When an organisation/company is granted a sponsor license, the Home Office expects a high level of compliance with its sponsor duties and compliance policy.
Here are 5 key steps to safeguard your sponsor licence and ensure compliance.
- Maintaining accurate records is crucial for sponsor licence compliance
Keeping detailed and up-to-date records is crucial for sponsor licence compliance. Ensure you have:
- An up-to-date Log of workers that require a visa to work or remain in the UK with all required details
- Complete personnel files for all sponsored employees and those that a require a visa to
- Accurate attendance and absence records
- Copies of right-to-work documents
Regularly audit your records to identify and address any gaps or inaccuracies.
- Ensure you report any relevant changes to employee or organisation changes
Report any relevant changes to the Home Office within the required timeframes:
- Changes to sponsored employees’ circumstances within 10 working days
- Significant changes to your organization within 20 working days
This includes changes in job roles, work locations, contact details, and company structure.
- Conduct regular internal audits
Perform mock compliance audits or annual “health checks” to identify potential issues:
- Review your HR systems and processes
- Check sponsored employees are in appropriate roles
- Verify all required documents are on file
- Ensure key personnel understand their responsibilities
Consider instructing an immigration advisor to assist with internal audit.
- Train Key Personnel
Provide comprehensive compliance training to all staff involved in sponsorship duties:
- Authorising officers
- Level 1 Users
- HR personnel
- Hiring managers
Consider instructing an immigration advisor to assist you with your training needs and cover topics like sponsor duties, right-to-work checks, and reporting requirements
- Prepare for Compliance Visits
Be ready for potential unannounced Home Office audits:
- Have an action plan in place
- Ensure key personnel are available for interviews
- Organise files for easy access
- Review your sponsorship processes regularly
It is always best to be cautious and maintain a proactive approach to compliance, enabling you to help pass audits successfully and reduce the risk of licence suspension or revocation and or other legal consequences.
Reach out for legal advice
If you are considering making an application for a fee waiver you should be aware the requirements are not easy to satisfy. It is best to always seek expert legal advice to navigate the requirements to ensure a successful first-time outcome.
If you require any help or assistance with the application or have any questions surrounding it, then our team of Immigration Solicitors at Kidd Rapinet in Canary Wharf would be pleased to help you. You can contact us on telephone 0207 925 0303 or use the form provided.
These materials and content have been prepared for the benefit of their viewers/readers. They are intended for marketing purposes only and are of a general nature and do not constitute legal advice applicable to any particular facts or circumstances. Kidd Rapinet LLP and/or the author(s) accept no duty of care, responsibility or liability for any loss or damage which you or any third party may suffer as a result of any reliance or use by you or them of these marketing materials and content, except to the extent it is not legally possible to exclude such liability. If you require legal advice on your own situation, please contact us so we can discuss how we may assist.