Podcast | Workforce Worldview

    Sponsorship Licence Guidance: What Changes Should Be Reported to the Home Office?

    February 2025
    Featuring:

    In this episode of our Workforce Worldview podcast, we join Carine Elliot and May Cheung as they discuss the guidance on what kind of changes to the employment of sponsored employees and sponsorship licence holders need to be reported to the Home Office. They go over which changes need to be reported, the deadlines for reports and details about the processes for documenting these changes in a prompt and orderly fashion.



    What kind of changes with sponsored workers must be reported to the Home Office?

    There are many things that may need to be reported to Home Office when it comes to sponsored workers. These can include not starting a position within 28 days of the start date on their sponsorship certificate, going on unpaid leave for more than four weeks or salary reductions. To view the full list of reasons for a report please read through the official sponsor’s guidance.

    What is the deadline for reporting changes with sponsored workers?

    Most of the changes have a strict reporting deadline of 10 working days after the change.

    Do any changes with sponsored workers require ending the sponsorship?

    Yes, some changes to the status of a sponsored worker will require ending the sponsorship. This includes things like taking more than four weeks unpaid leave without an approved reason like maternity leave, or when that workers position significantly changes requiring a new SOC code.

    Are there any changes to sponsors or linked entities that need to be reported to the Home Office?

    Yes, some of these changes include change of address, change in company name, change in the size of the company itself, change of ownership which we covered in Episode 12 of Workforce Worldview, as well as change of officers among others. All changes made to any entities present on the sponsorship licence must be reported.

    What should you do if you are late to report to the Home Office or miss reporting entirely?

    If the Home Office notices a pattern of multiple late reports, then they can arrange a visit to the sponsor’s workplace or act against the licence. That said, it is always better to report late rather than not at all, as it will give you an opportunity to provide reasoning and offer some kind of defence against disciplinary action.

    Any tips or advice?

    There are lots of details to consider and Carine and May talk through plenty of do’s and don’ts. Key among them is to have systems in place to monitor potential changes to the employment of sponsored employees, as well as changes sponsoring entities to avoid being caught unaware by the quick deadline and, most importantly, talk to one of our immigration lawyers!

    Featuring

    Carine Elliott London
    May Cheung London

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