Sponsor Licence Renewal Overview
UK Sponsor Licences are time-limited and must be renewed before they expire. An expired Sponsor Licence prevents the employer from assigning Certificates of Sponsorship and may affect existing sponsored workers' immigration status. It is essential to renew in good time.
When to Renew
The Home Office will typically send a reminder before a Sponsor Licence expires. However, it is the employer's responsibility to ensure that renewal is submitted in time. We recommend beginning the renewal process at least 3 months before the licence expiry date to allow sufficient time for preparation and to address any issues that may arise.
The Renewal Process
Sponsor Licence renewal is made through the Sponsor Management System (SMS). The process involves:
- Confirming that all organisational details are up to date in the SMS
- Ensuring that all required documents are available
- Submitting the renewal application and paying the applicable fee
- Responding to any requests for information from the Home Office
Compliance Before Renewal
The Home Office may review the sponsor's compliance record as part of the renewal process. Organisations with previous compliance issues, or those that have not maintained their records appropriately, may face additional scrutiny at renewal. We advise on addressing any compliance gaps before renewal is submitted.
Key Contacts and Personnel
It is important to ensure that all Key Personnel listed on the licence (Authorising Officer, Key Contact, Level 1 Users) are still in post and have appropriate access to the SMS. Changes to key personnel should be reported to the Home Office through the SMS and should be addressed before or at the time of renewal.