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UKVI Compliance in 2025: How to Protect and Restore Your Sponsor Licence A-Rating
UKVI Compliance in 2025
The UK’s immigration law is changing rapidly. For organisations holding a sponsor licence, understanding UKVI compliance in 2025 is essential to prevent downgrades, suspensions, or revocations. At Deluxe Law Chambers, we assist sponsors in navigating UKVI’s intricate compliance requirements to ensure they maintain — or swiftly regain — their A-rated sponsor licence status.
Understanding the UKVI Sponsorship System
The Home Office Sponsor Management System (SMS) is the platform through which licensed sponsors manage their sponsored workers. Compliance with UKVI sponsorship duties is not optional — it is legally mandatory and subject to audit without notice.
Key Sponsor Licence Ratings:
- A-Rating: Full compliance; able to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) without restriction.
- B-Rating: Downgraded due to breaches; subject to an action plan.
- Revoked: Licence cancelled; all sponsored workers affected.
Core Sponsorship Duties in 2025: A Detailed Breakdown
As a licensed employer, you mut meet the following sponsorship duties:
1. Record-Keeping and Document Management
Sponsors must maintain:
- Up-to-date employee contact details and right to work documentation.
- Proof of genuine vacancy, recruitment efforts, and salary alignment.
- Documentation of working hours, job duties, and absences.
Failure to present accurate records during a UKVI visit can lead to immediate downgrading.
2. Monitoring and Reporting Responsibilities
UKVI requires sponsors to report key changes within strict deadlines:
| Reportable Event | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Start date delay | Within 10 days |
| Worker termination/resignation | Within 10 days |
| Change of job role, salary, or location | Within 10 days |
| Company mergers, takeovers, or address changes | Within 20 days |
Avoiding a Downgrade: Proactive Compliance Strategy
To safeguard your A-rating:
- Conduct quarterly internal audits of all sponsored employees’ files.
- Implement a compliance calendar to track critical UKVI deadlines.
- Train HR teams on evolving sponsorship duties and escalation procedures.
What Happens if You’re Downgraded?
If downgraded to a B-Rating, you must:
- Pay for and comply with a UKVI Action Plan.
- Cease assigning new CoS until reinstated.
- Undergo rigorous monitoring and deliver specific corrective actions within a deadline (typically 3–6 months).
How to Regain an A-Rating After Downgrade
We assist sponsors in:
- Implementing Action Plans with precise and trackable remedial steps.
- Drafting robust compliance policies and audit trails.
- Preparing for and managing UKVI follow-up inspections.
- Filing strong representations where unfair assessments are made.
Our expert immigration solicitors ensure all documentation and policies align with Home Office expectations.
Licence Revocation: Prevention and Recovery
Once revoked, the impact is severe:
- All sponsored employees’ visas curtailed.
- Your business cannot sponsor new workers for at least 12 months.
- You may face scrutiny on future applications.
Recovery options may include:
- Judicial Review if revocation is disproportionate or procedurally unfair.
- Reapplication after cooling-off, with a comprehensive compliance overhaul.
Our Legal Support for Sponsor Licence Holders
At Deluxe Law Chambers, we offer:
- Sponsor Licence Compliance Audits
- Emergency Legal Representation during UKVI audits
- Assistance with B-Rating Recovery
- Licence Revocation Appeals
- Ongoing retainer packages for full HR compliance management
