Briefing: how to apply for a student sponsor licence

Post Brexit, the economic workability for many education providers has been impacted. Unless they have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or are otherwise lawfully permitted to study in the UK. Each EU and non -EU student will be considered the same way and need a sponsorship from their education provider to come to study in the UK.

The student being sponsored can enter the UK via Student visa and once the student has lived for 5 years in the UK, he/she can apply for settlement and eventually go forBritish citizenship through Naturalisation UK.

Check if you need a licence? The foremost question coming to the mind of education providers is whether they need a student sponsor licence or not. Generally speaking, the education provider’s do not need a sponsor licence if they are teaching to the international students who have enrolled in a course for up to 6 months under the standard visa route. Infact, the International students can also partake English Language study programme for up to 11 months under the short term study programme. In such a case, the Education provider does not need to apply for a student sponsor licence.

Check if you are eligible for student sponsor licence

The Eligibility of Education providers is critical when it comes to securing a student sponsor licence. Many educational institutions are providing education to international students and are eligible for sponsor licence including the Universities. When it comes to school students, only independent schools are eligible.

The Education provider can sponsor students in two routes.

Independent schools can secure sponsor licence for sponsoring students via child-student route, where the students are aged 4-18 years. Whereas all other educational providers can sponsor students via student visa route where the students are above 18 years of age.

Requirements for securing a Student sponsor licence

It is very clearly stated in the student sponsor licence guidance that the ‘Sponsors benefit directly from migration and are expected to play a part in ensuring that the system is not abused.’ The Home office places great trust on the prospective sponsor seeking student sponsor licence. Hence trust is paramount.

In addition to this, the prospective sponsor must also fulfil the following criteria and continue to fulfil them throughout, as mentioned in the guidance:

a genuine education provider that has acceptable educational quality standards, and is operating lawfully in the UK, complying with all appropriate rules and regulations c

onsidered eligible and suitable to hold a Student sponsor licence; and

capable of carrying out its duties as a sponsor.

Educational oversight requirement

The guiding principles for educational oversight requirements outlined in the guidance for sponsor licence clearly states that any prospective sponsor must demonstrate that all the educational establishments meet with ‘acceptable educational quality standards.’

Eligibility and suitability requirements

The Home Office will consider and grant a student sponsor licence only when they meet eligibility and suitability requirements as set out by the Home Office.

The relevant factors considered by the Home Office is whether or not,

The prospective sponsor must ensure that all the educational establishments must meet Educational oversight requirements.

The education provider has complied within the stipulated time frame for the student sponsor licence application.

The education provider and all of its establishments must adhere to the immigration rules laid out by the Home Office for Student sponsor licence.

The education provider must also furnish evidence to prove that it is a genuine institution and is legally present in the UK.

Documentation required to prove suitability

The prospective student sponsor licence holder must be able to show the following documents of:

registering for VAT with HM Revenue and Customs where required to do so;

holding a written record of a fire risk assessment conducted by a competent person;

holding the appropriate planning permission or local planning authority consent to operate the relevant type or class of organisation at its trading address

Application process

You need to make an online application along with submitting the required documents mentioned above. You must pay a required fee of £536. Stay Connect with us & Write for us immigration

Visa expert, years of immigration consultancy experience, and a deep understanding of the intricacies of the immigration. Having the healthiest addiction of travel.