TIER 2 ONE STOP SHOP CONTENTS PAGE 

 

This 3-page document provides a new recruit with all the information they need surrounding sponsorship, and applying for their visa. It explains the difference between types of certificate of sponsorship (CoS), and important points regarding the CoS and their visa application. We provide an overview of the requirements for a Tier 2 visa (financial and language), and how the indivdiual can provide evidence of these. Information on visa fees and the NHS surcharge is included, and there is an overview of the visa application process - how/ where/ when etc. We have also included information on visa extensions, so that your new employee is fully informed for their future. The responsibilities of a Tier 2 employee are outlined at the end, to highlight the need for reporting particular circumstances to HR. This will support your compliance, as it will enable you to adhere to your reporting duties.  

 

 

This 1-page information document will highlight the additional responsibilities of managing Tier 2 visa individuals. Communication of responsibiliites is crucial for compliance; this document will inform line managers what is required, from reporting absence to changes in circumstances. By providing all Tier 2 employee's line managers with this information, you will ensure understanding and compliance. Providing evdience of its use within the recruitment and onboarding process will reflect well within a UKVI audit, as it demonstrates a commitment to compliance.  

 

 

This is a similar 1-page summary for use at the onboarding/ induction stage. It is for any new recruit sponsored with a Tier 2 CoS, to raise awareness of UKVI compliance requirements. We explain the need for individuals to protect their visa, and their employer’s sponsor licence, as both are at risk if there is a compliance breach. There is an overview of what needs to be reported - absence; changes to personal details; changes in circumstances. We also raise awareness and explain the potential issue of promotion or change of job role, and explain more about SOC codes for clarification.  

 

 

This document looks at the entire process of sponsoring an indivdiual, and what is required in order to support UKVI compliance requirements. The information is split into two columns to clarify where the responsibility lies - with the employer or the new employee. The following subheadings illustrate the type of information included: Resident Labour Market Test; Advert; Applicaiton and Interview; Assigning CoS; Maintenance Requirement; Immigration Skills Charge (ISC); English Language; Immigration Health Surchage; Dependents; Migrant Arrival; Migrant Starts Work; Sponsor Duties; Unpaid Leave; Visa Extensions; Maintain Compliance; Annual Duties.  

 

 

This is a compliance information document; we recommend using it to raise awareness to all those involved in the sponsorship process such as HR and line managers. It is a one page document summarising everything that must be reported to UKVI via the Sponsorship Management System. It includes the required timescales e.g. If you stop sponsoring an individual for any other reason (and provides examples e.g. if they move into a immigration category with a different sponsor or one that that does not need a sponsor), you must report this within 10 working days. 

 

 

This is a compliance checklist; we recommend one is completed and kept on file for each sponsored employee. It is a one page checklist of all the records you must have for each Tier 2 sponsored member of staff; e.g. passport/ biometric residence permit; contract; copies of qualifications; advertising at recruitment. It clearly states what is required in terms of the advertising records to ensure consistency across all recruitment e.g. 'Screenshot on the day vacancy first advertised. Must clearly show name of website; contents of advert; date & URL; closing date'. 

 

 

This article will help you to prepare for a UKVI audit. It explains what might trigger a visit from UKVI, so that you can be prepared for an imminent inspection. The document outlines the key areas that are assessed within an audit, and provides detail of what will be considered and examined; this includes policies, processes and employee records. We offer tips for a successful audit, which includes highlighting what issues are key concerns of UKVI. We hope this document gives you confidence that you are ready for an audit, and enables the process to go as smoothly as possible.  

 

 

We recommend having all your policies and procedures kept in one file, ready to provide to UKVI inspectors. This download is a template cover sheet, with suggestions for the documents to provide within the pack. Collating a file such as this will enable you to keep track of all the relevant policies and procedures so you can easily keep them up to date. It also demonstrates awareness of your sponsor duties thus providing a positive first impression at the start of an audit, helping to build the trust and set the tone of your inspection.  

 

 

This document outlines the imminent changes for current Tier 2 sponsors - and visa individuals. It highlights differences in the new rules which will impact your processes and procedures as a sponsor. These changes come into effect from 01 December 2020. 

 

 

Here we summarise the meaty Home Office document which includes all the changes to the immigration rules, which will come into effect from 01 December 2021. It covers all areas from EU workers, the new skilled worker route, health and care visa, post study visa options, and includes information for visa applicants too.  

 

 

This document is a giant table providing information on each visa category - including all visas within the Points Based System (Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 4, Tier 5), as well as additional visas (spouse, ancestry, PBS dependent, fiance/ partner, visitor, indefinite leave to remain). The table includes work restrictions, study restrictions, whether the visa holder is able to switch visa categories, and additional comments. This document is a useful reference tool to understand the restrictions upon your current visa employees, or new recruits.  

 

 

We have collated questions our clients frequently ask us in relation to Tier 2. This page categorises the questions: Sponsor Licence (becoming a sponsor, suspension, revocation); Recruitment (resident labour market test, SOC codes, salary etc.); Certificates of Sponsorship (restricted/unrestricted, process, SMS); Employment (extensions, promotions, changes in circs etc.) Users of The One Stop Shop have commented on how this page provides useful information as scenarios another employer has come across in real life.  

 

 

This link provides clear information on the concessions UKVI initiated during spring 2020 lockdown. This is a useful reference tool to refer to for clarification on what your compliance requirements were during this time.