As a licensed sponsor, you must report certain changes to a sponsored worker’s circumstances within 10 working days of the change - this is a legal requirement under the UK’s immigration rules.
You must report the following:
🔁 Work Start & Attendance
Worker doesn’t start the job within 28 days of the start date on the CoS.
Unauthorised absence of more than 10 consecutive working days.
Unpaid or reduced pay absence lasting more than 4 weeks in a calendar year (unless a valid exception applies).
❗️Unauthorised Absence: What to Report
If a worker is absent without permission for more than 10 working days, report it within 10 working days after day 10 of the absence. Include:
Date the unauthorised absence started
If applicable, the return date
If the worker hasn’t returned: any attempts to contact them
Whether you have made or will make salary deductions, and what they are
Whether you plan to continue sponsoring the worker
🏢 Changes to Work Location
You must report if the worker’s normal work location (as stated on their CoS) changes. This includes:
Moving to a different office, branch, or client site not previously declared
Becoming a permanent or full-time remote worker (with little or no workplace attendance)
🧑💻 Hybrid Working
You do not need to report if the worker is moving to a hybrid working pattern (e.g. mix of office and home-based work).
You must still report any changes to:
Their main office location
Any new client sites
Keep internal records of all working patterns.
🏠 Fully Remote Workers
If a worker becomes a contractual home worker (i.e. permanently remote with minimal or no site visits), you must report this.
UKVI may ask why the worker needs to be in the UK if they can work from abroad.
🚫 Not Required:
Temporary or occasional work at other sites or from home
💼 Changes to Employment
Job role, title, or duties change (if within the same occupation code and meets the required conditions).
Promotion within the same occupation code (change of occupation code requires a new visa application)
Pay reductions from the level stated on the CoS (increases do not need to be reported unless it relates to nurses/midwives completing registration).
❌ End of Sponsorship or Other Events
You must report if you stop sponsoring a worker for any reason, including:
Worker’s visa application refused, cancelled, or appeal process completed
Worker declines the job or you withdraw the offer
Employment ends early (before CoS end date)
Legally required professional registration/accreditation is withdrawn (e.g. GMC for doctors)
Unpaid or reduced pay leave exceeds 4 weeks without valid exception
Worker has been granted settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) or another visa not requiring sponsorship
Worker resigns, is dismissed, or made redundant
UKVI tells you a reported job or salary change is not permitted
📝 How to Report
Please see this support article for guidance on how to report a change of circumstance for sponsored employees on the Borderless portal.
📍 When Reporting End of Sponsorship or Absence
Also include:
Worker’s last known residential address
Phone number and personal email addresses (if known)