The first sponsor licences to be granted will expire on 27 November 2012. Sponsors will be able to apply for renewal of their licences 3 months before expiry. Renewal applications are made via the Sponsor Management System (SMS). The same fee applies as would do if the organisation were applying for a licence for the first time. For example, if you are a medium or large organisation applying to renew a Tier 2 licence or a Tier 2 and Tier 5 licence, then the renewal fee is £1,500.
Sponsors should check their sponsor details on the SMS now to ensure that all licence details are up to date in advance of applying for renewal. If any details are inaccurate, submit requests to change them as soon as possible. We also recommend that sponsors review their Prevention of Illegal Working practices and the other systems they have in place to ensure that they fulfil their sponsor duties. The UK Border Agency may request supporting documents as part of the renewal application process. Lewis Silkin would be happy to audit your documentation of employees’ right to work and advise on the other required HR systems upon request.
We recommend applying for renewal as soon as you reach the date 3 months before expiry of your licence. If your licence expiration date passes without a renewal application being made, or your renewal application is rejected after the original expiry date, you will no longer be able to sponsor migrants. Migrants you currently sponsor will have to leave the UK. The expiry date will apply to all Tiers of your licence, even if you added some Tiers after the grant of your initial licence.