Tier 2 & Tier 5 Certificate of Sponsorship
A Certificate of Sponsorship was previously known as a work permit. It can be allocated by an employer, an authorising officer or in some cases even a representative (a level 1 user) having access to the sponsorship management system and residing in the UK to an employee forming their Tier 2/4 visa application.
Once granted, an employer will also be given a reference number. The candidate can then apply for permission to enter or stay in the UK. However, an applicant cannot apply to enter the UK for more than 3 months prior to their employment start date.
What does a Certificate of Sponsorship entail?
Possessing a certificate of sponsorship guarantees Home Office approval for entering or staying in the UK. The applicant must also meet the requirements of the relevant tier or category.
Applicants for the certificate of sponsorship who are already residing in the UK will need to be aware of the effect their current immigration status may have on their application.
The validity of a Certificate of Sponsorship
Any certificate of sponsorship is valid for a period of 3 months from the date of the issue under a Tier 2 or Tier 5 visa. If the applicant no longer wishes to take the employment role, they will be required to contact their sponsor to withdraw the offer.
Once a Certificate of Sponsorship is issued, a sponsor is held fully responsible for the actions of the employee. Non-compliance of the rules may result in either the withdrawal of the certificate or demoting the sponsor to a lesser rank.
Our Services
West London immigration Services offers the same expert assistance and guidance in this area of work-related immigration, as we do for the other categories of immigration. Our services include the following:
- Assistance with the task of Sponsor Registration, ensuring wherever possible that an employer is awarded an A-rating from the start, and that they are given the maximum reasonable “quota”. This process includes an initial compliance audit relating to the employer’s HR systems and procedures. The processes and materials that we use are designed to be as efficient as possible in helping clients ensure that they meet the requirements set out by the Home Office under the Points-Based System.
- Administration of the Sponsor Management System (SMS), on behalf of the employer. This includes keeping accurate records of all issued certificates of sponsorship, and of all information provided through the SMS to the Home Office. West London Immigration Services will update all relevant details as we are informed of them, and flag up any mistakes or discrepancies, before these cause any problems with the Home Office.
- Administering the issuing of Certificates of Sponsorship on behalf of the Sponsor, in line with the above, general administration of the SMS. This involves checking the situation meets current guidance, making a case for each certificate, and making checks as necessary on the documentary evidence available to confirm a person’s qualifications and/or work experience. It is also necessary for supporting documentation to be collated and kept on file, ready for inspection as and when required by the Border Agency.
- Important updates and comments (as necessary) provided to clients regarding specific areas of compliance which the Border Agency have identified or focused on.
- Guidance documents and updates to be issued to all line managers of sponsored staff, or HR Officers to ensure that the right issues are reported to the Border Agency in a timely fashion.
- Periodic checks on the status of migrants, to ensure, (in case of the failure of a line manager to report something relevant) if any piece of information needs to be updated through the SMS, this takes place swiftly.
If you would like to receive professional and reliable assistance to help your business gain maximum benefit from the new system, while remaining compliant, West London Immigration Services would be very pleased to assist you.
We are also able to offer services to employers who have already applied to become registered sponsors.