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TIER 2 ONE STOP SHOP CONTENTS PAGE 

Please select a heading to expand the range of downloads on that topic 

 
INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT 
This document provides an overview of sponsorship for recruiting managers. It explains the different types of certificate of sponsorship (restricted and unrestricted), and what impact these have on the timescales for recruitment and employment start dates. Timescales are clearly depicted in order to manage expectations. The requirements for sponsorship are discussed, to ensure a recruiting manager can assess whether a particular role will be eligible for a Tier 2 visa application (we outline the code of practice/ SOC codes; appropriate salary and the resident labour market test). Information on the cost of sponsorship, for both the employer and the employee, is provided.  
 
 
COS DATA 
This is a form to support the administration process surrounding assigning a certificate of sponsorship (CoS); it is a word document to enable editing. The form has numerous fields to complete, to ensure you have all the required information before assigning a CoS. Included within the form are notes to clarify the meaning of those fields which might not be self-explanatory. We advise this completed form is kept on file for all sponsored employees; it is a useful tool should you need to assign a further CoS for a visa extension, plus it will assist and impress auditors by providing streamlined and easily accessible information. 
 
 
REQUIRED RECORDS 
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'. 
 
 
 
 
TIER 2 COS: INFORMATION FOR VISA APPLICANT 
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.  
 
 
TIER 2 LINE MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES 
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.  
 
 
TIER 2 EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES 
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.  
 
 
 
SPONSORSHIP TIMELINE AND CONSIDERATIONS 
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.  
 
 
REPORTING 
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. 
 
 
REQUIRED RECORDS 
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'. 
 
 
AUDIT PLAN 
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.  
 
 
TWO GRAB PACK 
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.  
 
 
 
ASSIGNING A COS 
These work instructions cover the process of assigning a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) on the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). It goes through each step individually, and provides detailed additional information to support a first time user of the SMS. We understand this part of the sponsorship process can be daunting; it is crucial to get it right for both the individual to be able to obtain their visa, and for the organisation's compliance. We therefore provide as much information as possible to give indviduals confidence that they are entering the correct information for the CoS.  
 
 
AMENDING A COS 
You can use the 'sponsor note' field on the SMS to amend minor errors identified after a CoS has been created. This document explains the process of amending a CoS, and provides examples of acceptable amendments (compared with an amendment which would require a new CoS to be assigned).  
 
 
COS FOR VISA EXTENSIONS 
At the start of these work instructions we provide clarification surrounding the timing of visa extension applications, and the subsequent impact upon when a CoS should be assigned. These work instructions are clear and simple; and notes are provided to support anyone unfamiliar with the process of assigning a CoS, or extensions. We provide suggestions for text to include within the CoS with regards to the resident labour market test, and highlight potential problems surrounding SOC codes.  
 
 
RESTRICTED COS 
For those individuals requiring a restricted CoS (RCoS), the process is slightly different. At the start of these work instructions we provide detailed information on when a RCoS might be required, clarification on the timescales surrounding the application process, and list the specific information you will require in order to submit an application to the monthly RCoS panel. The work instructions for the SMS are clear and concise; and we offer clarification on elements of employment detail which may not be self-explanatory. At the end of the document we clarify what the next steps are once an application has been submitted, and what is required depending on whether the application is approved or rejected.  
 
 
REPORTING MIGRANT ACTIVITY 
Within this document we provide an overview of what activity needs to be reported via the SMS, and how to go about doing this.  
 
 
 
SPONSORSHIP CHANGES 2021 
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. 
 
 
ALL CHANGES TO IMMIGRATION RULES 2021 
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.  
 
 
VISA CATEGORIES & WORK INSTRUCTIONS 
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.  
 
 
OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 
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.  
 
 
TIER 2 CONCESSIONS DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN 
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.