UK organisations who wish to employ non-British staff need a Sponsor Licence. However, the rating of their Licence is also important, it gives the ability for UK employers to hire non-British staff from within and outside the UK.
What does the Sponsor Licence ratings mean?
The purpose of a Sponsor Licence rating is to demonstrate how compliant the sponsor is. There are two sponsor licence ratings:
A-rating
B-rating
If you hold an A-rating Sponsor Licence, it means you are able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to foreign candidates within and outside the UK. Employers will normally obtain an A-rating if their first application for a sponsor licence is approved, indicating that they have the procedures and systems in place to fulfil their sponsor duties.
If you are downgraded to a B-rating, it means you will not be able to issue any new Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) and you will be unable to sponsor any new candidates from outside the UK. You will, however, still be able to issue a CoS to workers you already employ who want to extend their permission to stay in the UK.
Where can I find my rating?
You can find your rating on the Home Office decision letter once they approve your sponsor licence application. Your rating can also be found on the Register of licenced sponsors: workers.
What if I fall under the B-rating?
Holding a B-rating normally means you have Home Office-reported compliance issues. You’ll need to follow an ‘action plan’ provided by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to upgrade your licence. You’ll have to pay £1,476 for an action plan. This might include making improvements to comply with your Sponsor Licence duties. If the UKVI is satisfied with your action plan, you’ll be upgraded to A-rating. If the UKVI is unsatisfied and suggests you make other improvements, you’ll be given another B-rating and will have to follow a new action plan. You’ll have to pay the fee again. You can only hold B-rating twice in the 4 years that your licence is valid. You’ll lose your licence if you fail the second action plan. If you need assistance in upgrading your rating, please contact Europermitpro.
How can a B-rating be avoided?
The Home Office downgrades a sponsor’s rating as a result of non-compliance. This might include:
– you do not have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with your sponsor duties, or
– have not provided information you held when we asked you to provide it.
If you have a robust HR system in place and comply with sponsor duties, you will avoid being downgraded to a B-rating.
How can Europermitpro help?
At Europermitpro , we provide a bespoke HR system which is designed to comply with Sponsor Licence duties. We work closely with thousands of Sponsor Licence holders to maintain their licence ratings. Contact us today at info@Europermitpro.com