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Tier 4 Sponsors now able to claim CAS Allocation and other changes to Tiers 2, 4&5 Sponsor Guida
October 27, 2011
CAS Allocation
This week, the UK Border Agency has announced the new arrangements for Tier 4 sponsors who were granted their sponsor licence between 16 December 2010 and 28 February 2011, and were allocated zero confirmations of acceptance for studies (CAS) under the Tier 4 interim limit:
- Sponsors who fall into this category are now eligible to claim a CAS allocation in line with the policy and guidance for sponsors who did not have a Tier 4 sponsor licence during the period 1 March 2010 to 28 February 2011.
- These sponsors will also be allowed to apply for educational oversight, if they did not do so by the original deadline. Applications must be sent to the Quality Assurance Agency and the Independent Schools Inspectorate by 11 November 2011.
- These sponsors will need to apply for Highly Trusted Sponsor status by the end of March 2012 or once they have held their licence for 12 months, whichever is later.
CAS allocation can be requested using the sponsorship management system in the usual way.
If you are unsure of the requirements to be met in applying for Highly Trusted Sponsorship and whether you qualify, we will be happy to assist with your application.
Changes to Tiers 2, 4&5 Sponsor Guidance
UKBA”s new sponsor guidance has been available on their website since 30 September. Important changes which should be noted include:
- Additional requirements and a new reporting duty if you are a food business
Changes to the length of time certain documents must be kept for:
- If the migrant is sponsored for less than one year, documents must be kept for the duration the migrant is sponsored, or until a compliance officer has examined and approved them (whichever period is longer)
- If the migrant is sponsored for one year or more, documents must be kept for one year or until a compliance officer has approved them (whichever period is longer
The guidance has also been changed and re-published this week to:
- correct an error in paragraph 539 in that migrants under Tier 2 and Tier 5 must always be paid at least the amount stated on the CoS that you assigned to them; and
- to clarify at paragraph 107 that Level 2 SMS users cannot assign restricted CoS.
If you require any further guidance in light of these changes, please do not hesitate to contact us.
