VAT documents for sponsorship licence

[Shamino]

Hi again

Today i spoke with my boss and it appears that the company is having trouble with obtaining the VAT official documents from HMRC required to apply for the licence to sponsor

Its a bit frustrating, especially given my Tier 5 visa is about the expire in August

Has anyone employer experience the same dilemma?

[Shamino]

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Shamino]

Can someone provide guidance to obtaining the official VAT documents?

My employer seems to be struggling to get a hold of these documents and time is running out for me

[manci]

A duplicate VAT registration certificate can be requested by phoning the HMRC VAT helpline on
0845 010 9000 or
0845 010 8500

[Shamino]

Hi Manci

Thank you very much for responding

Just one question

Would the UK Boarder Agency allow for duplicates?

From what I've been reading, they're very very strict on original copies

I've also read somewhere that VAT is done online and this usually causes a bit of problems with obtaining the official document

[manci]

I reckon the duplicate HMRC will isue will have the same status as the original (it is not a copy, it is a duplicate) but if you have any doubts ring the employers' helpline to confirms (0300 123 4699).

VAT returns are done online but one cannot get a dulicate VAT registration certificate that way. When the company rings the number I gave they will ask various security questions and the duplicate certificate will be posted to the company's address.

[Shamino]

I just called the employer hotline, and they wanted the original certified VAT documents

They mentioned that they accept a minimum of 4 documents, and I had a talk with my boss, but seemingly he mentioned that the other alternative documents are hard to come by or they can obtain it, like the original leasing agreement ><

I've asked my boss about the sponsorship since January, only for it to be June right now, and they still haven't submitted their application

Its frustrating to not be in control, all I can do is try to help my boss where I can, but time is running out come early August

Thanks again Manci, really appreciate ur assistance

[manci]

Since I was pretty certain that a duplicate VAT registration certificate issued by HMRC would be acceptable as an original document in support of a sponsor licence application I also rang the Employer Helpline (0300 123 4699). First I got the same answer as you did from the person who answered the phone but then requested that he double checks it. He went away and consulted with somebody and came back to say that a duplicate issued by HMRC would be acceptable.

All telephone conversations with the UKBA Employer Helpline are recorded and can be referred to. This conversation took place @ 9.25 a.m. today 22 June and the UKBA advisor who took the call was Garry.

[Shamino]

Hi Manci

Thanks again for calling

I will run this with my boss

I just called the employer hotline and spoke to someone who wasn't particularly helpful.

I tried to ask for confirmation on duplicate copies issued by the HMRC, and if there was any information on the website to confirm this.

She just mentioned to refer to Appendix A

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... iew=Binary

Would you happen to know the person who provided the confirmation?

Perhaps I can ask for their email to send a confirmation email that a duplicate issued by HMRC is acceptable to cover both ends.

Thanks again

[manci]

I gave you the details in my previous post:

All telephone conversations with the UKBA Employer Helpline are recorded and can be referred to. This conversation took place @ 9.25 a.m. today 22 June and the UKBA advisor who took the call was Garry.

A duplicate issued by HMRC has the same status as the original. Just call them and refer to my telephone call (I gave no name). If they still give the same info as you has before ask them to refer the question to a senior person.

[Shamino]

Hi Manci

Just got an update from my boss

We have the original VAT certificate now, but what we also need is a certification from HMRC that the returns have been made. Returns are made over the internet these days and HMRC sends an electronic receipt and acknowledgement but the Border Agency doesn’t accept electronic acknowledgements. The person responsible for VAT at our company phoned the HMRC helpline who told them that’s all they issue. I then phoned the helpline myself, got through to someone different who told me the process to get the originals. I sent this detailed process to our company together with how they should phrase their request and they did that a few weeks ago but HMRC can easily take a long time which is why I’ve also been trying for the certificate for Employers Liability and chased that up yesterday and am about to follow up again today.

Whats your thoughts on the certification from HMRC?

I originally thought once HMRC issued the original documents, it would be certified.

Looking forward to your response

Cheers

[manci]

The requirements for what documents need to or can be submitted in support of a sponsor licence application are quite clearly set out in Appendix A:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... iew=Binary

[Shamino]

Yes we have reviewed Appendix A

Whilst UK Boarder Agency requires a minimum of 4 supporting documents and from my talks with my boss, we're quite limited on the supporting documents we can obtain

hence why he was looking for the Employer Liability insurance certificate original documents...

I just wish there was an easier way to obtain these documents without the extensive delay...