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10 Apr How can we assist with a sponsor licence and Tier 2 visa application?

Posted on April 10, 2019 in Working in the UK by
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The Tier 2 category of the Points-Based System (PBS) is the primary immigration route for non-European Economic Area (EEA) migrants wishing to work in the UK. A non-EEA migrant must have a sponsor before they can apply to come to, or remain in the UK for employment. A sponsor licence allows a UK company to sponsor non-EEA migrants and offer a job. Please note that an individual person cannot be deemed as a ‘sponsor’ under the Tier 2 scheme.

How to apply for a sponsor licence?

To apply for a licence, you must register your details online by completing the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) ‘Online sponsor application registration’. Once you have registered, you will be able to log in to the UKVI ‘Sponsor application log in’. In addition, you/ your company will need a credit or debit card to pay for the application. The UKVI charges £536 for a small company and £1476 for a large sponsor. Please note that the online sponsor application requires you to give certain responsibilities to members of your staff, some of whom will have access to the sponsorship management system (SMS) after a licence is granted. There are four roles of key personnel: Authorising Officer, Key Contact, Lever 1 User and Level 2 User.

The licence application will need to be supported by mandatory documents and it might also trigger a pre-licence visit from the Home Office to assess that the prospective sponsor is able to discharge its duties in terms of monitoring, recording and reporting the ‘activities’ of the migrants.

After you apply for a sponsor licence

  • You will be given a licence rating if your application is successful.
  • You will be able to issue certificates of sponsorship (CoS) if you wish to recruit non-EEA employees.
  • Your licence will be valid for 4 years. Please note that you may lose your licence if you were not to meet your duties as a sponsor.

 

How can we assist with a sponsor licence?

As part of our corporate service, we conduct a thorough assessment of the company and the candidate’s eligibility under the Tier 2 scheme, our services include but are not limited to the following:

  • Accurate advice in connection with the sponsorship licence process, submission and the documentation required;
  • Comprehensive guidance concerning compliance with the law, along with the sponsor’s duties, responsibilities and potential penalties;
  • Assistance with the advertising campaigns;
  • Help with follow-up assessments following completion of the advertising campaigns;
  • Detailed advice regarding the process, the evidence required for the Leave to Remain and Entry Clearance applications;
  • Preparation and submission of the application bundle on behalf of prospective Tier 2 (General) or Tier 2 ICT;
  • Assistance with miscellaneous immigration concerns.

 

As a sponsor it is essential, that you establish whether a potential sponsored migrant can satisfy the minimum threshold, as well as the general requirements for his/her Entry Clearance/Leave to Remain set out in the Immigration Rules.

What are the criteria for the Tier 2 (General) visa application?

As part of a Tier 2 (General) application, the applicant will need to demonstrate:

  • The suitability for the role;
  • A valid CoS number;
  • An ‘appropriate’ salary for the role;
  • English language requirement- At least CEFR Level B1 or an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognised by UK NARIC as being equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree;
  • The required savings- £945 in the applicant’s bank account for 90 days before they apply, please note that they do not need to satisfy this requirement if their fully approved (A’ rated) sponsor is willing to certify the maintenance.

 

At Migra & Co, we support both employers and individual clients to assist with their global mobility requirements, and we ensure that the process is as fluid as possible eliminating uncertainties and dealing with concerns as soon as they arise.

Contact Our Immigration Team

For expert advice regarding any aspect of the sponsor licence and Tier 2 (General) visa application, please contact our immigration team on 0203 384 3075 or contact us here.

 

The content of this article is for general use and information only. Since each case should be prepared on its own merit and in light of the constant amendments to the Immigration Rules, it is important to note that the information provided must not be relied upon unless Migra & Co has either given written consent or has been officially engaged in relation to a specific immigration matter. As a result, Migra & Co will take no responsibility for any damage, cost or loss resulting from relying on the information contained in this article, blog and website.