Skip to main content
Leading UK Immigration Lawyer
Send a free enquiry Reply within one working day Call +44 203 637 8633 Email info@qc-immigration.com WeChat QC_Immigration

Sponsor licence compliance service

We provide ongoing support for businesses and HR teams to ensure full compliance with UK immigration rules. From managing sponsorship duties to preparing for UKVI audits, we make sure you stay compliant and meet all Home Office requirements. Just tell us about an employee or business change, and we handle the rest.

Book a call Get a quote

Who this service is for

A good fit if

  • You have been granted a sponsor licence and want to ensure ongoing compliance with Home Office requirements
  • You are preparing for a Home Office audit or inspection
  • You have concerns about potential breaches of sponsor duties and want to put them right before they lead to penalties or licence suspension
  • You have had compliance issues in the past and need expert guidance to improve your processes
  • HR staff have changed and you are unsure what is being tracked

Not the right service if

What we do at each stage

01Review and set up

  • Sponsor files and right-to-work checks reviewed
  • Gap report with priorities
  • Record-keeping and reporting processes put in place

02Manage day to day

  • Changes reported on the Sponsorship Management System for you
  • Certificate of Sponsorship allocation requests
  • Key personnel changes
  • Ongoing advice whenever you need it

03Stay ahead

  • Updates on changes to HR and employer duties
  • Visa routes opening and closing
  • New sponsor obligations
  • Steps to prevent illegal working
  • Mock compliance visit and support during Home Office visits
Not included
  • Home Office fees for Certificates of Sponsorship and renewals
  • Employment law advice beyond sponsor duties
Available as add-ons, quoted separately

Your sponsor duties explained

What the Home Office expects from every licence holder. We keep track of all of this for you.

Changes you must report

Report these on the Sponsorship Management System (SMS):

  • Your organisation: a change of name, selling or restructuring part of the business, a merger or takeover, a change in size or charitable status, a change in your main activities, or stopping trading or entering insolvency.
  • Legal issues: your business or key personnel being convicted of an offence.
  • Sponsored workers: ending sponsorship, a contract ending early, a worker not starting as planned, or a long absence without a reasonable or permitted reason.
  • Role or terms: significant changes to job title, duties, location, salary reductions or other contract terms.
  • Suspected criminal activity: if you suspect a worker is involved in terrorism or other crime.
Records you must keep
  • For each sponsored worker, on paper or electronically: passport, entry date, National Insurance number, contact details, absence records, recruitment records, payslips, employment contract, job description and qualifications.
  • The documents from your licence application, until the licence expires.
  • Copies of every application you submit.
  • Written policies, including record-keeping, reporting, right-to-work checks, and health and safety.

Some documents may need to be kept for longer where other laws require it.

Other UK laws you must follow
  • Employ only appropriately qualified, registered or experienced workers, keep evidence of it, and report changes that affect a worker’s eligibility.
  • Sponsored workers must only do the job they are sponsored for.
  • Follow UK employment law, and illegal working and right-to-rent rules.
  • Hold any planning permission, local authority consent or licence your business needs at its trading address.
  • Food businesses must be registered with or approved by the food authority.
  • Register with the relevant statutory body where needed, for example in care, healthcare or financial services.
  • Carry out Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where required.
When your duties start and end

For your licence: from the date it is granted until it is surrendered, becomes dormant or is revoked.

For each worker: from the date you assign their Certificate of Sponsorship until you report that they have left the UK and their permission has ended, their application was refused or cancelled with no appeal rights left, they have permission to work for another sponsor, they have been granted ILR or a route that does not need sponsorship, or you no longer sponsor them.

How the Home Office checks compliance
  • Asking for more documents or information.
  • Asking you to verify what you have already provided.
  • Visiting you or your sponsored workers at the addresses on your licence.
  • Checking with other government departments, agencies or local authorities.
  • Considering any other relevant information, including public allegations.
Key personnel and their roles

You must give sponsorship responsibilities to named staff, some of whom will use the SMS. There are four roles:

  • Authorising Officer, the senior person responsible for your sponsorship.
  • Key Contact, the main point of contact for the Home Office.
  • Level 1 user, who manages day-to-day sponsorship on the SMS.
  • Level 2 user, with more limited SMS access.

Tailored to your case, agreed in writing

How your fee is set

A tailored quote for your case

Every case is different, so we need to understand your circumstances before we give you a tailored quote. After your business consultation we send your fee in writing, based on what you’ve told us.

It depends on

  • The size of your business: small, medium or large
  • Whether you need any add-on services, such as visa or CoS applications
  • Whether you have a compliance visit or action plan coming up
Book a business consultation
Government costs

Home Office fees are separate

Licence, Certificate of Sponsorship and Immigration Skills Charge fees are set by the Home Office and paid to them directly. We list them in your quote.

Home Office fees go up regularly. If you’re sure of your route, we recommend applying as soon as you’re eligible.

See all fees

From consultation to compliance

  1. Step 1 Initial consultation Discuss your compliance needs and concerns with a regulated adviser
  2. Step 2 Action plan A detailed plan of the steps to achieve and maintain compliance
  3. Step 3 Comprehensive support We review your systems and advise on the compliant practices you need in place
  4. Step 4 Implementation support We help you put those systems and processes in place
  5. Step 5 Regular updates Regular check-ins and updates on Home Office requirements
  6. Step 6 Audit preparation If needed, mock audits and tailored guidance before a Home Office inspection

What clients say

4.9

Read our Google reviews

BECKO L.
I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional support I received from Xiaohan and Ligia at QC Immigration for my skilled worker visa application and my family's dependant visa application. Xiaohan was incredibly responsive and guided us through every step of the process with great expertise. Despite the tight proposed timeline, they made it totally feasible, and we received our visas just in time. I highly recommend QC Immigration for their professionalism, dedication, and excellent service.
Read the full review
Sponsor licence · Google review
Kai T.
Very professional service and responds quickly to every questions. Thank you Hafsah and the team to help my employer and I to get through the Tier 2 Visa application process. We are absolutely pleased with the service!
Sponsor licence · Google review
Kang Y.
Qiyin and her team has demonstrated outstanding professionalism, honesty, and expertise in my Tier 2 appeal application. I have been made very supported throughout a very daunting time period, and most importantly obtained a successful result at the end with their advice and support. I can never thank her team enough, and I highly recommend QC Immigration for their services.
Read the full review
Sponsor licence · Google review
Amin K.
Excellent service. QC responded promptly, provided me with thorough, precise and easy to follow advice. Exactly what I needed when I was stressing about my daughter's citizenship status. Thank you so much.
British citizenship · Google review
Monya R.
QC have been invaluable throughout Home Office procedures for Tier 2 /ILR applications. The entire team is dedicated, professional and responds swiftly to queries. The application process was straightforward thanks to QC's skilful team. Highly recommended.
Settlement · Google review
Danille D.
Once again, QC Immigration managed to help me with my visa extension. Without them, I'd have to deal with the stress of doing the application on my own. We made the right choice of continuing to work with QC Immigration. Thank you so much!!!
Visa extension · Google review
Mary
Outstanding service! QC provided precise, easy to follow advice and support throughout my permanent residence application process. The team is friendly, very professional, with invaluable in depth knowledge and advice that made the all process a pleasant experience. Highly recommended!
Settlement · Google review
Ching-Fei L.
QC Immigration handled our application in a way that was truly professional, clear and to the point. They explained all the options and procedures clearly to us and showed great respect for our privacy. The whole process was trouble-free and the result successful! Great value for money!
Visa application · Google review
Jessica C.
The are truly amazing and lovely as well as extremely professional. They not only helped us with all the paper work but also were supportive when we were worried and getting anxious. I will definitely contact them again when the next step comes and I highly recommend them.
Visa application · Google review
Warwick B.
QC guided me from application to naturalisation and passport with efficiency, knowledge, patience and care. They were recommended to me by a prestigious Law firm and I recommend them to you...
British citizenship · Google review
Anna R.
Having engaged QC Immigration to support my citizenship application I could not have been more satisfied with the service. My case was handled consistently by the same person. Ligia guided me through the process and made it all very simple. Any questions I had along the way were answered promptly. I have been putting off my application for years feeling overwhelmed by the bureaucracy involved. With QC Immigration support I was able to secure a successful outcome quickly and with no stress whatsoever. Charge for the service was very reasonable considering the quality of support and the responsiveness.
Read the full review
British citizenship · Google review
Diego G.
Xiaohan was so helpful with the process and we got accepted!
Visa application · Google review
Tala A.
My partner and I had a great experience with QC. Both Dorota and Ninder were professional and attentive. I’d definitely work with them again.
Partner visa · Google review
Scott C.
I recently engaged the services of QC Immigration to assist me in getting my first British passport. I applied from outside the British Isles and my situation was somewhat complex. Ninder and Dorota from QC treated me with the utmost of professionalism and courtesy. They took the time to review and explain my situation, and guide me through the steps of the application process, ensuring that my application stayed on track. With their expert assistance, my application was processed smoothly by HMPO and I received my new passport with no issues. I would highly recommend the services of QC Immigration to anyone who needs assistance navigating immigration, citizenship, or a VISA application to the UK.
Read the full review
British citizenship · Google review
Maria R.
We couldn’t be happier with QC Immigration. My partner and I applied for the UK Unmarried Partner Visa from Italy and received the decision in only 5 days after the biometrics appointment: truly incredible. Dorota followed us with exceptional kindness and professionalism, always available and supportive despite the large amount of documents we had to prepare. A special thank you also to Ninder! We felt fully supported and reassured throughout the entire process. We are over the moon and extremely grateful. Absolutely recommended!
Read the full review
Partner visa · Google review
Nicholas S.
QC Immigration successfully secured British Citizenship through descent for my son. It was by no means guaranteed, but their extremely thorough approach and direction ensured that everything was done clearly and successfully. A special thanks to Ligia W. who supervised the whole process with patience and diligence. Many thanks! they are extremely good at what they do and they deliver!
Read the full review
British citizenship · Google review

One regulated adviser owns your case

Every case is handled by an IAA-regulated adviser, with Qiyin Chuah, Founder & Principal (IAA Level 3), overseeing the team.

Meet the team →

Frequently asked questions

What triggers a compliance visit?

Visits can be routine or prompted by a change, a report or a concern. They may be announced or unannounced.

What happens if we get a B-rating?

You will be given an action plan to complete. We help you meet it and restore your rating.

Is the scope different for larger employers?

No. Every employer gets the same scope. The annual fee is set by the size of your business: small, medium or large.

What do we need to do?

Tell us when something changes for an employee or the business. We report it on the Sponsorship Management System, keep track of your duties and tell you when the rules change.

Need something different?

Tell us what you need help with

A regulated adviser reviews your situation and comes back with an honest next step within one working day.

  • An IAA-regulated UK immigration adviser reviews your case.
  • A personal reply with your next step, within one working day.
  • No payment required. Fixed fees if you proceed.

Prefer to talk? Book a call.

Send a free enquiry

Attach a document (optional) PDF, Word document or image (JPG or PNG), up to 4 MB.

Everything below is optional. Skip anything you are not sure of.

Where are you now?
How urgent?

No payment. Used only to respond to you. Privacy