We understand the complexities of immigration law in education. We stay ahead of the curve, offering expert guidance on all immigration matters for schools, colleges, and universities. We help you recruit and retain top talent from around the world, ensuring compliance every step of the way.

Mandatory Registration with UKVI

• Sponsor Licence : Schools and colleges in the UK must be registered as a sponsor with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to support international students with their visa applications.
• No sponsor Licence, no visa: Without a Sponsor’s Licence, institutions cannot act as a sponsor for overseas students seeking to study in the UK. This means international students wouldn’t be able to obtain the necessary visa through the institution.

Compliance and Duties

• Ongoing monitoring: Schools and colleges with a Sponsor’s Licence have a continuing duty to monitor their sponsored students’ attendance, progress, and immigration activity.
  Reporting non-compliance: If a student breaches immigration rules or attendance regulations, the institution must notify UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) promptly. Failure to report non-compliance could have serious consequences.
• Potential domino effect: Not notifying UKVI could lead to the sponsored student losing their visa. Additionally, the institution itself might face the withdrawal of its Sponsor’s Licence, impacting the immigration status of all their other sponsored students.

While a Sponsor’s Licence allows schools and colleges to welcome international students, it comes with ongoing responsibilities. Institutions must monitor student attendance and immigration activity, reporting any non-compliance to UKVI. This can be a serious matter, potentially leading to visa revocation for the student and even the loss of sponsorship privileges for the entire institution. However, it’s important to remember that schools also have a duty to act in the student’s best interests. This means striking a balance – upholding immigration regulations while prioritizing student well-being. There may be situations where working with the student to address attendance issues or considering exceptional circumstances is necessary before involving UKVI.

Please contact us at contact@aaraflawy.co.uk and one of our UK immigration lawyer shall call you back. Alternatively you can call us on 0203 442 0292 .