How To Operate a Sponsor Licence Training Course
Are you following Home Office directives and managing your sponsorship licence correctly?
Description
CPD accredited training course - 3.5 points
Sponsor Licence Management: The Challenge for UK Employers
It has become increasingly challenging for UK employers holding sponsor licences to navigate ongoing compliance duties and meet the Home Office's strict record-keeping and reporting requirements.
The risk of non-compliance is high, and a simple error can lead to severe consequences - enforcement action, punitive fines, revocation of your sponsor licence, and deportation of your sponsored workers. With the Home Office conducting routine audits and requiring immediate reporting of any breach of visa conditions, maintaining compliant sponsorship procedures is no longer optional - it's essential for protecting your right to employ overseas talent.
Our training course cuts through the complexity, providing you with the practical knowledge to manage your sponsor licence effectively. Learn to implement robust record-keeping systems, train your key personnel including Authorising Officers, and establish defensible reporting procedures that safeguard your licence and your business.
Agenda
09:30 Welcome, housekeeping, aims & objectives for the day
A chance to revisit your reasons for attending the course, meet fellow delegates and establish and agree learning objectives
09:35 Overview of the sponsor management system
- An overview of how to become a licenced sponsor
- Summary of employment-based immigration routes for staff coming into the UK
- Some general requirement of Skilled Workers and intra company transferees
10:30 Comfort break
10:40 Sponsor duties: What you need to know
- The Key Personnel
- The five fundamental sponsor duties
- Interaction between this and right-to-work
- Sponsor duties and HR reporting
- Practical tips
11:35 Comfort break
11:45 Issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship
- Requirements to issue a Certificate in the Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility routes
- Defined and Undefined certificates
- The process to issue
- Creating a compliance pack based on Appendix D of the Sponsor Duties
- Using priority services
- Sponsor Notes
12:15 Worked examples and Q&A
12:35 Some common challenges
- Meeting the sponsor duties
- Ensuring HR processes, meet these requirements
- Handling problems and changes
12:55 Final wrap up
13:00 End of workshop
Topics Covered
- Overview of the sponsor management system
- Sponsor duties: What you need to know
- Issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship
- Record keeping
- Absence monitoring
- Monitoring and reporting changes in circumstance
- Case studies and common challenges
What our delegates say
"Great training course, I have left feeling confident about my next steps in this area" - Anna Valley Ltd
"Brilliant" - Larkfleet Phoenix
"Brilliant - Really brilliant as a trainer, he was patient, very thorough and explained everything in great detail and made time for the many many questions we had, it was great, thank you for your time and help, amazing teacher!" - Claranet
Who the Course is For
HR and recruitment professionals, administration, training, security, risk, compliance, legal, policy, vetting and screening, operations and all line managers and directors and staff with responsibility for Right to Work checks and non- UK employee recruitment
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and understand UKVI audit triggers and processes - Distinguish between compliance/pre-licence and post-licence visits, understand why audits happen, and recognise the consequences of adverse audit outcomes.
- Prepare comprehensive documentation for UKVI compliance checks - Organise right-to-work information, sponsorship documentation, and establish robust record-keeping systems that meet UKVI inspection standards.
- Implement effective preparation strategies for compliance visits - Confirm legal basis for visits, prepare staff for interviews, manage data access requirements while ensuring GDPR compliance, and understand when legal support is needed.
- Manage the compliance check process on the day of inspection - Present appropriate documents upon arrival, handle compliance officer interviews professionally, and provide necessary access to systems and data.
- Execute post-audit follow-up procedures effectively - Forward requested information promptly, comply with action plans, assess civil penalty notices, and formulate appropriate responses to UKVI requirements.
- Develop and maintain compliant HR policies and recruitment procedures - Establish fit-for-purpose recruitment processes, avoid illegal employment practices, ensure team training requirements are met, and implement ongoing compliance monitoring systems.
FAQs
What does BFI specialise in?
BFI provides expert-led training in HR compliance, employment law, immigration for employers, union relations, workplace inclusion, and AI and talent solutions.
Who typically attends your courses?
Attendees include HR managers, legal teams, compliance officers, operations leaders, and public sector employers.
Are your trainers practitioners?
Yes. All trainers are experienced specialists; we feature practitioners from the public and private sectors as well as lawyers, policy advisers, former regulators, and consultants.
How do I book a course?
Choose an event on the website and click Register. You can pay online with a credit card or request an invoice.
Do you accept purchase orders?
Yes. Public and private-sector organisations may use PO numbers. These can be added during the registration process, or can be retrospectively added to am invoice if the place has been booked already.
We need to set you up as a Supplier, can you complete a form or send me over your company information?
Yes, we can do either; please contact us via info@bfi.co.uk
Can I get a PO number added to our invoice?
Yes, please send details through to info@bfi.co.uk or reply to us using your confirmation email
Do you offer group discounts?
Yes. Discounts for multiple bookings are automatically applied at checkout. For groups of over ten, it may be more cost-effective to run the course in-house. Call 01983 861133 for details
Can I transfer my place to another date or colleague?
Yes. Substitutions are free, and transfers are typically allowed within a set timeframe.
What is your cancellation policy?
BFI follows standard UK training-industry cancellation terms.
How are online courses delivered?
Training is delivered live via Zoom with interactive Q\&A and case-based discussion.
Will I receive slides and supporting materials?
Yes. Attendees receive slides, templates (where relevant), and many other useful documents and links.
Will I receive a copy of the event recording?
Our monthly subscription and webinar clients receive recordings of the live sessions; otherwise we do not record our courses to encourage confidential discussion and questions under the Chatham House Rule
What time zone are online events delivered in?
All events are delivered in UTC / London time unless otherwise stated
What is included in in-person events?
Full-day training includes refreshments, full documentation which is emailed prior to the event and networking opportunities.
Are your venues accessible?
Yes. All venues are fully accessible.
Are your courses CPD-certified?
Many courses are accredited by The CPD Certification Service.
Can I ask questions about my organisation’s situation?
Yes. Trainers answer questions during the session and can respond afterward.
Will the training help us prepare for an audit?
Yes, on our audit courses you will learn what triggers visits, what officers look for, and how to evidence compliance.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. All attendees receive a digital certificate of course completion.
Do you offer private or in-house training?
Yes. All courses can be tailored for your team. Visit https://bfi.co.uk/team-training/
Do you offer consultancy?
Yes. BFI offers policy reviews, audit preparation, HR compliance support, and workforce advisory services.