What are the four core sponsor duties?

The Home Office defines four categories of sponsor duties: monitoring immigration status and preventing illegal employment, maintaining accurate records, reporting changes to the Home Office, and ensuring sponsored workers comply with their visa conditions. All four must be met at all times.

Do I need to check if my sponsored worker is complying with their visa?

Yes. Sponsors have a duty to monitor compliance. This includes ensuring the worker is performing the role described in the CoS, is being paid the salary stated, and is not working hours that exceed any restrictions. If you become aware of non-compliance, you must report it.

What happens when a sponsored worker leaves?

Report the worker's departure to UKVI within 10 working days using the Sponsorship Management System. Include the leave date and reason. This is a mandatory reporting duty. Failure to report can result in compliance action against your licence.

How often must I renew my sponsor licence?

Sponsor licences must be renewed every 4 years. Apply for renewal before the expiry date to avoid a lapse. The renewal fee is the same as the initial application fee. If your licence expires without renewal, all sponsored workers' visas may be curtailed.

Employer Sponsor Duties: A Complete Checklist

Sponsor employers must monitor worker compliance, maintain records, report changes, and prevent illegal employment. This checklist covers every key duty to help employers stay compliant and avoid licence revocation.

Before Sponsoring a Worker

Ensure your sponsor licence is active and A-rated
Verify the role meets skill and salary thresholds
Conduct a genuine vacancy test if required
Assign a CoS with accurate details
Pay the required fees

When the Worker Arrives

Conduct a right-to-work check on their first day
Record their passport and BRP details
Confirm their start date in the SMS
Ensure they are performing the role described in their CoS
Set up monitoring for visa expiry dates and follow-up checks

During Employment

Monitor attendance and report unexplained absences over 10 days
Report any changes to job duties, title, work location, or salary
Keep records updated and accessible
Conduct follow-up right-to-work checks before visa expiry
Cooperate fully with any Home Office compliance visits

When Employment Ends

Report the worker's departure to UKVI within 10 working days
Record the leave date and reason
Retain records for the required period after employment ends
Understand the impact on the worker's visa (60-day rule)

Licence Maintenance

Renew your licence before the 4-year expiry
Keep your organisation's details up to date in the SMS
Notify UKVI of changes to your key personnel (authorising officer, key contact)
Notify UKVI of changes to your business (mergers, name changes, address changes)

Common Compliance Failures

Failing to report a worker leaving within the deadline
Not keeping copies of required documents
Employing workers in roles different from their CoS
Paying below the stated salary without updating the CoS
Failing to monitor attendance

For more detail, see our guide on employer responsibilities. For penalties, see our guide on civil penalties. For information on hiring EU nationals, see our guide on employing EU nationals after Brexit.

Further Resources

For the full sponsor duties, visit GOV.UK. See also our guides on curtailment and right to work.