Licensed Worker and Temporary Worker sponsors are covered by version 08/26 of sponsor guidance part 3, valid from 28 August 2026, which updates rules on inactive licences, multi-factor authentication and right to work checks.
Replaces version 05/26, published on 20 May 2026.
Key facts
- Who: Organisations holding a sponsor licence on the Worker and Temporary Worker routes
- From: 28 August 2026
- Source: Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 3: sponsor duties and compliance
The Home Office has published version 08/26 of part 3 of the sponsor guidance, which covers sponsor duties and compliance. It replaces version 05/26 and is valid from 28 August 2026. The guidance says a full list of changes is set out in the document itself.
The changes listed in the guidance are:
- C2.4: a new bullet point reflects the phasing out of Level 2 Users. The guidance refers sponsors to section L4 of Part 1: Apply for a licence for full details.
- C5: the section is retitled "Inactive sponsor licences", with new text inviting inactive sponsors to surrender their licence.
- C7.27: text added to reference the extension of the right to work scheme to other working arrangements for relevant employment commencing on or after 1 October 2026.
- Annex C2(i) and Annex C2(k): updated to reflect that the cooling-off period will not apply where the sole reason for revocation is the process for inactive sponsorship management system (SMS) User accounts described in section L4 of Part 1.
- Annex C3(f): updated to reflect mandatory multi-factor authentication for SMS Users from 3 September 2026, again with details in section L4 of Part 1. The residual reference to the trial "Sponsor UK" service has been deleted.
The guidance also lists other minor housekeeping changes.
What this means for applicants
Under paragraph C1.3, licensed sponsors must read all parts of the sponsor guidance and remain aware of its content, including any changes the Home Office makes to it. That includes this version of part 3.
Sponsors with an inactive licence are invited, in section C5, to surrender it. Sponsors whose licence is revoked solely because of the inactive SMS User account process will not face the cooling-off period, according to Annex C2(i) and C2(k).
Annex C3(f) reflects mandatory multi-factor authentication for SMS Users from 3 September 2026. For relevant employment starting on or after 1 October 2026, paragraph C7.27 refers to the extension of the right to work scheme to other working arrangements.
Related guide
Sponsorship requirements for Skilled Worker
Sources
- Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 3: sponsor duties and compliance, UK Visas and Immigration, version 08/26