence that they’re a genuine enterprise that’s operating or trading lawfully in the UK if they wish to sponsor a skilled worker from outside the country.

Even if your business doesn’t occupy premises in the UK but you operate in a virtual business environment, you can still apply for a sponsor licence. You’ll need to provide evidence, however, that you’re capable of meeting your duties as a sponsor and that you’re operating lawfully in the UK. Sponsorship guidance can help you prepare the documents needed to prove this.

The Home Office will also require you to present evidence of the vacancy itself and offer proof of why foreign labour is required. The right sponsorship guidance can help you build your case and also guide you on how to present evidence convincingly when applying for the licence.

In addition, they can also help you review your case and ensure that you meet all the requirements to obtain a sponsor licence, increasing your chances of becoming a sponsor in the UK.

3. Enables you to complete sponsorship duties and ensure compliance with Home Office requirements

Any organisation that’s planning to apply for a sponsorship licence needs to adhere to certain administrative duties that are designed to prevent illegal working.

Maintaining comprehensive and up-to-date records is an essential part of the duties of an employer since the documents must be available for inspection by the Home Office at any time. Aside from maintaining records, sponsorship guidance also helps businesses complete duties such as:

Monitoring and reporting: Having the necessary systems and procedures in place to track and monitor sponsored employees
Absence monitoring: Ensuring all sponsored employee absences are authorised and recorded
Notifying any changes in circumstances to the Home Office: Reporting any changes in the employee status and organisation process regarding the sponsored worker to the UKVI via the Sponsorship Management System (SMS).

Organisations must also allocate time and resources to conduct an internal audit of existing HR systems to stay ahead of any potential issues that may impact the sponsorship requirements before applying to the Home Office.

A sponsorship compliance platform and the right immigration expertise can help organisations get the advice and resources they need to meet these criteria and be eligible to apply for a sponsor licence.

3 reasons your organisation can benefit from sponsor licence application guidance