How Should HR Teams Prepare For Sponsor Licence Audits? Compliance Risks And Best Practices

In the last 12 - 18 months we have seen a clear trend in compliance action being taken against licensed sponsors by the Home Office. Representatives from the Home Office themselves have admitted they will now take action to immediately revoke licences where there has been a clear, serious or systematic breach, rather than going through the suspension and investigation process as previously. This seems to be a departure from the enquiry process they were previously operating, despite what sponsor guidance has always stated.

Since the pandemic, compliance audits can take place in-person or over Teams. The Home Office will make the decision about which method it will use and also whether it will be announced (scheduled ahead of time) or unannounced (no prior warning). It is also important to remember that Immigration Enforcement Officers can conduct spot checks or 'raids' on all UK business whether they hold sponsor licences or not; this is normally in relation