The sponsor licence renewal process usually begins three months before your current licence expires. Sponsors will receive a reminder from the UKVI. To renew: Ensure that your company’s details are up-to-date on the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). Pay the appropriate renewal fee. Ensure compliance with any changes in sponsorship duties or requirements since your last application. If successful, the renewed licence typically lasts for another four years.

Sponsor licence compliance refers to the set of duties and responsibilities that an organization must adhere to once they’ve obtained a sponsor licence. This includes: Keeping accurate records of sponsored employees. Reporting certain changes or activities to the UKVI. Ensuring sponsored employees have the necessary qualifications and work within the job role specified on their Certificate of Sponsorship.

The frequency of compliance audits by the UKVI can vary. If your organization is new or has previously breached its duties, you may be audited more often. Generally, sponsors should always be prepared for a potential audit and ensure they’re consistently compliant with their duties

 After submitting a sponsor licence application, you can check its status through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS), where you initially applied. It’s essential to note that processing times can vary, but most decisions are made within 8 weeks.

Yes, the UKVI can suspend a sponsor licence if they believe the sponsor is not complying with their duties or if there are suspicions of abuse of the system. Common reasons for suspension include failing to report significant changes or not keeping accurate records of sponsored employees.