Continuing Your Success Story – Sponsor Licence Renewal Made Easy

If you hold a sponsor licence and want to renew it, you must follow the renewal process outlined by the Home Office. Here are some initial key points to note:

1. Begin the renewal process early: It is important to start the renewal process well in advance of the expiry date of your current sponsor licence. This will give you enough time to gather all the necessary documents and information and submit a complete application.
2. Prepare the required documents: The Home Office will require you to provide certain documents as part of the sponsor licence renewal process. These may include financial statements, evidence of the business’s operations and structure, and a list of the foreign national workers you have sponsored in the past.
3. Submit the renewal application: You can submit a sponsor licence renewal application online through the Home Office’s Sponsor Management System (SMS). You will need to provide all the required documents and information as part of the application.
4. Pay the fee: There is a fee for renewing a sponsor licence, which must be paid at the time of submitting the renewal application. The fee varies depending on the size of your organization.
5. Wait for a decision: After you submit the renewal application, the Home Office will review it and decide whether to grant the renewal. If the renewal is approved, you will receive a new sponsor licence. If the renewal is denied, you will have the opportunity to appeal the decision.

It is important to note that the renewal process can take several weeks or even months, so it is important to start the process early to avoid any disruptions to your business operations.

 

What documents are required for a sponsor licence renewal application

To renew a sponsor licence in the UK, you will need to provide certain documents as part of the renewal application. These may include:

1. Financial statements: You will need to provide financial statements, such as profit and loss statements and balance sheets, to demonstrate the financial stability and viability of your business.
2. Evidence of the business’s operations and structure: You will need to provide evidence of the nature and scope of your business, such as details about the products or services you offer and the size of your organization.
3. A list of the foreign national workers you have sponsored in the past: You will need to provide a list of all the foreign national workers you have sponsored in the past, including their names, nationalities, and job titles.
4. A statement of intent: You will need to provide a statement outlining your plans for sponsoring foreign national workers in the future, including the types of roles you plan to sponsor and the number of foreign national workers you expect to sponsor.
5. Evidence of the business’s ability to comply with sponsorship duties: You will need to provide evidence that your business is able to comply with its sponsorship duties, including keeping accurate records and reporting any changes to sponsored workers’ circumstances.
6. A valid identification document: You will need to provide a valid identification document, such as a passport or national identity card, as part of the renewal application.

It is important to note that this is just a general list of documents that may be required as part of a sponsor licence renewal application. The specific documents you need to provide will depend on the nature and size of your business and the type of sponsorship you are seeking.

 

Our top tips for gathering and organising sponsor licence renewal documents to ensure a smooth and efficient renewal process

Here are some tips for gathering and organizing sponsor licence renewal documents to ensure a smooth and efficient renewal process:

1. Make a checklist: Create a checklist of all the documents you will need to provide as part of the renewal application. This will help you keep track of what you have and what you still need to gather.
2. Gather documents in advance: Start gathering the required documents well in advance of the renewal deadline. This will give you plenty of time to locate any missing documents and ensure that you have everything you need.
3. Keep accurate records: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of your business’s operations and the foreign national workers you have sponsored in the past. This will make it easier to compile the required information and documents for the renewal application.
4. Use a filing system: Use a filing system to organize the documents you will need for the renewal application. This could be a physical filing cabinet or an electronic system, such as a folder on your computer.
5. Label and date the documents: Label and date each document you gather for the renewal application. This will help you easily identify the documents you need and ensure that you are using the most current versions.
6. Review the documents before submitting: Carefully review all the documents you have gathered before submitting the renewal application. Make sure that you have provided all the required information and that the documents are accurate and up-to-date.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that the sponsor licence renewal process goes smoothly and efficiently.

 

Eligibility for sponsor licence renewal

To be eligible to renew a sponsor licence, an organization must:

1. Have held a valid sponsor licence for at least 12 months
2. Have met all of its sponsorship obligations, including reporting any changes to sponsored migrants’ circumstances and paying the Immigration Skills Charge
3. Not have had its sponsor licence suspended or revoked

If an organization meets these eligibility requirements, it can apply to renew its sponsor licence.

CGM is a corporate immigration application for expats, sponsoring companies and business immigration advisors. Feel free to contact us on 0300 000 000 or send us an email if you have any questions. 

The Home Office’s review process

The Home Office’s review process for renewing a sponsor licence for a UK business is similar to the process for obtaining a new sponsor licence.

When reviewing a sponsor licence renewal application, the Home Office will assess whether the business meets the criteria for a sponsor licence and whether it has complied with its sponsorship duties in the past. This may involve verifying the information and documents provided as part of the renewal application, such as financial statements and evidence of the business’s operations and structure.

If the Home Office determines that the business meets the criteria for a sponsor licence and has complied with its sponsorship duties, the renewal application will be approved and the business will receive a new sponsor licence. If the renewal application is denied, the business will have the opportunity to appeal the decision.

It is important to note that the renewal process can take several weeks or even months, so it is important to start the process early to avoid any disruptions to your business operations.

the appeal is unsuccessful, the organization will need to reapply for a sponsor licence.

 

How much does it cost?

The cost of renewing a sponsor licence in the UK depends on the size of your organization. The current fees for renewing a sponsor licence are as follows:

• Small sponsors (organizations with an annual turnover of less than £10.2 million and fewer than 50 employees): £536
• Medium sponsors (organizations with an annual turnover of £10.2 million or more or 50 or more employees): £1,476

It is important to note that these fees are subject to change and may be revised periodically by the Home Office. It is a good idea to check the Home Office’s website for the most up-to-date fees before submitting a renewal application.

In addition to the sponsor licence renewal fee, you may also be required to pay a fee for each foreign national worker you sponsor. The current fee for each sponsored worker is £199.

It is important to budget for these fees when planning for the sponsor licence renewal process to ensure that you have the necessary funds to cover the costs.

You will need to make payment when submitting your application online. Payment can be made via debit or credit card, PayPal, or a UK bank transfer. If you choose to pay via bank transfer, make sure you use the unique reference number provided to ensure your payment is correctly processed.
If your application is successful, your licence will not be issued until payment has been received. It’s therefore important to ensure that your payment is made in good time, otherwise your application may be delayed.

Failure to pay the correct fees could result in your application being refused. Make sure you read through all the relevant information and carefully calculate how much you will need to pay before submitting your renewal application.

 

Will the business be interviewed as part of a sponsor licence renewal process?

It is possible that the Home Office may request an interview with the business as part of the sponsor licence renewal process. Interviews are typically conducted by a caseworker from the Home Office’s sponsor licensing team.

The purpose of the interview is to verify the information provided in the renewal application and to assess the business’s ability to comply with its sponsorship duties. The interview may cover topics such as the business’s operations, the types of roles it plans to sponsor, and the number of foreign national workers it expects to sponsor.

It is important to note that not all sponsor licence renewal applications will result in an interview. The Home Office may request an interview if it has questions or concerns about the renewal application or if it needs additional information to make a decision.

If the Home Office does request an interview as part of the renewal process, it is important to be prepared and to provide accurate and complete information. This will help ensure that the renewal process goes smoothly and efficiently.

It is important to be prepared for the interview. You should make sure you have all the required documentation and be able to provide clear, concise answers. It is also important to show that you understand the responsibilities of a sponsor and that you can meet them.

Your representative from your organisation should also be present during the interview to answer any additional questions. The interview will typically last between 45 minutes and an hour.

It is important to remember that even if you do not attend the interview, your application will still be assessed. However, the decision may take longer, as the assessor will need to review more evidence without interviewing you.

Ultimately, attending an interview is a great opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to fulfilling your sponsorship obligations, so it is advisable to take advantage of it if required.

How long will a decision take

Once you have submitted your sponsor licence renewal application and all the required documentation, it’s time to wait for a decision. The Home Office can take up to 8 weeks to process an application, so it is important to plan ahead and start the renewal process early.

When the Home Office has made their decision on your application, they will send you an email informing you of the outcome. If your application is successful, you will receive a new licence that is valid for 4 years. If there are any issues with your application, they will contact you with further information and instructions.

It is important to remember that while waiting for a decision, you are still legally responsible for the sponsored migrants under your current sponsor licence until you receive a new one. Therefore, it is important to ensure that all your reporting obligations are met and that all sponsored migrants are compliant with their visa conditions.

If your renewal application is unsuccessful, the Home Office will provide further information as to why this was the case and what steps you need to take to rectify the issue. You also have the right to appeal the decision within 28 days of receiving the refusal letter.

CGM is a corporate immigration application for expats, sponsoring companies and business immigration advisors. Feel free to contact us on 0300 000 000 or send us an email if you have any questions. 

If a sponsor licence renewal application is refused what is the appeal process

If a sponsor licence renewal application is refused by the Home Office, the business has the right to appeal the decision. The appeal process allows the business to challenge the refusal and present evidence and arguments in support of its case.

The first step in the appeal process is to request an internal review of the decision. This involves asking the Home Office to reconsider the refusal and providing additional evidence or arguments to support the renewal application.

If the internal review results in a negative decision, the business has the right to appeal the decision to the independent First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). This is a judicial body that hears appeals against decisions made by the Home Office in immigration and asylum cases.

To appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal, the business must submit an appeal form and any supporting evidence to the Tribunal within 28 days of the negative decision from the internal review. The Tribunal will then consider the appeal and issue a decision.

It is important to note that the appeal process can be complex and time-consuming. It is a good idea to seek legal advice if you are considering appealing a refused sponsor licence renewal application.

In order to appeal the decision, you will need to provide evidence in support of your case. You can appeal based on a number of grounds such as administrative error or failure to comply with immigration rules. Make sure to provide clear and detailed reasons for why you believe the Home Office has made a wrong decision.

You will also need to provide supporting evidence such as documents that demonstrate you meet the eligibility criteria and have met all the requirements for a successful Sponsor Licence renewal. It’s also important to provide any documents that may refute any adverse information held against your organisation.

The Home Office will review your appeal and make a decision. You may also be required to attend an interview as part of the appeals process.

It’s important to remember that the appeals process can take some time, so make sure you start it as soon as possible if you wish to continue sponsoring workers from outside the UK.

How we can help

CGM App is an end to end immigration software, designed for expats, employers and immigration consultants (all over the world), that help to fine tune the process and scale of global business immigration for each user. 
Visit cgmpartners.org.uk/register for more information.

Sponsor Licence Renewal FAQS

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