Due to the present employee shortage in the United Kingdom, numerous businesses are requesting assistance with Sponsor Licence applications. If businesses have a valid sponsor licence, they can access the global talent pool and hire qualified individuals from all over the world to cover their open positions, thereby expanding their hiring options.
When applying for a Sponsor Licence, the organisation must appoint an 'Authorising officer' to oversee the sponsor licence and fulfill all sponsor obligations.
If you do not have an AO in place or if your AO does not meet the requirements, your application for a licence will be refused, or your licence will be suspended or revoked.
Why do you need an Authorising Officer?
Any organisation requesting a sponsor licence from the UK Home Office is required to have an Authorising Officer (AO). AO is responsible for the actions of staff and representatives utilising the Sponsor management system and oversees the overall immigration compliance of the sponsoring organisation. The sponsor licence holder organisation must designate an AO for the entire period of the license's validity.
This individual acts as the primary contact with the Home Office. For example, the Home Office will contact the AO if they have questions regarding their application for a sponsor licence, the documents sent, or the payment.
Who can be nominated as an Authorising Officer?
The organisation may appoint only one individual as the 'Authorising Officer.' The AO should be a senior member of the organisation responsible for the recruitment of migrant workers, a trustworthy staff member designated by the employer, or a person who understands the AO's role.
When assessing an application for a sponsor licence, UKVI will conduct a suitability check on the nominated AO (no criminal convictions, no bankruptcy, and no prior penalties for employing illegal migrants).
The Authorising Officer cannot be someone who is:
Therefore, the AO must be permanently based in the United Kingdom for the duration of their appointment. For example, a British citizen or someone with a valid resident permit in the United Kingdom that covers the duration of their appointment as an AO.
Unless this individual is an Office holder, the AO should be a permanent employee of the organisation and should be on the company's payroll. Office holder refers to a company's registered director or secretary, a board member of a statutory body, or a person with a crown appointment.
What are the responsibilities of the Authorising Officer?
The AO is responsible for ensuring that the responsibilities imposed on the employer by the sponsor licence are fulfilled. It is crucial that the AO frequently examines SMS activity, that key personnel executes their duties, and that any changes to the regulations regulating licencing compliance are kept updated.
The AO is responsible for the actions of staff and representatives, as well as determining the number of staff who need access to the SMS and their level of permission.
After obtaining your licence, the AO and Level 1 users can be the same person. Level 1 users are able to perform any of the practical tasks associated with sponsoring migrant employees.
The AO is responsible for ensuring compliance with UKVI rules, sponsor duties, and any updates to licence compliance rules. Sponsor responsibilities involve recordkeeping, reporting, and monitoring.
The failure to appoint an AO within your organisation may result in a refusal of your Sponsor Licence application. After obtaining a successful sponsor licence, organisations are still required to have an AO. Consequently, organisations are required to have an authorising officer throughout the duration of their licence.
When appointing key personnel to manage the sponsor licence, including the duties and responsibilities they are expected to carry out, our immigration specialists are able to provide advice and direction. Contact us on 0203 617 9173 or leave a message.