What is Genuine vacancy for Skilled Worker, Global Mobility, Scale up visas AND how to meet the test

Why it is vital to focus on the genuine vacancy The genuine vacancy requirement tends to be overlooked by many applicants, which is a mistake that may cause sponsor licence or visa refusal. This is why we decided to write this article to draw attention to its importance for sponsor licence and sponsored worker visa applications. In short, the purpose of the genuine vacancy test is for the Home Office…

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Warning to new sponsor licence applicants in the UK – tougher Home Office UKVI assessment of applications

Formally there have been no significant changes to Home Office guidance for sponsors yet. However, in practice new sponsor licence applications are assessed more strictly.  There are certain rules and principles that give Home Office UKVI significant discretion in decision making depending on the circumstances of each case. For example, the concept of ‘genuine vacancy’ allows Home Office to assess the business applying for the sponsor licence and the job…

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Applying for defined certificates of sponsorship (DCoS) – procedure, delays, refusals

Defined CoS application to Home Office Defined Certificate of Sponsorship applications frequently cause problems for sponsor employers. In this article we explain requirements and some of the challenges of Defined CoS applications. Anyone who intends to apply for skilled worker visa would first need to get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Those applying from overseas would need a Defined CoS (DCoS). Only A-rated sponsors can apply for Defined COS (DCoS).…

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Immigration sponsorship compliance duties – care homes & care providers – Home Office audit (visit) – licence revocation

Care homes and care providers – sponsor licence immigration sponsor duties All sponsor licence holder organisations have extensive duties and obligations defined by the Home Office. Non-compliance may lead to the licence suspension (during an investigation by the Home Office) or licence revocation (cancellation of licence after the investigation is completed). In this blog we focus on most common breaches of compliance obligations by care industry sponsor employers. We recommend reading…

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Immigration sponsor compliance – Home Office audit (visit) – care homes, care agencies & care providers

Sponsor compliance should be your priority Sponsor compliance should be the focus of all sponsor licence holders. This article focuses on its importance and key obligations. All sponsor licence holder organisations have extensive duties and obligations defined by the Home Office. Non-compliance may lead to the licence suspension (during an investigation by the Home Office) or licence revocation (cancellation of licence after the investigation is completed). In this blog we focus…

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How to apply for skilled worker sponsor licence for schools & education trusts to employ foreign teachers

HOW TO APPLY FOR SKILLED WORKER SPONSOR LICENCE AS A SCHOOL OR EDUCATION TRUST TO HIRE OVERSEAS TEACHERS Skilled Worker Sponsor licence can be obtained by schools and education trusts to employ foreign overseas teachers on Skilled Worker visa in the UK. The sponsor licence will assist UK schools struggling to fill the teaching vacancies. Once the sponsor licence is granted to your organization by the UK Home Office, your licence is valid…

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Skilled worker sponsor licence for UK fishing & seafood industry to employ deckhands and skippers

Immigration skilled worker sponsor licence for fishing industry in the UK Immigration Sponsor licence can be obtained by fishing & seafood industry businesses to employ foreign overseas deckhands and trawler skippers on Skilled Worker in the UK.  The skilled worker sponsor licence will assist the businesses struggling with the local staff shortages to fill the deckhand and trawler skipper vacancies. Due to the recent changes to UK immigration rules, transit visas are no…

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Changes to Skilled Worker visa announced 17 July 2023 – Shortage Occupation List update and Student switching restricted

Important changes to skilled worker visa – statement of changes 17 July 2023 There are some important changes announced for Skilled Worker visa route in the Statement of Changes to Immigration Rules 17 July 2023. In a nutshell, the changes to skilled worker visa focus on two main topics, i.e. new jobs have been added to Shortage Occupation List and restrictions on switching from student visa to skilled worker, other…

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Self sponsorship visa as Skilled Worker at own UK company

UK Self sponsorship on skilled worker visa – 2024 Self sponsorship attracts significant attention from migrants who wish to relocate or remain in the UK. This is no surprise, as currently the UK visa options are quite limited comparing to just few years ago. There are many foreign nationals who would like to establish and run their own business in the UK. In the past, they would be able to…

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How to choose the correct SOC Code for Skilled Worker COS and other UK sponsored work visas

What is SOC code for COS and choosing correct one One of the most important tasks when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS), is to choose the correct SOC code for the job role that you offered to a migrant worker. Therefore, the starting point is to understand the definition and meaning of ‘SOC code’. The term ‘SOC code’ is used in the UK immigration rules for sponsored work visas…

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