UK Sponsor Licence Renewal: Expert London Immigration Solicitors

For employers relying on bringing overseas talent to the UK, maintaining an active Sponsor Licence is absolutely crucial. With the Home Office introducing significant changes to the way it renews sponsor licences, many organisations are uncertain as to what this new set of rules means for them and how they remain compliant with them. Here at Conroy Baker, our specialist London immigration solicitors are on hand to break down the process for you and to keep your business moving ahead with the latest in legal requirements.

The major update as of April 2024 is that the Home Office has dropped the mandatory requirement to renew a sponsor licence. Previously, sponsor licences were issued for a period of four years and had to be renewed upon expiry of that four-year period. Under the new policy, licences are now valid for a period of ten years and shall be automatically extended without the requirement of any additional fee or paperwork.

Most organisations with licences expiring on or after 6 April 2024 will no longer need to submit a renewal application. The Home Office will extend the licence validity automatically and notify sponsors via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).

• Your organisation is undergoing a compliance review.
• There are unresolved issues identified by the Home Office.
• Your licence was due to expire before the transition.
• You have been issued warnings or action plans.
• There is incomplete or inaccurate information on the SMS.

If you are unsure whether this applies to you, our team of experienced lawyers can review your status and guide you accordingly.

While it may seem that the extension of the validity period and the introduction of automatic renewals would simplify the sponsorship process by a large mile, things can still get tricky. The Home Office can still intervene, and automatic renewals do not necessarily mean protection from revocation. This means businesses must maintain full compliance at all times or risk suspension, downgrading, or loss of their licence.

Employers should regularly log into the Sponsor Management System (SMS) to review any Home Office notifications, ensure that all organisational and key personnel details are accurate and up to date, and carry out internal compliance checks to confirm that their HR processes and records continue to meet Home Office requirements. Where there is any uncertainty about the organisation’s licence status or obligations, seeking timely legal advice is strongly recommended to prevent avoidable compliance issues.

Since licences no longer expire by default, the expectation is that sponsors maintain continuous, error-free compliance throughout the lifespan of their licence. A single compliance breach can still lead to suspension or revocation, even without a renewal date looming.

• Keeping worker records up to date.
• Reporting changes within strict deadlines.
• Ensuring sponsored workers meet visa conditions.
• Keeping accurate right to work documentation.
• Maintaining HR systems suitable for audits.

Our specialist team supports employers across London and the UK to ensure their sponsor licence remains fully compliant and audit-ready. We provide:

We review your HR systems, SMS records, documentation and processes to ensure everything meets Home Office standards.

If your Authorising Officer or Key Contact needs guidance, we step in to manage the Sponsor Management System efficiently.

If your licence requires an active renewal, or you’ve received a Home Office warning, we provide rapid legal support to protect your licence.

We train your staff on right-to-work checks, reporting duties, and sponsor obligations to avoid costly mistakes.

The recent changes aim to simplify the system, but they have also created uncertainty for many businesses. At Conroy Baker, our UK-qualified immigration solicitors provide clear, strategic guidance to help your organisation stay compliant and fully prepared for any Home Office scrutiny.