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How Your HR Software Can Secure Your A-Rating and Boost Your CoS Allocation?
How Your HR Software Can Secure Your A-Rating and Boost Your CoS Allocation?
For any UK business with a sponsor licence, maintaining an A-rating is not just a matter of pride; it's a business-critical necessity. Your A-rating is a testament to your trustworthiness in the eyes of the Home Office, and it directly impacts your ability to secure the Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) you need to hire sponsored employees. But with the ever-present threat of compliance slip-ups, how can you ensure you stay on the right side of the regulations and keep your A-rating intact? The answer may lie in the HR software you use every day.
The A-Rating: Your Gateway to CoS requests being granted
An A-rating is the gold standard for sponsor licence holders. It signifies that you have the robust systems and processes in place to meet your sponsor duties effectively. Without it, your ability to sponsor new workers is severely restricted. A downgrade to a B-rating can trigger a costly and time-consuming action plan to regain your A-rated status. In the worst-case scenario, you could have your licence suspended or even revoked.
Let's focus first on what the key to maintaining your A-rating is demonstrating robust compliance with all your sponsor duties. This includes:
- Flawless Record-Keeping: Maintaining detailed and up-to-date records for all your sponsored workers.
- Timely Reporting: Notifying the Home Office of any relevant changes to a sponsored worker's circumstances within the strict deadlines.
- Accurate Right-to-Work Checks: Conducting and recording right-to-work checks correctly for all employees.
- Meticulous Absence Monitoring: Tracking and authorising all employee absences.
The CoS Connection: Fuelling Your Growth
Your CoS allocation is the fuel for your growth for your business, so you are able to continue hiring the sponsored employees you need. The more CoS you have, the more skilled workers you can bring on board to help your business grow. The Home Office is more likely to grant a generous CoS allocation to businesses with a proven track record of compliance.
If you're struggling to maintain your HR Home Office compliance, your requests for more CoS are likely to be met with scrutiny, and you may find your allocation reduced. This can put a major brake on your expansion plans and leave you unable to fill critical recruitment gaps.
IRS HR: Your Partner in A-Rated Compliance
This is where your HR software can become your most valuable asset. At IRS HR, we've designed our platform with the specific challenges of sponsor licence holders in mind. We provide the tools you need to make compliance an effortless part of your daily routine, so you can maintain your A-rating and secure the CoS you need to thrive.
Here's how IRS HR helps you stay on top of your sponsor duties:
- Automated Compliance Management: Our system automates many of the time-consuming tasks associated with sponsor compliance. From visa expiry alerts to reminders for follow-up right-to-work checks, we've got you covered.
- Centralised Document Hub: Keep all your more than 40 compliance-related documents per sponsored employee, from passports and visas to employment contracts and right-to-work check records, in one secure and easily accessible place.
- Streamlined Reporting: Our platform makes it easy for you to report the changes you are making to the Home Office, saving you time and reducing the risk of errors.
- Effortless Absence Management: Track and manage employee absences with ease, ensuring you have a complete and accurate record for every sponsored worker.
With IRS HR, you can be confident that you're always "inspection-ready." Our platform gives you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your compliance is under control, so you can focus on what really matters: building a world-class team and growing your business.
Don't let compliance worries hold you back. Discover how IRS HR can help you maintain your A-rating, boost your CoS allocation, and unlock your business's full potential. Contact us today for a free demo.
Still not sure? Book your free demo of IRS HR to see in action how we make you 100% HR sponsor compliant and help you secure CoS, and safeguard your sponsor licence 24X7. Limited demo slots available. Hurry!
The above Blog is not a substitute for legal advice. Always refer to the latest guidance on the GOV.UK website. We recommend consulting an immigration solicitor for further help. Last updated based on guidance available as of June 2025