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Updated for Sponsor Guidance v03/26

March 2026 Sponsor Guidance: What Changed & How LuwaSuite Has You Covered

The Home Office reported 1,948 licence revocations between July 2024 and June 2025. Here are the 8 critical changes in the March 2026 guidance and the LuwaSuite records that support each workflow.

1,948 licences were revoked between July 2024 and June 2025. The March 2026 guidance introduces per-pay-period salary monitoring (effective 7 April 2026), engaged worker RTW checks, and eligible role reviews.

8 changes. 8 features. Zero gaps.

Every March 2026 requirement mapped to the exact LuwaSuite feature that addresses it.

1
New Rule

Per-pay-period salary threshold

Effective 7 April 2026, sponsors must verify salary compliance every pay period — not just annually.

LuwaSuite

Payroll → Per-Period Compliance

Upload each payslip and record an administrator’s pay-period review against the worker’s confirmed CoS, with action-required evidence kept in the audit trail.

Already live in LuwaSuite
2
New Rule

RTW checks for all engaged workers

RTW obligations now extend to agency staff, contractors, and supplementary workers you engage.

LuwaSuite

Engaged Workers Module

Dedicated module to track engagement details, RTW status, visa expiries, and store compliance documents for non-employee staff.

Already live in LuwaSuite
3
New Rule

Worker rights & welfare acknowledgement

Sponsors must inform workers of their UK employment rights and welfare entitlements (L2.6-L2.7).

LuwaSuite

Policy Library → Worker Rights Template

Pre-built "UK Worker Rights Information" template with tracked in-app acknowledgement per employee.

Already live in LuwaSuite
4
New Rule

Eligible Role reviews throughout sponsorship

The "genuine vacancy" test is replaced by ongoing "eligible role" reviews — not just at CoS assignment.

LuwaSuite

Compliance → Role Reviews

Quarterly manager sign-off workflow to confirm each sponsored role still meets the eligible role criteria.

Already live in LuwaSuite
5
New Rule

Key Personnel & AO governance

Authorising Officers and Key Personnel face strengthened accountability requirements (L4, C1.3).

LuwaSuite

Compliance → Key Personnel Registry

Track all Key Personnel with SMS login monitoring, guidance review alerts, and governance audit trail.

Already live in LuwaSuite
6
New Rule

Per-period salary data in audit reports

Audit packs must now include per-period salary evidence — not just annual figures.

LuwaSuite

Audit Pack → Salary Compliance Report

12-month per-period salary breakdown auto-generated and included in one-click audit packs.

Already live in LuwaSuite
7
New Rule

New SMS reportable events

Salary breaches, role changes, and engaged worker RTW failures are now mandatory SMS reports.

LuwaSuite

SMS Copilot → Updated Workflows

March 2026-aware workflow cards with pre-filled data, correct references, and compliance deadlines.

Already live in LuwaSuite
8
New Rule

Guidance version monitoring

The Home Office expects sponsors to stay current with guidance updates — ignorance is no longer an excuse.

LuwaSuite

AI Advisor → Version-Aware Responses

Every AI answer references the current guidance version (v03/26). Governance log tracks acknowledgement.

Already live in LuwaSuite

Frequently asked questions

When do the March 2026 sponsor guidance changes take effect?
The guidance was published 6 March 2026. Most changes are effective immediately, except the per-pay-period salary threshold which takes effect 7 April 2026.
Do I need to conduct RTW checks on agency staff now?
Yes. The March 2026 guidance extends RTW obligations to all "engaged workers" — including agency staff, contractors, and supplementary workers you use. LuwaSuite's Engaged Workers module tracks this separately from your direct employees.
What is the "eligible role" test replacing?
The old "genuine vacancy" requirement has been replaced by a broader "eligible role" test. This requires ongoing verification that each sponsored role actually exists, requires the duties described on the CoS, and meets skill and salary thresholds throughout the sponsorship — not just at assignment.
How many sponsor licences were revoked in the latest reported 12-month period?
The Home Office reported 1,948 revocations between July 2024 and June 2025, compared with 937 in the previous 12 months.
Is LuwaSuite already updated for the March 2026 guidance?
Yes. LuwaSuite was updated ahead of the guidance publication. All features — including the AI Advisor, SMS Copilot workflows, and compliance scoring — reference the March 2026 (v03/26) guidance.

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