Arriving in the UK on a new sponsored worker visa should be straightforward, but border officers have the power to question arriving passengers and in some cases to refuse entry where they have concerns about the purpose or genuineness of the visit. Sponsored workers can face questions about their employer, their role, their salary, their qualifications, and their understanding of the job they have been sponsored for. Workers who are unprepared for these questions, who give inconsistent answers, or whose documents are not in order can face delays, further examination, or in serious cases a refusal of leave to enter.
Preparation before travel is the most important step. Workers should travel with a complete set of documents including their visa, their Certificate of Sponsorship reference number, their employment contract, and contact details for their employer. They should be able to explain their role, their employer, and their salary clearly and consistently. Where a worker has a complex immigration history or where the Home Office has previously raised concerns about the employer, additional preparation may be appropriate.
NARA Solicitors advises sponsored workers before they travel on what to expect at the border and how to prepare. In cases where there is a specific risk of difficulty at the border, we can advise on what steps to take in advance and how to access assistance if a problem arises on arrival. If a worker has been detained or refused entry at the border, we can advise the employer and the worker urgently on the options available.