Sponsor Licence Applications
and the Post-Brexit Immigration System

On 19 February 2020 the government confirmed changes to the UK immigration system which will take effect from 1 January 2021.  Full details can be found in our alert: Government confirms changes to the UK immigration system from 1 January next year.  EU citizens residing in the UK by 31 December 2020 will have until 30 June 2021 to register under the EU Settlement Scheme.  For further details see: Brexit - What EU citizens living in the UK need to know.
 

Why do UK employers need to apply for a sponsor licence now?

For EU citizens arriving in the UK from 1 January 2021, they will be subject to new UK immigration rules.  EU citizens will be able to visit the UK for up to 6 months but will not be permitted to work, much the same as is currently the case for non-EU citizens.  Where employers wish to recruit those who are coming to work in the UK in a skilled job, they will need to submit an application to sponsor them under the new system, currently called Tier 2.  However, prior to being able to sponsor an EU citizen recruit, employers must have in place a sponsor licence.  The sponsor licence can also be used to recruit non-EU citizens.

Given the significance of the changes from 1 January 2021, we anticipate a rush of sponsor licence applications from employers who will need to recruit skilled EU workers from the start of next year.  As a leading immigration team, we are able to assist you in this process to make it as streamlined and simple as possible.  We have many years’ experience in helping all companies, from start-ups to global organisations, apply for a sponsor licence.  A key aspect of the sponsor licence application process is ensuring that you understand the compliance responsibilities entailed in holding a sponsor licence, not least because at some stage the Home Office will attend your offices to carry out a compliance check. 

Our services and experience include:

• Dealing with a Home Office Compliance Visit
• Staying Compliant under the Points Based System

• Sponsoring and Hiring Foreign Nationals

As a full service law firm, we are also able to assist with any advice you require for other matters such as employment, company and commercial, property, tax and regulatory.

Seminar event

As soon as possible we hope to hold a seminar for employers who have not yet applied for a sponsor licence.  We will explain the changes to the UK immigration system, how this will affect your business, how to apply for a sponsor licence, the compliance aspects of holding a sponsor licence and right to work considerations. 

Click here to register your interest