Renewal of Sponsorship licence

The Home Office has announced that from 6 April 2024, they will remove the requirement for sponsors to renew their sponsor licence.

This means that if your sponsor licence is due to expire on or after this date, you will no longer need to apply to renew your licence or pay a renewal fee.

Employers need to submit a renewal application online via the Sponsor Management System (SMS) at least 1 month before the expiry date of their existing licence. The application will require updated information about the company, its employees, and any changes in the business circumstances.

Immigration and visa policies can change over time, so it's recommended to consult with an immigration solicitor for up-to-date information and requirements regarding sponsor licences and work visas in the UK.

Do you need legal advice or assistance with the renewal of your sponsor licence? Contact our business immigration solicitors in London at 0203 417 3700.

Page Contents

1. How to renew a sponsor licence?
2. Failure to renew a sponsor licence
3. How long does it take to renew a sponsor licence?
4. How much is the sponsor licence renewal fee?
5. Immigration solicitors for sponsor licence application
6. Need Legal Advice & Assistance?

How to renew a sponsor licence?

To renew a Sponsorship Licence in the UK, employers must follow the necessary steps outlined by the Home Office. Here is an overview of the renewal process:

1. Application submission
2. Document submission
3. Payment of fees
4. Compliance checks
5. Decision notification

Application submission

Employers need to submit a renewal application online via the Sponsor Management System (SMS) at least one month before the expiry date of their existing licence. The application will require updated information about the company, its employees, and any changes in the business circumstances.

Document submission

Along with the application, employers must provide supporting documents to prove their continued eligibility for a sponsorship licence. These documents may include financial evidence, legal registration documents, and any other requested information.

Payment of fees

A renewal application incurs a fee which must be paid during the application submission. The amount varies depending on the licence type and the organisation's size.

Compliance checks

The Home Office may conduct compliance checks to verify the employer's compliance with the sponsor licence duties and requirements. This may involve requesting additional documents or conducting site visits.

Decision notification

Once the renewal application is processed, the Home Office will inform the employer of the decision. If approved, a new sponsor licence will be issued with a validity period of usually four years.

It's important for employers to be proactive and start the renewal process well in advance to avoid any disruptions in their ability to sponsor foreign workers. Failure to renew the licence before its expiry date may result in the withdrawal of the sponsor licence and the loss of the ability to employ sponsored workers.

Failure to renew a sponsor licence

Failure to renew a sponsor licence before its expiry date can have several consequences for employers. Here are some of the potential impacts:

Inability to employ foreign workers

If a sponsor licence is not renewed on time, the employer loses the ability to sponsor and employ foreign workers under the skilled worker routes in the UK. This may result in a significant loss of skilled workforce or the inability to fill key positions.

Disruption to existing sponsorship arrangements

Failure to renew a sponsor licence can lead to disruption in the status of existing sponsored employees. The Home Office may curtail or revoke their work visas, and these employees could be required to leave the UK or find alternative sponsorship.

Impact on business operations

Losing the ability to hire foreign workers can hamper business operations, especially if the company relies on specific skills or experiences that are not easily available within the local labour market. This could potentially delay projects, reduce productivity, or even lead to financial losses.

Reapplying from scratch

If a sponsor licence is not renewed on time or is revoked, the employer may have to reapply for a new sponsor licence. This involves going through the process again, submitting a new application, and providing updated documentation. It can be time-consuming and may disrupt business continuity further.

Reputation and compliance implications

Failure to comply with sponsor licence requirements can have reputational consequences for an employer, particularly if the non-compliance attracts negative attention. It may also impact the employer's ability to apply for other licences or permits in the future.

To avoid these consequences, employers should ensure they keep track of their sponsor licence expiry date and start the renewal process well in advance.

How long does it take to renew a sponsor licence?

Home Office takes around 8 weeks to process a sponsor licence renewal application under the standard service.

You may be able to use the 'pre-licence priority service' when you apply for a sponsor licence to get a faster decision within 10 working days. You'll need to pay £500 in addition to the sponsorship licence application fee.

This service is limited to a small number of applications every working day. Faster decisions are allocated in the order that requests arrive (first come, first served). You'll be told how to ask for a faster decision after you apply.

How much is the sponsor licence renewal fee?

The sponsor licence renewal application fee is between £536 - £1,476 depending on the size of your organisation/company and the type of licence you are applying for.

Immigration solicitors for sponsor licence application

Our highly experienced team of business immigration solicitors in Wembley, London will assist you through the process of renewal of your sponsor licence.

Business immigration solicitors at Wembley Solicitors will:

• assess your eligibility and advice you about the requirements
• advise you about who the key personnel should be
• advise you about how to remain compliant and the employer's duties
• provide you with a comprehensive checklist of supporting documents
• help you to choose the correct type of sponsor licence
• prepare and submit the sponsor licence application online
• do all the follow-up work on your sponsor licence application until a decision is received from the UKVI.

Contact our immigration solicitors in London on 0203 417 3700 or fill in the enquiry form for legal advice and help with the renewal of the sponsor licence.