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When you apply for a sponsor licence and your application is approved, you will get an A-rated licence. With an A-rated sponsor licence, you can assign a CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) to any worker or temporary worker. If UKVI downgrades your licence to a B-rating following suspension, you will not be able to assign new CoS to any workers until your licence is reinstated to an A-rating. Only an A-rated sponsor licence holder’s business is registered in the register of sponsors.
What is an A-rated sponsor licence?
UKVI will grant you an A-rated sponsor licence if you, as a UK business or organisation hiring foreign workers, meet the requirements for sponsoring eligible overseas workers under UK immigration rules.
An A-rated sponsor licence allows you to:
• Sponsor overseas workers under work routes such as the Skilled Worker visa
• Assign a CoS to an eligible worker/temporary worker so they can apply for the appropriate UK work/temporary work visa
• Continue sponsoring existing workers while complying with Home Office sponsorship requirements
• Demonstrate sponsor licence compliance.
How to maintain an A-rated sponsor licence?
The Home Office mandates you as a licensed sponsor to fulfil your sponsorship duties if you wish to maintain an A-rated UK sponsor licence. Sponsorship duties include monitoring and maintaining accurate records of sponsored workers to ensure they comply with the conditions attached to their immigration permission. If you fail to meet your responsibilities as a sponsor, you will usually have your licence downgraded, suspended, or revoked.
You can maintain an A-rated sponsor licence by doing the following:
1. Keep accurate records of each sponsored worker
You, as part of sponsorship duties, must keep accurate records for every sponsored worker, which include but are not limited to their contact details (residential address, telephone number, and email address), immigration status, evidence of their right to work in the UK, and other documents required by the Home Office. All records must be maintained in accordance with Appendix D of the sponsor guidance.
2. Report changes within the specified time limits
You must report relevant changes relating to sponsored workers or your organisation to UKVI using the SMS (Sponsorship Management System).
For example:
– If there are any relevant changes in a sponsored worker’s circumstances, you must report them generally within 10 working days. For example, if a worker is absent without permission for more than 10 consecutive working days or if a sponsored worker’s salary or pay falls below the level stated on their CoS
– If there are any relevant changes to your organisation, you must report them generally within 20 working days. For example, change of business address, business name, business structure or key personnel (Authorising Officer or Key Contact), any merger or takeover, or change in ownership
Specific reporting requirements and exceptions may apply, so you should check the relevant Home Office guidance.
3. Conduct each sponsored worker’s Right-to-work checks
You must ensure that every employee you are hiring has the legal right to work in the UK and is permitted to undertake the work in question. Keep the evidence of these checks as needed and monitor immigration permission where necessary.
You must discontinue employing workers who are no longer legally entitled to do the work.
4. Maintain effective HR systems
Make sure you have appropriate HR systems as required to monitor:
• Workers’ immigration status and permission expiry dates.
• Attendance and unexplained absences.
• Employee contact details.
• Right-to-work checks.
• Changes in job roles, salary and working arrangements.
• Reporting deadlines and record-keeping requirements.
Assign responsibility for these tasks to suitable staff and make sure they understand their duties.
5. Keep the Sponsorship Management System updated
Ensure your SMS users and key personnel remain eligible, and their details are accurate. Remove access when a user leaves the organisation or is no longer eligible.
Important change in requirement: The Home Office updated sponsor guidance to reflect that, from 9 September 2026, Level 2 Users can no longer be appointed, and after 8 March 2027, the Level 2 role will be abolished. Check the latest guidance for the applicable requirements.
6. Be prepared for Home Office compliance visits
UKVI may conduct announced or unannounced compliance checks. It may inspect your records, HR systems, recruitment practices and business premises, and interview sponsored workers or relevant employees.
You should:
• Keep records organised and accessible.
• Ensure the information provided to the Home Office is accurate.
• Train relevant HR staff and managers.
• Cooperate with lawful compliance checks and provide requested documents within the specified deadlines.
• Review your procedures regularly and correct identified weaknesses promptly.
Summary
You must maintain an A-rated sponsor licence after having obtained one to sponsor new workers. If your licence is downgraded to a B-rating, usually following a suspension, you will generally be required to follow a time-limited sponsorship action plan and pay the applicable fee. The plan sets out the steps you must take to regain an A-rating.
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