How do I sponsor a migrant?
Recordkeeping
This page explains your record keeping duties as a sponsor under the points-based system.
On this page
What documents you must keep
You must keep the following records or documents, and be prepared to give them to our officials if asked:
- a photocopy or electronic copy of each sponsored migrant?s passport or United Kingdom immigration status document (and in time, their ID card), showing evidence of their entitlement to work or study including the time of their permission to stay in the United Kingdom. Sponsors who are employers should be aware of their responsibilities to help prevent illegal working in the United Kingdom; and
- each sponsored migrant's contact details (address, telephone number, mobile telephone number), which must be kept up-to-date;
You must give documents about sponsored migrants that we think are relevant. For example, we may ask for details of your recruitment practices, so we can make sure the resident labour market test is met correctly. See Appendix D for a full list of documents you must send.
ID cards
From 2008 we start introducing ID cards for foreign nationals. These are a new type of immigration status document containing details of the holder's immigration status, photograph and fingerprints.
If the migrant has an ID card, you must keep a copy of it.
See Checking identity cards for foreign nationals for more information.
See also
Terms explained
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Immigration status document
A document that confirms a person's legal position in relation to immigration controls, for example a visa or an ID card (when we start to issue ID cards).
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Resident labour market test
This is the process an employer must follow before employing a person who is not a permanent resident of the United Kingdom if he/she is first required to show that no resident worker could be found to take a job.
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Sponsor management and compliance procedures
Any procedure to ensure sponsors comply with their duties when sponsoring migrants under the points-based system.