Immigration

[Raspberry06]

Hello, two employees can work in the UK until May 2024 but they have since asked us to provide sponsorship for them to extend their visa to stay in the UK. As a business, this is not something we do and I wondered if we can say no.

Please do not take this as being selfish, but the whole process is complicated and costly.

Do you know any pitfalls if we were to say no we don't provide a sponsorship scheme?

Many thanks

Well, presumably you’ll lose your employees in May.

They’ll find alternative employment who do provide sponsorship

So just tell them now that it’s a no

Of course you can say no, but do it quickly so they have the best opportunity to find an alternative

“I’ve had a look for you and unfortunately we don’t have the license for sponsorship.” Is all that needs to be said

Yes of course you can say no.

If the employee has been there for more than two years then the reason for dismissal you should provide is Statutory Illegality or breach of a statutory restriction which is one of the five fair reasons for dismissal.