Version 10/26 of Sponsor a worker: sponsor guidance part 2 applies from 8 October 2026 and covers Immigration Rules changes taking effect on 8 and 29 October, and the Right to Work Scheme from 1 October.
Key facts
- Who: Licensed sponsors on the Worker and Temporary Worker routes, including sponsors of Skilled Workers, Religious Workers and Ministers of Religion
- From: 8 October 2026 (some changes apply from 29 October 2026; Right to Work Scheme changes have applied since 1 October 2026)
- Source: Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 2: sponsor a worker
Replaces version 08/26, published on 3 August 2026.
UK Visas and Immigration has published version 10/26 of part 2 of the sponsor guidance. It reflects changes to the Immigration Rules set out in Statement of Changes HC 584, published on 3 September 2026, which come into force on 8 and 29 October 2026. It also reflects changes to the Right to Work Scheme that came into force on 1 October 2026.
Right to work checks (S1.40 to S1.43). These paragraphs are redrafted. From 1 October 2026 the Right to Work Scheme applies to working arrangements beyond traditional employment relationships. A sponsor must check a worker's right to work whatever the nature of the arrangement. A sponsor that is issued with a civil penalty for employing an illegal worker, or fails to carry out the required checks, is likely to have its licence revoked.
Religious Workers and Ministers of Religion. References to the "resident labour consideration" for Religious Workers are deleted at S1.19, S3.42 and S9.15, because the requirement will not apply to applications submitted on or after 29 October 2026. Sponsors of a Religious Worker who intends to apply before that date must continue to follow section MRW5 of Sponsor a Minister of Religion or Religious Worker as in force before 29 October 2026. Paragraphs S7.22 to S7.31 are redrafted to reflect changes to the financial requirement from 29 October 2026 for Ministers of Religion and Religious Workers who are not entitled to National Minimum Wage.
Sponsorship management system (SMS) users (S2.4). A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) can be assigned only by a Level 1 user or, until 8 March 2027, a Level 2 user. The Level 2 User role will cease to exist after 8 March 2027.
Modern slavery (S8.28, S8.29). New paragraphs reflect a new provision from 8 October 2026 for Skilled Workers identified as victims of modern slavery. Paragraph S8.5 is amended as a consequence.
Other changes. Transitional references to age requirements for certain routes are deleted at S7.53. Sentences on how to carry out right to work checks are deleted at S7.60, as other guidance covers this. Where new paragraphs were added, later paragraphs in the section have been renumbered.
What this means for applicants
Sponsors must check that their right to work procedures cover every working arrangement now within the Right to Work Scheme, since 1 October 2026. Sponsors of Religious Workers should note which rules apply to applications made before and from 29 October 2026. Sponsors with Level 2 users on the SMS have until 8 March 2027, after which only Level 1 users can assign a CoS.
Related guide: Sponsorship requirements for Skilled Worker
Sources
- Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 2: sponsor a worker, UK Visas and Immigration, updated 8 October 2026
- Statement of Changes HC 584, published on 3 September 2026 (as cited in the guidance)