Sponsor Compliance: Your Responsibilities as a Sponsor Licence Holder

Holding a sponsor licence comes with important responsibilities. It’s not just about employing skilled workers , it’s also about ensuring ongoing compliance with the Home Office’s strict rules and expectations. Failing to meet these duties can result in your licence being downgraded, suspended, or even revoked.

At Sincere Immigration, we help businesses navigate the complex sponsor compliance rules, giving you confidence and peace of mind throughout your sponsorship journey.

What Is Sponsor Compliance?

Sponsor compliance is the ongoing responsibility of all businesses that hold a sponsor licence under the UK Points-Based Immigration System. The Home Office expects sponsors to play an active role in managing and monitoring their sponsored workers, ensuring immigration laws are upheld and records are kept up to date.

Your Core Duties as a Sponsor

As a licensed sponsor, you must:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for each sponsored worker (passport, visa, contact details, employment contract, right to work checks, etc.).
• Report changes to both your business and your sponsored employees (e.g. job title, salary, absences, resignation) within the required timeframe using the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
• Monitor immigration compliance by ensuring sponsored workers only do the job they’re sponsored for and meet all visa conditions.
• Cooperate fully with the Home Office, including allowing site visits and audits.
• Comply with UK employment laws, including minimum wage, working hours, and tax obligations.

Key Personnel: Authorising Officer & Key Contact

When applying for a sponsor licence, your organisation must nominate key personnel to take on specific roles, these individuals play a vital part in maintaining compliance:

Authorising Officer (AO)

• The most senior person responsible for recruitment and/or HR within your organisation.
• Holds ultimate responsibility for the sponsor licence and ensuring your business complies with all sponsorship duties.
• Must be based in the UK and usually be involved in day-to-day operations.

Key Contact

• Acts as the main point of contact between your organisation and the Home Office.
• Receives official correspondence and updates about your licence.
• Should be accessible and responsive to Home Office communications and requests.

These roles should not be taken lightly, choosing the right personnel and providing them with proper training is crucial to long-term compliance.

Common Reasons for Sponsor Non-Compliance

Sponsors may face penalties or licence revocation for issues such as:

• Failure to keep records up to date
• Inadequate procedures in place to carry out right to work checks
• Late or inaccurate reporting through the SMS
• Allowing sponsored workers to take on duties outside their approved job description
• Not paying the correct salary threshold
• Lack of evidence of a genuine vacancy or recruitment process
• Poor communication between the sponsor and the Home Office

How We Can Support Your Business

At Sincere Immigration, we provide practical, hands-on guidance to help you stay compliant and avoid unnecessary penalties:

• Full compliance checks and audits
• Onboarding and guidance for Authorising Officers, Level 1 Users and Key Contacts
• Advice on role-specific job descriptions and salary levels
• Support in preparing for Home Office visits
• Assistance with sponsor licence renewals, suspensions, or revocations

Need help managing your sponsor duties?

Book a free 30-minute consultation with one of our sponsor compliance experts today.

Let’s make your sponsorship journey smooth, secure, and fully compliant.