Introduction

A Sponsor Licence is normally granted for four years. If a business wants to continue sponsoring Skilled Workers, Health Care staff, Ministers of Religion or Temporary Workers, the licence must be renewed before it expires. Failing to renew on time can result in the licence becoming inactive, meaning sponsored workers may lose their right to continue working.

This guide explains how Sponsor Licence renewal works in 2025, the required documents, common mistakes, and how Stonebridge Legal Solutions can help.

✅ When Should You Renew Your Sponsor Licence?

The Home Office allows businesses to apply for renewal up to 90 days before the licence expiry date.
Waiting until the last moment is risky, because:

• The online system may block new Certificates of Sponsorship
• Workers may face visa issues or delays
• The company might be flagged for non-compliance

Applying early is always the safest approach.

✅ How to Check Your Licence Expiry Date

Employers can log into the Sponsorship Management System (SMS).
On the main dashboard, the licence expiry date is clearly shown.
If your SMS access is outdated or key personnel have changed, that must be updated before renewal.

✅ Step-by-Step: Renewing the Licence

1. Log in to the Sponsorship Management System

A Level 1 User must sign in and select the renewal option.
If your business no longer has an active Level 1 User, you must resolve this before applying.

2. Pay the Renewal Fee

The Home Office charges a renewal fee based on business size.
Payment must be made through the online system.
Once payment is completed, the renewal request officially begins.

3. Prepare for Possible Compliance Checks

Many businesses assume renewal is automatic.
It is not.

During renewal, the Home Office may:

• Request additional documents
• Review HR systems and payroll
• Ask for evidence of right-to-work checks
• Carry out a compliance visit

If the Home Office sees weak record-keeping or unreported changes, renewal may be delayed or refused.

4. Respond to Any Home Office Requests

If documents are requested, they must be provided within the given deadline.
These may include:

• Payroll and payslips
• Contracts and job descriptions
• Company accounts or tax documents
• Absence and attendance records
• Proof of business trading

Not responding in time can result in losing the licence.

✅ Common Reasons Renewal Is Refused

Renewal refusals usually happen because of:

• Poor HR compliance
• Missing documents
• Incorrect worker salaries
• Failure to report job changes
• Expired key personnel
• Previous warnings ignored

In serious cases, the Home Office may suspend or revoke the licence during the renewal process.

✅ What Happens After You Apply?

If everything is correct, the Home Office will approve the renewal and update the licence status.
The business can continue sponsoring workers without interruption.

Sponsored employees do not need to reapply for visas just because the company renewed the licence.

✅ How to Avoid Renewal Problems

The best approach is to:

• Keep digital HR files organised
• Train staff on sponsorship duties
• Update SMS regularly
• Monitor salaries and job roles
• Seek advice if unsure about compliance

If a business has had warnings or past issues, legal support becomes even more important.

✅ How Stonebridge Legal Solutions Helps Employers

Stonebridge can manage the full renewal process, including:

• Renewal submission through SMS
• Compliance preparation
• Responding to Home Office requests
• Document organisation
• Representing the business if a suspension notice is issued

Many companies lose their licence simply because deadlines were missed or documents were incomplete. Professional handling removes that risk.

📞 Contact Stonebridge Legal Solutions today for Sponsor Licence renewal support and immigration compliance services.