What is the difference between an A-rated and B-rated sponsor?

An A-rated sponsor has met all Home Office compliance requirements and can freely assign certificates of sponsorship. A B-rated sponsor has been found non-compliant and is placed on an action plan. B-rated sponsors face restrictions on sponsoring new workers until they return to compliance.

How do I check my employer's sponsor rating?

You can check the register of licensed sponsors on GOV.UK. It lists every licensed sponsor along with their current rating (A or B) and the visa routes they are licensed for.

What happens if my sponsor loses their licence entirely?

If your sponsor's licence is revoked, your visa will be curtailed. You typically get 60 days to find a new sponsor, switch to a different visa category, or leave the UK. It is important to act quickly in this situation.

A-Rated vs B-Rated Sponsor Licence: What It Means for Workers

Q: Can I still work for a B-rated sponsor?

If you already hold a valid visa sponsored by that employer, you can continue working. However, a B-rated sponsor generally cannot assign new certificates of sponsorship, so new applicants cannot be sponsored until the rating improves.

UK sponsors are rated A or B by the Home Office based on their compliance record. An A-rating means the sponsor is fully compliant, while a B-rating indicates problems that must be fixed. Understanding this system is essential for anyone on or applying for a sponsored work visa.

How the Sponsor Rating System Works

Every UK employer that wants to sponsor overseas workers must hold a sponsor licence. The Home Office assigns each licensed sponsor a rating based on their compliance with immigration duties. There are two ratings:

A-rated: The sponsor meets all compliance requirements. They can assign certificates of sponsorship and sponsor new workers without restriction.
B-rated: The sponsor has failed to meet one or more compliance duties. They are placed on a time-limited action plan and face restrictions until they demonstrate improvement.

The rating system is designed to ensure that employers take their sponsorship responsibilities seriously. You can view the full register of licensed sponsors on GOV.UK.

What Makes a Sponsor A-Rated

An A-rated sponsor is one that has demonstrated full compliance with its sponsorship duties. These duties include:

Keeping accurate records of sponsored workers (contact details, attendance, right to work documents)
Reporting changes to the Home Office (such as a worker leaving, being absent, or changing roles)
Only assigning certificates of sponsorship for genuine vacancies that meet the skill and salary requirements
Cooperating with Home Office compliance visits

Most sponsors start with an A-rating when they first receive their licence. As long as they continue to meet their obligations, the rating stays at A.

What a B-Rating Means

A B-rating is a warning. The Home Office has identified compliance failures and is giving the sponsor a chance to fix them before considering licence revocation. Common reasons for a B-rating include:

Failing to report worker absences or changes in circumstances
Not keeping proper records
Assigning certificates of sponsorship for jobs that do not meet the requirements
Failing a compliance visit or audit

A B-rated sponsor is given an action plan, typically lasting around 12 months. During this period, they must demonstrate that they have fixed the problems. If they do, they return to an A-rating. If they do not, the licence can be revoked entirely.

While on a B-rating, the sponsor generally cannot assign new certificates of sponsorship, which means they cannot bring in new sponsored workers.

Impact on Existing Workers

If you already hold a valid Skilled Worker visa and your employer is downgraded to a B-rating, your visa is not automatically cancelled. You can continue working for that employer while they address the compliance issues.

However, there are risks to be aware of:

If the sponsor fails to return to an A-rating and their licence is revoked, your visa will be curtailed (shortened). You will typically have 60 days to find a new sponsor or make alternative arrangements.
If you need to extend your visa or apply for indefinite leave to remain, a B-rated sponsor may complicate your application.
A B-rating can signal wider problems at the company. It is worth understanding what went wrong and whether the employer is taking steps to fix it.

Impact on New Applicants

If you are considering a job offer from a UK employer, check their sponsor rating before accepting. A B-rated sponsor generally cannot assign new certificates of sponsorship, meaning they cannot sponsor your visa application.

To check an employer's rating, visit the GOV.UK register of licensed sponsors and search for the company name. The register shows the sponsor's name, rating, and which visa routes they are licensed for.

If the employer you want to work for does not appear on the register at all, they do not hold a sponsor licence and cannot sponsor you. They would need to apply for a sponsor licence first, which can take several weeks.

What Happens When a Licence Is Revoked

If a sponsor's licence is revoked (whether from a B-rating or for other reasons), all sponsored workers are affected. The Home Office will:

Curtail your leave, usually giving you 60 days from the date of the curtailment letter
Cancel your certificate of sponsorship

Within those 60 days, you can:

Find a new employer with a valid sponsor licence and apply to change sponsors
Switch to a different visa category if you are eligible (for example, the Graduate route if you recently completed a UK degree)
Leave the UK before the curtailment date to avoid overstaying

How to Protect Yourself

While you cannot control your employer's compliance, you can take steps to reduce your risk:

Check the register before accepting a job. Verify the employer is A-rated and licensed for your visa route.
Keep your own records. Maintain copies of your certificate of sponsorship, contract of employment, payslips, and any correspondence about your visa.
Monitor your employer's rating. Check the register periodically, especially if you hear about compliance issues at work.
Understand your options. Know the visa switching rules so you can act quickly if needed.

Next Steps

Check your current or prospective employer's rating on the GOV.UK register. If you are already working for a B-rated sponsor, consider seeking advice from an immigration solicitor about your options.

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