Understanding Sponsor Licence Duration:
Sponsor Licences are granted for an initial duration of 4 years in the UK. If you intend to continue sponsoring migrants, it’s crucial to renew your licence before it runs out. On successful renewal, you get an extension for another 4 years.

Criteria for Sponsor Licence Renewal:
Applications for sponsor licence renewal are to be filed online through the Sponsor Management System (SMS). After submission, the UKVI might request further business-related documentation. These must be forwarded to the Home Office within a 5-day window.

If you, as a sponsoring business, neglect to provide the necessary documents on time, the UKVI might reduce or eliminate your CoS allocation or even suspend, downgrade, or revoke your licence.

A potential UKVI visit to your establishment is on the cards when renewing your licence. It’s especially probable if you haven’t had a Home Office compliance check in the preceding 4 years. If discrepancies arise during these visits regarding your sponsoring activities, there’s a chance of licence downgrade or revocation.

Additional Information on Sponsor Licence Renewal:
You, as a sponsoring entity, can opt for a licence renewal up to 90 days prior to its expiration.

If you employ sponsored migrants and wish for their continued association, it’s imperative to renew your licence before its lapse. This holds true even if you don’t anticipate sponsoring new migrants soon.

Before initiating a renewal, meticulous checks should be done to ensure accurate sponsor licence data and adherence to all associated responsibilities.

Failure to renew could mean an inability to assign more CoS and removal of your company from the public register of licensed sponsors. Moreover, if the licence isn’t renewed but sponsored migrants are still employed, their visa gets curtailed to 60 days. Post this period, they’d need to either change their immigration category, exit the UK, or face deportation.

How Highwood Solicitors Can Assist:
Understanding the essence of timely sponsor licence renewal for businesses, our dedicated team at Highwood Solicitors, UK is here to guide you. We’ll collaborate closely to help extend your sponsor licence seamlessly.

Prior to lodging a renewal application with the UKVI, we offer services to validate and, if needed, modify details on your licence. Our experts ensure compliance with all sponsorship responsibilities concerning your migrant employees, such as record maintenance, reporting, and compliance verification. Should there be a long gap since your last Home Office audit, we’re equipped to execute a mock Immigration Audit, preparing you for potential Home Office visits.

At Highwood Solicitors, our commitment lies in clear, reliable immigration advice to UK businesses. Our dynamic team is not just about delivering results but also ensuring a professional, friendly client experience. For further inquiries, reach out to us at +44 (0) 1206523714.