Tier 2 Sponsor Licence: Most Frequently Asked Questions

Tier 2 Sponsor Licence was established by the UKVI to let companies based in the UK employ skilled and talented workers from outside of Europe. To make the application process easier, Mann’s Solutions has prepared answers to the most frequently asked questions, regarding Tier 2 Sponsor Licence.

To obtain the licence, UK employers must first apply for an application to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), on the other hand, non-EEA nationals must have a job offer from an employer that has made a successful sponsor licence application before they can apply to come to, or remain in the UK for work. Please find answers to Tier 2 Sponsor Licence Questions below:

For how long will be Tier 2 Sponsor Licence valid after granted?

The licence will be valid for 4 years, after which the company will have to renew it. During the period, a sponsorship licence might be revoked if the company does not follow the rules and fails to meet obligations.

What will happen if the company misses the renewal date?

It is important to renew the Licence before it expires as the company will no longer be a licensed sponsor from the date that the licence expires. On the other hand, the Home Office will curtail the migrant’s leave to 60 calendar days. Sponsor and employee will be affected by the missed renewal, as when an application to renew is made subsequently, the employer will be treated as if they were a new sponsor.

If the prospective Tier 2 Migrant wants to bring his family to the UK, does the company pay the skills charge for them too?

As the prospective Tier 2 migrant’s family members are not migrant workers, the skills charge should not be paid.

Will the Home office do the Sponsor Audit and visit the company’s office only during the application process or at any time?

The Home Office usually visits the office of the company to assess if the company meets suitability criteria when determining whether or not to issue a Sponsor Licence. This means, that Home Office can make an unannounced visit for assessment, and companies that already hold the licence are often visited to be checked if they are continuing to meet their duties. 

Is it possible to assign a Sponsorship Certificate immediately, once the company found a suitable employee?

The Sponsorship Certificate can be assigned and issued only to a prospective Tier 2 General Migrant. When the following obligations are met: 

• Genuine residence labour market test
• The Salary of the migrant must meet the appropriate rate for the job
• The job must be a genuine vacancy

Contact our Immigration Lawyers – Tier 2 Sponsor Licence

Mann’s Solutions is an international immigration law firm with offices in London, Hong Kong, and Moscow. We are specialised in offering UK Visas and Immigration by Investment services to high net worth individuals. Our immigration lawyers are regulated by OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) and IMC (Investment Migration Council).

For further information or to discuss your circumstances in a private consultation with our immigration lawyers in London Office, please contact us at enquiries@manns-solutions.com or call +44 207 993 63 46.