Sponsor, Licence & Visas Monthly Newsletter
The Latest Sponsor Guidance Changes
As of 31st December 2024, the Home Office has implemented significant changes to sponsor guidance, emphasising compliance and transparency. Sponsors must cover all fees, including the Sponsor Licence Application Fee, Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Fee and Immigration Skills Charge. Recouping these costs from employees is prohibited and may lead to licence revocation.
Further updates in the sponsor guidance includes the restriction on personal sponsorship, changes to key personnel and employment agency restrictions. We encourage sponsors to promptly review their practices and policies to align with these changes. For a detailed breakdown, read the full blog below.
How can you prioritise compliance as the UK tightens immigration policies?
With a 245% increase in skilled worker sponsor licence suspensions and a 396% rise in revocations reported in 2024, businesses need to take preventative measures to avoid penalties and safeguard their sponsor licence. We encourage sponsors to promptly review their practices and policies to align with these changes.
OISC officially rebranded as the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA)
Effective from 16 January 2025, this change marks a significant milestone in the industry, with the aim to enhance the regulations of UK immigration advice services.
With the increased demand for immigration services, the IAA demonstrates a threefold approach that achieves its mission through regulation, enforcement and promoting best practice across the sector.
Upcoming Immigration Fee Increase
The UK Government plans to significantly increase immigration and nationality fees, impacting both employers and applicants. Here is a rundown of they key figures they have proposed:
CoS fee rising from £239 to £525
Temporary Worker Visas fee increasing from £25 to £55
British Citizenship fee increasing from £1,500 to £1,605
UK ETA maximum fee increasing from £15 to £16
Employers, now is the time to review your financial plans for recruitment and sponsorship. Submitting applications early can help you lock in current rates and avoid rising costs.
Reminder for Skilled Worker sponsors: Recent updates to sponsor guidance prohibit passing the cost of a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the sponsored worker.
High Court Ruling Clarifies CoS Requests for Care Sector
A recent High Court judgement (Hartford Care Group Ltd v Secretary of State for the Home Department, Dec 2024) challenges the Home Office’s approach to care sector sponsorship, specifically its demand for extensive documentation for Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
For more details on this case and its implications, read our full blog post below.
Update to EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Pre-Settled Status Holders
The Home Office will now automatically convert eligible pre-settled status holders to settled status, removing the need for a further application. This new process begins this month and aims to simplify and streamline the path to settled status for thousands of individuals who meet the eligibility criteria.