In a welcome move, UKVI has confirmed that sponsors of workers no longer need to report when there is a change to hybrid and remote working patterns.
The original requirement to report such changes was introduced this time last year. This created quite a headache for many sponsors given the frequency with which work patterns can change.
UKVI’s updated Sponsor Guidance published on 5 March 2024 confirmed a change in its approach.
UKVI’s position
Thankfully, UKVI seems to have accepted that reporting is an unnecessary burden and has confirmed that:
“We recognise that many organisations have adopted a “hybrid working” model, where their workers work remotely (from either their home or another remote site, such as a work hub space) on a regular basis, as well as regularly attending a ‘traditional’ work location (such as one or more of your offices or branches, or a client site). You no longer need to tell us if a sponsored worker is moving to a hybrid working pattern but you must continue to report any changes to their main office work location, or of any new client sites, if applicable, and maintain suitable records of your sponsored workers’ working patterns.”
What does need to be reported?
If there will be a a change to the main office work location the sponsored worker works from, or a change to a client site (where permitted), these still need to be reported via the Sponsor Management System.
Worker’s working entirely remotely
Sponsors should be aware that in cases where a worker has been sponsored but will be working entirely from their home (or another non-office/client location), UKVI can ask for more information about the sponsorship. In particular, they may require an explanation as to why the sponsored worker needs to live in the UK at all.
Sponsors should therefore retain records that will help demonstrate why certain decisions have been made in the event of a UKVI compliance check.
Business immigration services: How our Immigration Solicitors can help
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