Why a Sponsor Licence is essential for Care Companies

• Legal Requirement: A valid Sponsor Licence from the Home Office is mandatory for care providers to employ skilled overseas workers lawfully.
• Access to Global Talent: With a Sponsor Licence, care companies can recruit professionals worldwide, filling shortages in critical roles.
• Shortage Occupation List: Positions such as Senior Care Workers, Registered Nurses, and Healthcare Assistants fall under the Shortage Occupation List, simplifying the hiring process for overseas candidates
• Enhanced Care Standards: Bringing in well-trained international staff supports higher-quality care services and better patient outcomes.

Eligibility Criteria for obtaining a Sponsor Licence

To successfully obtain a Sponsor Licence for your care company, you must demonstrate:

• Legitimate Operation in the UK: Your business must be registered as a care provider, nursing home, or home care agency.
• Robust HR Systems: Effective internal processes for monitoring sponsored employees, including their absences, job changes, and visa end dates.
• Compliance History: A clean track record with no major violations of UK employment or immigration laws.
• Genuine Vacancy: Clear evidence that you need to fill roles (on the Shortage Occupation List or otherwise eligible) with skilled international staff.

Steps to Apply for a Sponsor Licence in the Care Sector

To successfully obtain a Sponsor Licence for your care company, you must demonstrate:

• Gather Essential Documents:
  • Certificate of Incorporation or proof of company registration
  • Evidence of premises (lease or ownership documents)
  • Evidence of registration with the Care Quality Commission
  • Financial records (e.g., audited accounts or bank statements)
  • HR policies outlining how you’ll manage and monitor sponsored workers
• Assign Key Personnel
  • Authorising Officer: The individual accountable for the organisation’s actions in relation to the licence
  • Key Contact: Primary liaison with the Home Office
  • Level 1 User: Responsible for daily operations in the Sponsor Management System (SMS)
• Submit Your Online Application
  • Complete the online Sponsor Licence application via the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) portal and pay the relevant fee, which varies based on your company’s size.
• Home Office Compliance Visit
  • The Home Office may conduct a pre-application compliance audit to verify your HR systems, documentation, and capacity to fulfil Sponsor Licence obligations.
• Sponsor Licence Approval
  • If granted, your Sponsor Licence is typically valid for four years. You’ll then be able to issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to qualified international candidates so they can apply for a Health & Care Worker visas or Skilled Worker Visa.

Typical Timeframes for the Sponsor Licence Process

• Application Review Period: The standard processing time for a Sponsor Licence application is usually up to 8 weeks. However, the Home Office may extend this period if they require additional documentation or decide to carry out a more in-depth review.
• Priority Service: In some cases, you may be able to use a priority service for faster processing (often 10 working days). This service has limited availability and requires an additional fee.

Note: During high-volume periods or if the Home Office requests further information, the timeline may be longer. Always submit your application well in advance of any planned recruitment to avoid delays.

Costs Associated with a Sponsor Licence

The fee structure for obtaining a Sponsor Licence depends on your business size:

•  Small or Charitable Organisations: £536
• Medium or Large Organisations: £1,476

Other potential expenses include:

• Immigration Skills Charge: A per-year, per-employee charge for sponsored workers.
• Visa Application Fees: Your sponsored employees will have their own Skilled Worker Visa fees and healthcare surcharge obligations

What to Do If Your Sponsor Licence Application Is Refused

Although many Sponsor Licence applications are approved, refusals can happen due to insufficient documentation, non-compliance with sponsor requirements, or inaccuracies in the application. If your application is refused:

• Review the Refusal Letter: Carefully read the Home Office refusal letter. It should detail the reasons your application did not meet the requirements.
• Address the Issues: Evaluate each reason for refusal, ensure you correct any inaccuracies, improve HR systems if needed, and gather missing or updated documentation.
• Consider a Fresh Application: Depending on the complexity of the refusal, you may need to reapply. There is typically a cooling-off period of up to 6 months before you can submit a new application if your licence is refused.
• Seek Professional Advice: At Gateway Immigration Services, ourimmigration experts can guide you on addressing the Home Office concerns and improving your chances of a successful application next time.

Compliance Obligations for Care Companies

Once you obtain a Sponsor Licence, you must maintain strict compliance:

• Record-Keeping & Reporting
  • Retain robust HR records for each sponsored worker, including contact information, contract details, and job duties.
  • Report changes such as job promotions, salary adjustments, and resignations to the Home Office within 10 working days.
• Monitoring and Oversight
  • Track sponsored employees’ attendance, absences, and visa validity.
  • Ensure workers adhere to their Skilled Worker Visa conditions
• Continued registratiion with the Care Quality Commission
  • Maintain a valid ongoing registration with the Care Qaulity Commission, authorising you to provide care services

Failure to comply can result in penalties, suspension, or even revocation of your Sponsor Licence.

Common Challenges When Applying for a Sponsor Licence

Once you obtain a Sponsor Licence, you must maintain strict compliance:

• Incomplete Documentation: Missing or incorrect files can delay your application or lead to a refusal.
• Weak HR Compliance: Inadequate systems for tracking sponsored workers can undermine your credibility.
• Misunderstanding Sponsor Duties: Many care providers underestimate the compliance obligations linked to a Sponsor Licence.