The Points Based System was introduced in 2008 and is based on employers applying to the Home Office (UK Visas & Immigration) for a Sponsor Licence and becoming registered sponsors. Once a business is a licenced sponsor, it will be added to the Home Office’s register of sponsors and it can then allocate Certificate of Sponsorships (CoS) to non EU migrants enabling them to work in the UK in skilled employment.
As at the beginning of 2016, Home Office statistics confirm that there are over 29,000 registered Tier 2 and 5 Sponsors all able to directly hire workers from outside the EU. This is the only method of hiring non EU workers in the UK and the Home Office have strict policies in place when considering whether a business should be granted a Sponsor Licence.
Our immigration lawyers have extensive experience in preparing Sponsor Licence applications for businesses/employers regardless of whether the employer is a start up or large enterprise.
Once a business has been granted a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence, it will have access to the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). This online tool allows Sponsors’ to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to migrants who wish to come to or stay in the UK. As a Sponsor, the SMS allows you to fulfil reporting duties for sponsored migrants.
Our business immigration solicitors are regularly instructed by businesses to undertake the functions of a Level 1 User and essentially undertake the businesses day-to-day sponsorship activities. This includes assigning CoS to migrants, applying for and assigning restricted CoS and renewing sponsor licences.
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