Visa Sponsorship Case Study – Mercat Tours

Visa Sponsorship Case Study – Mercat Tours

What is the process for sponsoring a visa as an employer?

The HO Visa Sponsorship process involves two main stages – achieving HO Visa license for the business and then filing an application to sponsor an individual.  The application is hosted on the secure HO website, the sponsorship management system, which is comprehensive and clear to use.  Firstly, it needs to be established that your business is eligible, that the job is suitable for sponsorship (listed as eligible) and the minimum salary is being offered for the role.  Once this criteria has been met then you must identify key contact(s) in your business who are personally responsible for the sponsorship process and the Visa holder.  The application is then made for the business to receive HO SW Visa Sponsorship License.  Once received, a submission is then made for a specific individual visa holder with the personal details of their role and experience.

What advice would you give someone wanting to start the sponsorship process?

There are legal advisors who can support the process but if you have solid processes and records in your business then the majority of the work will be simply transferring the data to the HO submission.  The sponsorship process is very similar to any statutory process, it requires detail and care.  Therefore, take your time and plan your response to each step carefully, offline. 

What are some of the benefits of doing this (for the business & the employee)?

Making the commitment to achieve your HO License gives a clear message to the individual, your team and community that you care about their future.  Investing the time and money necessary to become a license holder demonstrates how you value your people.  It therefore attracts loyalty from your existing team, draws talent to your business which in turn reduces turnover and improves retention which cuts costs, securing profits for your business. 

What might be some of the challenges in sponsoring a visa? How did you overcome these?

The jobs currently eligible for the UK Skilled Visa sponsorship are limited and the minimum salary is £38,700.  There are ways this can be reduced depending if they are extending a visa, for example, and the legislation and criteria may well be revised soon.  The way to overcome the challenge is to raise the barrier(s) with your local MP and trade bodies evidencing the impact on the individual and the business in order to push for change