How do I sponsor a migrant worker?
Reporting
This page explains your reporting duties as a sponsor under the points-based system. Except where indicated, these duties apply to all Tier 2 and 5 sponsors.
On this page
What information you must report to us
You must report the following information or events about sponsored migrants to us within the time limit given:
- If they do not turn up for their first day at work, you must report this within 10 working days. You must include the reason the migrant gives for non-attendance (for example, a missed flight).
- If they are absent from work for more than 10 working days, without your reasonably granted permission, you must tell us within 10 working days of the 10th day of absence.
- If their contract of employment or registration ends earlier than was originally intended (including if they resign or are dismissed), you must tell us within 10 working days of the event in question, and give us the name and address of any new employer that they have joined if you know it. You must also include the last recorded residential address, and contact telephone number that you have for the migrant. Also, although we do not require that you keep a record of migrants' personal email addresses, if you have one, you should also include this in your report.
- If you stop sponsoring them for any other reason (for example, if they move into a immigration category with a different sponsor or one that that does not need a sponsor, their permission to stay in the United Kingdom ends, or if the migrant takes a period of unpaid leave which is not covered by the exceptions in paragraph 202 (see guidance for sponsor applications), you must tell us within 10 working days.
- If there are any significant changes in their circumstances - for example, a change of job which des not require a change of employment application to be made, a change of salary (but not an annual pay rise or a bonus), or a change of work location, you must tell us within 10 working days.
- If you have any information which suggests that they are breaching the conditions of their leave, you must tell us within 10 working days.
- You must notify us of any changes to your details, for example if you want to change your key contact or authorising officer, or if you change your address. We may ask for more details and we may ask for documentary evidence to support the change you are requesting.
- If there are any significant changes in your circumstances (for example, if you stop trading or become insolvent, substantially change the nature of your business, are involved in a merger or are taken over), you must tell us within 28 calendar days.
- You must also send us details of any third party or intermediary, in the UK or abroad, that helped you recruit employees.
If you are reporting any event that means you are no longer sponsoring a migrant, you must also include their last recorded residential address, and contact telephone number that you have for them. Also, although we do not require that you keep a record of migrants' personal email addresses, if you have one, you should also include this in your report.
Terrorism or any other criminal activity
If you suspect they are engaging in terrorism or any other criminal activity you must give the police any information you have.
How we use the information you report
Information about migrants' non-attendance, non-compliance or disappearance will be used to proceed with enforcement action against them.
How to report information
You must use the the sponsorship management system (SMS) 'request change of circumstances' function to:
- change your address;
- change your name;
- change your key contact or their details;
- tell us about changes to your structure, such as more branches or sites, or new linked entities if you are licensed under Tier 2 (ICT);
- update us on criminal convictions; and
- tell us about a change in the status of any registration by a governing body that you are required to hold.
- replace your authorising officer and/or key contact;
- amend the details of your authorising officer and/or key contact;
- amend your organisation details, for example notifying us of takeovers and mergers; and
- notify us of any other changes to your circumstances, for example adding or removing a representative or surrendering your licence.
All requests for change made via SMS must be made by a level 1 user.
There are also other specific functions within SMS to:
- request an increase in your CoS allocation;
- renew your CoS allocation;
- request an additional level 1 user; and
- amend minor details for your existing users (such as email address, telephone number or immigration status).
When you submit the changes we will tell you what documents you must send us to support your request. For some changes, for example replacing your authorising officer or surrendering your licence, you will also have to sign a short declaration.
There are circumstances when you will have to complete more than one action on the SMS. For example, if you notify us of a change of address, you may also need to notify us of a change to the working address for your key personnel. You must request each change separately.
The following are circumstances in which you will not be able to use SMS to report or request a change:
- replace the level 1 user when you have no other level 1 user to do this via the SMS (for example when the previous level 1 user was the only SMS user and has left your organisation);
- replace the key contact or authorising officer when you have no level 1 user to do this via the SMS (for example when the previous key contact or authorising officer was the only SMS user and has left your organisation); or
- appoint a representative as the level 1 user when you have no other level 1 user to do this via the SMS (for example when the previous level 1 user was the only SMS user and has left your organisation);
- surrender your licence if you have no level 1 user who can report this via your SMS account.
The change of circumstances form can be found under 'related documents' on the right. You can read the SMS guidance which shows you how to request changes via SMS.
Terms explained
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Immigration category
A category of our Immigration Rules. A migrant may be given permission to enter or stay in the UK under one of these categories.
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Working days
Monday to Friday are counted as working days. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are not counted as working days. Ten working days may be two weeks or less, depending on where the weekends fall.
Policy & Law
Related documents
- Sponsor change of circumstances formPDF 388KB opens in a new window