Student sponsors face a new Basic Compliance Assessment framework with a Red-Amber-Green rating and tighter thresholds for assessments applied for on or after 1 June 2026, under Student sponsor compliance guidance.
Key facts
- Who: Sponsors of Students and Child Students holding a Student sponsor licence
- From: 1 June 2026
- Source: Student sponsor guidance
Replaces the legacy Basic Compliance Assessment framework.
Document 3 of the Student Sponsor Guidance (version 06/2026), "Student sponsor compliance", replaces the legacy Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) framework. The guidance is to be used from 1 June 2026. Its "changes since last publication" section lists the amendments.
The core requirements change. For BCAs applied for before 1 June 2026, a sponsor needs a visa refusal rate below 10%, an enrolment rate of at least 90% and a course completion rate of at least 85%. For BCAs applied for on or after 1 June 2026, the refusal rate must be below 5% and the enrolment rate at least 95%, with completion unchanged at 85%. For BCAs applied for on or after 1 June 2027, completion rises to at least 90% (paragraph 2.14).
Outcomes are now a single Red-Amber-Green (RAG) rating, set by the sponsor's lowest-rated metric rather than an aggregate (paragraph 2.29). Under paragraph 2.28, a refusal rate of 5% or more is red and 4% to under 5% is amber. An enrolment rate below 95% is red and 95% to under 96% is amber.
A first red rating means an action plan of at least 12 months, a cut of at least 10% to the next Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) allocation compared with the previous year's usage, and a "Final Warning" that stays active for the next five BCAs (paragraphs 2.44 to 2.46). UKVI may also restrict privileges linked to a Track Record of Compliance. Failing the core requirements of multiple metrics in one BCA, or a second red rating within those five assessments, will be considered a serious breach of sponsorship duties unless paragraph 2.60 applies (paragraphs 2.51 and 2.52).
An amber-rated sponsor will not be granted more CAS than it previously used until it becomes green (paragraph 2.65). It will normally be required to attend engagement meetings, and failure to engage is treated as a serious breach (paragraph 2.69).
Other changes include a limit on the number of years a sponsor can keep its licence for Visitor and Short-term Study (English Language) accreditation without using it to sponsor a Student (paragraphs 2.83 and 2.86). Paragraph 6.3 no longer refers to advising Students not to travel when a sponsor is removed from the register while under investigation.
What this means for applicants
Sponsors must still apply for a BCA every 12 months, through the Sponsor Management System (SMS). Applications can be made up to one month before they are due, but must be made by the due date, or the licence will be considered for revocation (paragraphs 2.7 and 2.8). Missing the timescale will normally be treated as a serious breach, with licence revocation action begun (paragraph 2.3).
A sponsor that wants to challenge an amber or red rating must send representations within 20 working days of its BCA Outcome Notice (paragraph 2.34). It must show the data was materially flawed. Late representations are considered only in exceptional circumstances.
Related guide
Sources
- Student sponsor guidance, GOV.UK
- Student sponsor compliance (accessible), GOV.UK