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New rules for sponsor licence applicants

This month saw the publication of new sponsor guidance for Tiers 2 & 5, containing key changes to the way in which sponsor licence holders comply with the UK immigration rules.

Below, the second instalment of our four-part summary unpicks the new requirements for any UK employer applying for a sponsor licence.

Sponsor licence applications

Any UK employer wishing to apply for the right to employ Tier 2 migrant workers should look out for the following guidance amendments:

  • The new guidance confirms that the Home Office has the right to refer any information obtained during a sponsor licence application to HM Revenue and Customs.
  • Assessing a potential sponsor’s ability to provide genuine employment has officially become part of the suitability criteria, against which all sponsor licence applications are assessed.
  • Visiting Immigration Officers now have the right to take photos of your business premises in order to investigate information given as part of your sponsor licence application.
  • Sponsors must now provide the Home Office with the National Insurance number of each of their key personnel (if applicable) when applying for a sponsor licence, when changing key personnel or when adding new ones.

If you are looking to employ one or more skilled non-EU nationals, your organisation will need to apply for a Tier 2 sponsor licence.

Speak to Smith Stone Walters today to ensure that your application has the best chance of success.

Read more on the new sponsor guidance for Tiers 2 & 5:

Part one: Key changes for UK sponsors

Part three: Clearer rules for sponsors: mergers and acquisitions

Part four: New sponsor guidance expands licence revocation rules


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