Post-Brexit, the freedom of movement has taken a different turn.The UK immigration laws stand equal now for both the UK and non-UK residents. From 01 January 2021, every employer in the UK will need a sponsor licence if they intend to hire skilled workers.
Irish nationals are exempt from this criteria.
Sponsor licence guidance
The Home Office has recently published new sponsor licence guidance. It highlights changes made to UK immigration rules in December 2020, particularly outlining the replacement of the Tier 2 (General) visa route for sponsored employment with the new Skilled Worker visa route.
Now from 01 January 2021, companies must have a sponsor licence to hire overseas skilled workers, including EEA, non-EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members, if they have not been granted settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme before 31st December 2020
Sponsor Licence Eligibility
The foremost requirement is that the employer’s organisation or Business must be fully functional and trading lawfully in the UK.
The employer can apply for more than one sponsor licence for its different branches, depending on the need.
The employers can self apply for the licence or can go through expert UK immigration lawyers in London
In case the Home Office identifies, the employer is unable to fulfil sponsorship duties, their sponsor licence can be countermanded.
Sponsor licence application fee
- The sponsor licence cost depends upon the organisation’s size for which the employer is seeking the licence.
- The Home Office regulates this cost. The sponsor licence validity holds for 4 years, hence after every 4 years, this licence needs to be renewed and the several different levels of sponsor licence fees paid.
- Medium and Large organisations pay £1,476.
- Small organisations pay £536 sponsor licence fee
An organisation normally qualifies as a small sponsor organisation if any two of the following apply:
- The annual turnover is £10.2 million or less
- The total assets are worth £5.1 million or less
- The company has 50 employees or fewer
Apply for sponsor licence
To apply for a sponsor licence, you are required to make an online application with 4 specified supporting documents as asked by the Home Office. The documents furnish actual proof of trading presence, and functionality. Additionally, you are also required to provide the background information about the company.
Sometimes, the Home Office asks to furnish some additional documents such as evidence of the company’s HR processes and policies to assess whether the company can fulfil compliance requirements and sponsorship duties.
During the assessment of the sponsor licence application, the Home Office can conduct a compliance visit at the company establishment.
It is best to take immediate action with the help of immigration experts. A Y & J Solicitors have some of the best immigration lawyers in London, who provide tailor-made solutions to your problem. They have been awarded the best immigration law firm’s award.
Their team can conduct a mock audit of HR procedures prior to the formal application process to identify any gap in the case and put an action plan to rectify it.
