Licensed sponsors on the Worker and Temporary Worker routes should note version 10/26 of sponsor guidance part 2, valid from 8 October 2026, which covers right to work checks and Rules changes.
Key facts
- Who: Licensed sponsors on the Worker and Temporary Worker routes
- From: 8 October 2026
- Source: Sponsor a worker: sponsor guidance part 2
Replaces version 08/26, published on 3 August 2026.
Version 10/26 of Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 2: sponsor a worker was published on 8 October 2026. It reflects changes to the Immigration Rules coming into force on 8 and 29 October 2026, set out in Statement of Changes HC 584 (published on 3 September 2026), and changes to the Right to Work Scheme that came into force on 1 October 2026.
Right to work checks. Paragraphs S1.40 to S1.43 have been redrafted. Paragraph S1.42 says that from 1 October 2026 the Right to Work Scheme applies to working arrangements beyond traditional employment relationships. Under S1.41, a sponsor must carry out the check whatever the nature of the working arrangement. Paragraph S1.43 says a civil penalty for employing an illegal worker, or a failure to carry out right to work checks as required, is likely to lead to licence revocation. In S7.60, sentences on how to carry out right to work checks have been deleted because other guidance covers them.
Level 2 users. Paragraph S2.4 now says a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) can be assigned by a Level 1 user or, until 8 March 2027, a Level 2 user. The Level 2 User role will cease to exist after that date.
Religious Workers. References to the "resident labour consideration" are deleted from S1.19, S3.42 and S9.15, because the requirement no longer applies to applications submitted on or after 29 October 2026. A sponsor whose Religious Worker intends to apply before that date must keep following section MRW5 of Sponsor a Minister of Religion or Religious Worker, as in force before 29 October 2026.
Financial requirement. Paragraphs S7.22 to S7.31 (formerly S7.22 to S7.29) are redrafted for clarity. They also reflect changes from 29 October 2026 to the financial requirement for Ministers of Religion and Religious Workers who are not entitled to National Minimum Wage.
Modern slavery. New paragraphs S8.28 and S8.29 reflect a provision from 8 October 2026 for Skilled Workers identified as victims of modern slavery. Paragraph S8.5 has been amended to match.
Other edits. In S7.53 (formerly S7.51), transitional references to age requirements for certain routes are deleted as no longer needed. The guidance also lists other minor housekeeping changes. Where paragraphs were added, later paragraphs in the section have been renumbered.
What this means for applicants
Sponsors must carry out a right to work check before a worker starts, and any follow-up checks for time-limited permission. From 1 October 2026 this applies to working arrangements beyond traditional employment. A civil penalty or a failure to check as required is likely to lead to licence revocation.
Sponsors relying on Level 2 users to assign a CoS have until 8 March 2027, after which the role will cease to exist. Sponsors of Religious Workers who intend to apply before 29 October 2026 must continue to follow the earlier version of section MRW5.
Related guide
Sources
- Sponsor a worker: sponsor guidance part 2, UK Visas and Immigration, GOV.UK (version 10/26, 8 October 2026)