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Unlocking Opportunities, Navigating Compliance

At Ward Hadaway, we understand that navigating the complex world of immigration law can be challenging for businesses. That’s why we’re here to simplify the process for you.

Our team of seasoned immigration lawyers specialises in securing business sponsor licences, helping you unlock opportunities and ensure compliance. With a deep understanding of immigration rules, a proven track record, and personalised strategies, we’re your trusted partner every step of the way.

Discover why businesses choose us to streamline their immigration needs.

 

 

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    Why choose us?

    1

    Legal Experts in Immigration Law

    Our experienced immigration lawyers specialise in business sponsor licences. With a deep understanding of immigration rules, we'll guide you through the process efficiently and effectively.

    2

    Proven Track Record

    We take pride in our track record of helping businesses secure sponsor licences with a remarkable 100% approval rate.

    3

    Streamlined Process

    We understand that time is of the essence. Our streamlined processes ensure that you receive your sponsor licence as quickly as possible

    Find out more

    Frequently asked questions

    What is a sponsor licence?

    A sponsor licence is required in order for employers to recruit individuals from outside the UK who do not otherwise have the right to work in the UK.

    Employers can obtain a sponsor licence to sponsor a Skilled Worker to be a UK based employee or to transfer workers to the UK for a short term contract under the Global Business Mobility routes. Sponsor licences are also needed to sponsor workers temporarily under a Temporary Worker licence.

    An employer with a valid sponsor licence agrees to sponsor an individual that is working for them and will have strict compliance conditions that they must adhere to whilst they remain a registered sponsor.

    Who do I need a sponsor licence for?

    An employer must have a sponsor licence to sponsor any individual who is not a “settled worker” or who does not otherwise have the appropriate immigration permission to work in the UK.

    A settled worker is a person who is:

    • A British citizen
    • A person with pre-settled status or settled status granted under the EU Settlement Scheme
    • A British overseas territories citizen (except for those from sovereign base areas in Cyprus)
    • A Commonwealth citizen with a UK Ancestry route visa or with the right of abode in the UK
    • Anyone who has indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK or is otherwise settled within the meaning of section 33(2A) of the Immigration Act 1971)
    • An Irish citizen

    An individual will have appropriate immigration permission which allows them to work in the UK if they have:

    • Permission as the partner of a British citizen or a settled person
    • Permission as a dependent of someone who is in the UK with a valid visa
    • Permission under a student visa and their conditions of stay permit them to work for a certain number of hours per week during term-time

    This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure whether an individual has appropriate immigration permission to work for you in the UK, please contact us to discuss this further.

    Anyone who does not fall into one of the above categories will require a visa to live and work in the UK.

    What is the average time frame to gain sponsorship?

    Most applications (8 out of 10) are dealt with in less than 8 weeks. This can take longer if UKVI need to carry out a compliance visit before dealing with your application, for example to check your HR systems and processes, visit your business premises and so on, or have additional queries in light of their interpretation of your original on line submission and supporting documents.

    Can this process be expedited?

    In some circumstances yes.  There is a priority processing service for sponsor licence applications which you can apply to use.  There is an additional fee to pay of £500 and the outcome should be received within 10 working days.  There is no guarantee however that your application will be eligible for the priority service.

    How much is the sponsor licence application fee?

    A sponsor licence is granted for four years and must be renewed thereafter. There are initial fees to pay as part of the application process which vary depending on the size of the business. If you have an annual turnover of £10.2 million or less and employ fewer than 50 employees, the fee is currently £536. If you do not satisfy these criteria, the fee is currently £1,476.

    There are additional fees to be paid including the Immigration Skills Charge and when assigning a CoS.

    If you are applying for sponsorship for the first time, we recommend that you take advice on the application process. If the application is refused your fees will not be refunded. There is also a cooling off period of six months for reapplying if your application is rejected so getting it wrong can be costly and it will delay your plans for recruitment.

    What is the Sponsor Management System (SMS)?

    This is the online system that sponsors are given access to when the licence is granted. You can update on any changes to circumstances as well as applying for and assigning Certificates of Sponsorship using this system.

    If you require assistance with the SMS, we offer a Sponsor Management Service.

    Have peace of mind from as little as £200 per month

    Let our business immigration experts take away that risk and strain by being named as Legal Representative on your sponsor licence, as well as having day-to-day involvement as a Level 1 User of the Sponsor Management System.

    Our service includes:

    • Submitting reports to UKVI via the SMS in relation to:
      • sponsored migrants, including absences, termination of employment, salary changes
      • key personnel, including changes to named personnel and contact details
      • the organisation, including changes to contact details, size and structure
    • Preparing and submitting applications for renewal of undefined Certificates of Sponsorship
    • Preparing and submitting applications for renewal of the sponsor licence
    • Access to guidance for sponsors on key personnel, record keeping and reporting duties
    • Preferential pricing on training packages and immigration audits
    • Updates on matters affecting your sponsor licence

    Case Studies

    Colourful mosaic pattern

    New sponsor licence for care home operator

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    New sponsor licence for care home operator

    The process of applying for and being granted a sponsor licence is the same, no matter the sector and no matter the size of the company.  Notwithstanding this, the use of sponsored visas for workers in the care sector has attracted media attention and is under close scrutiny.  We are able to utilise our vast experience of working in the sector to advise on pre-licence compliance checks, recommend trustworthy recruitment agencies and ensure that minimum salaries and skill levels are being met for the roles to be sponsored.

    We were instructed by a care home operator based in the Midlands with 13 care homes across England to assist with its application to become a sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa.  The sponsorship route provides an alternative source of recruitment and the opportunity to reduce reliance and spend on agency workers.  This client had nearly 70 vacant roles at the time we started working with them and was initially looking to sponsor Care Assistants to fill some of these vacancies.  Initially we considered the roles to be sponsored and advised on their eligibility.  We went on to advise the client on the sponsor licence application process, required documentation and prepared draft documents for the client’s review.  We helped with submitting the application and subsequently securing the priority service to expedite the grant of the sponsor licence.

    The client has since gone on to use the sponsor licence to sponsor Nurses as well as Care Assistants with great success and retention and we have provided the individuals responsible for managing the licence with training to upskill them and ensure compliance with the immigration rules.

     

    Complicated corporate structure requires two licences for hospitality group company

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    Complicated corporate structure requires two licences for hospitality group company

    Recruitment in the hospitality sector has been particularly challenging following Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic leaving significant skills shortages and many businesses struggling to recruit experienced, talented chefs.  We were instructed by a corporate group with a portfolio of pubs with rooms across the North of England to support them with the recruitment of skilled Chefs from overseas.

    Initially, this project required us to obtain a sponsor licence for the group of companies.  Having considered the corporate structure, property portfolio, management structure and risk, our advice was to apply for two sponsor licences, covering different group companies.  We then proceeded with two applications, one for 5 group companies and one for 34 group companies.

    Due to the size of the licence requests, it was recommended that the client provided additional supporting documents with the applications, over and above the standard requirement from UK Visas & Immigration.  Prior to completion we collated and reviewed accounts, bank statements, food hygiene ratings and more in order to satisfy UKVI that each business within the group satisfied the strict requirements to be granted a sponsor licence.

    With the structure of the sponsor licence application being more complicated than is standard, we prepared a detailed cover letter to submit to UKVI alongside the application setting out the key information for clarity.

    As a number of the group’s pubs were due to open in the coming months, we sought to expedite the sponsor licence applications and following submission, were able to secure priority processing for the applications with the effect that they were granted within c.2 weeks as opposed to the standard c.8 weeks.

    We have worked with a third party recruitment agency to support the group with the recruitment of more than 40 chefs and in addition to providing advice and consultancy to the business, by being named on the sponsor licences as the Legal Representative and Level 1 Users, we are able to carry out day to day tasks on their sponsor licences for them such as applying for and assigning Certificates of Sponsorship and amending sponsored employees’ details, helping to take the burden away from HR and Management and ensure that matters are dealt with swiftly and in line with UKVI requirements.

    Licence application following takeover

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    Licence application following takeover

    We are often called upon by businesses struggling to recruit into particularly hard to fill roles and this is often the case in the life sciences sector.

    A long standing client in the pharmaceutical industry had two Skilled Worker sponsor licences, held by two different companies in the group, which we had previously obtained for them.  These licences were predominantly used to sponsor individuals in regulatory affairs and quality assurance roles.

    As part of a confidential project, we advised the group on the steps to be taken to continue to sponsor their employees following a takeover of the group.  A change in corporate structure can often trigger the requirement to apply for a new sponsor licence and this was the case here.  Preparation for the new licence application was done before the purchase to enable us to move quickly and contact UK Visas & Immigration on behalf of our client on the day of the purchase to inform them of the same.  We were then able to submit the new sponsor licence application quickly and within the 20 working day deadline imposed by UK Visas & Immigration and provide detailed information regarding the circumstances of the new application and the sponsored workers who we were transferring to the new licence.

    Following the grant of the new licence we assisted the client with making their old licences dormant, reporting the changes and transfer of sponsored workers on the new licence and continue to support them with day to day management.

    What our clients say

    • I am grateful for your meticulous work in creating the application and submitting all the necessary supporting documents. Because of your hard work, the application was approved in a matter of days. Thank you again for your support and assistance, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavours!

      Client Quote

    • With Natalie Payne's help, we were able to complete a spouse visa application successfully in 2021 despite its complexity and a subsequent successful extension in 2023. She has been quite professional and timely in examining and offering her conclusions and recommendations. We are grateful for all of her insightful immigration counsel and her diligent work on each of our visa applications.

      Client Quote

    • What I like about Ward Hadaway LLP is their straightforward quality advice and approach. They are not a ‘stuffy’ firm and work with clients to build relationships and understand their business. They also have good sector knowledge without our industry.

      Legal 500

    • Flora Mewies is an exceptional immigration advisor, always at hand to give excellent advice at a moments notice, if she is unable to reply immediately then she will set expectations on timing of replies or ask one of her colleagues to assist.

      Client Quote