Sponsor Licence Rating
Every UK sponsor licence is given a rating of either A or B. An A-rated licence is fully active — the employer can assign Certificates of Sponsorship and take on new overseas workers. A B-rated licence means the Home Office has identified compliance problems and placed the employer under an action plan. While B-rated, the sponsor cannot bring in new sponsored workers until it completes the action plan and its rating is restored to A.
In This Article
- What is a sponsor licence rating?
- A-rated vs B-rated at a glance
- What causes a downgrade to B-rated?
- The B-rated action plan
- How long does it take to restore an A-rating?
- What a B-rating means for existing sponsored workers
- How job seekers can check a sponsor's rating
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Frequently asked questions
- Related terms
What is a Sponsor Licence Rating?
When the Home Office grants a sponsor licence to a UK employer, it assigns the licence a rating. The rating reflects the Home Office's assessment of how well the employer is meeting its sponsorship obligations. There are two ratings: A and B.
New licences are always granted at A-rating. The rating only changes if the Home Office, typically following a sponsor compliance visit, finds that the employer is not meeting the required standards.
The rating is visible on the Home Office's public register of licensed sponsors, which anyone can search online. Job seekers and recruitment agencies routinely check this register to confirm that a potential employer can legally sponsor overseas workers.
A-Rated vs B-Rated at a Glance
| Feature | A-Rated | B-Rated |
|---|---|---|
| Can assign new CoS | Yes | No |
| Can extend existing sponsored workers | Yes | Yes (existing workers only) |
| Public register status | A-rated | B-rated, with action plan noted |
| Action plan required | No | Yes (and fee applies) |
| Typical duration of B-rating | N/A | Up to 3 months on action plan |
| Risk of revocation | Low (if compliant) | High if action plan not completed |
What Causes a Downgrade to B-Rated?
A downgrade to B-rating typically follows a compliance visit or a review triggered by a specific concern. Common reasons include:
Record-keeping failures: Not maintaining adequate records for each sponsored worker (passport copies, right to work checks, contact details, National Insurance numbers).
Failure to report changes: Sponsors must report within 10 working days when a sponsored worker changes role, leaves employment, stops attending work, or their salary changes. Missing these reports is a compliance failure.
Salary underpayment: Paying a sponsored worker below the salary declared on their Certificate of Sponsorship, or below the going rate for their role.
Key personnel issues: The person listed as the Authorising Officer or key contact leaving and not being replaced promptly, or the Authorising Officer failing to take active responsibility for the licence.
HR system weaknesses: Not having robust processes to track visa expiry dates, renewals, or right to work check schedules.
The Home Office may also downgrade a licence if a sponsored worker has breached their visa conditions and the employer failed to detect or report it.
The B-Rated Action Plan
When a licence is downgraded to B-rating, the Home Office issues an action plan. This is a formal document setting out:
- The specific failures identified
- The improvements the sponsor must make
- The timeframe for completing the improvements (typically 3 months)
- The fee the sponsor must pay to access the action plan
As of 2025, the action plan fee is £1,476. This is paid by the employer, not the sponsored workers.
The action plan is managed by a Home Office case worker. The sponsor must provide evidence of the improvements made. If the action plan is completed satisfactorily, the rating is restored to A. If not, the licence may be suspended or revoked.
How Long Does It Take to Restore an A-Rating?
The action plan period is typically 3 months. If the sponsor completes the required actions within that window, the Home Office restores the A-rating. Some complex cases may take longer if the issues identified are serious or if further evidence is required.
Sponsors who do not engage with the action plan, miss deadlines, or fail to resolve the underlying issues risk licence suspension or revocation.
What a B-Rating Means for Existing Sponsored Workers
If your employer's licence is downgraded to B-rating while you are already sponsored by them, your current visa is not immediately affected. Your existing leave remains valid.
However, you cannot renew or extend your visa with a B-rated sponsor. To renew, your employer's licence must be restored to A-rating before your application is submitted. If your visa expires before the action plan is completed and the rating restored, you face a serious risk: you cannot extend with a B-rated sponsor, and you would need to find a new A-rated sponsor to transfer to.
Sponsored workers should monitor their employer's licence status on the public register and plan well ahead of visa expiry dates.
How Job Seekers Can Check a Sponsor's Rating
The Home Office publishes a searchable register of all licensed sponsors on gov.uk. The register shows:
- Employer name and location
- Licence type (Worker, Student, or both)
- Current rating (A or B)
- Route(s) the licence covers
You should always check the register before accepting a job offer that depends on visa sponsorship. An employer listed as B-rated cannot currently sponsor new workers, which means any new Skilled Worker visa application you submit with them would be invalid.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not checking the register before accepting a job offer. If the employer is B-rated, a CoS they assign is invalid and a visa application will be refused.
- Assuming B-rating means the employer is dishonest. Many B-ratings result from administrative failures rather than deliberate misconduct. What matters is whether the action plan is being followed and how close the employer is to restoring the A-rating.
- Thinking your existing visa is at risk the moment your employer goes B-rated. Your current leave is safe. The immediate issue is whether you can renew in time before the A-rating is restored.
- Delaying the action plan fee. The clock does not start until the fee is paid. Every day of delay is a day closer to the Home Office suspending the licence entirely, and sponsored workers paying the price.
- Not replacing key personnel promptly. If the Authorising Officer leaves, a replacement must be nominated immediately. Gaps in key personnel are a common trigger for compliance reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does A-rated sponsor licence mean?
An A-rated sponsor licence is a full, unrestricted licence. The employer can assign Certificates of Sponsorship to new overseas workers, extend existing sponsored workers' visas, and carry out all normal sponsorship activities.
What does B-rated sponsor licence mean?
A B-rated licence means the Home Office has identified compliance issues and placed the sponsor on a time-limited action plan. While B-rated, the employer cannot assign new Certificates of Sponsorship. They can continue to support existing sponsored workers but cannot take on any new ones until the action plan is completed and the rating is restored to A.
What causes a sponsor licence to be downgraded to B-rated?
A downgrade typically follows a sponsor compliance visit where the Home Office identifies failures such as inadequate right to work record-keeping, failure to report changes in sponsored workers' circumstances, incorrect salary payments, or poor HR systems.
How does a B-rated sponsor get back to A-rated?
The employer must pay for and follow a Home Office action plan, which sets out specific improvements to make within a defined timeframe (typically 3 months). Once the action plan is completed to the Home Office's satisfaction, the rating is restored to A.
Can I join a B-rated sponsor as a new worker?
No. A B-rated employer cannot assign new Certificates of Sponsorship. You would not be able to apply for or extend a Skilled Worker visa with a B-rated sponsor until their rating is restored. If you are already sponsored by them, your existing visa remains valid while they complete the action plan.
Related Terms
All employers on Hunt UK Visa Sponsors hold an active, A-rated sponsor licence. Find your sponsored role