When designing your compliance strategy, focus on these five key areas:
1. Keep Records Accurate and Updated
As a licensed sponsor, it’s crucial to maintain precise and up-to-date records of your sponsored workers and your organization’s operations. These records, whether electronic or physical, must be readily accessible if requested by the Home Office.
Appendix D of the sponsor guidance outlines the specific documents required for each sponsored worker and the retention periods for these records.
2. Timely Reporting of Key Changes
Reporting significant changes affecting your sponsored workers or organization is a fundamental sponsor responsibility.
Changes must be reported within the timeframes specified in the sponsor guidance—typically within 10 or 20 working days, depending on the nature of the change.
3. Conduct Regular Audits
The Home Office routinely monitors compliance through announced or unannounced visits. Regular internal audits can help identify potential gaps in your processes and ensure your organization is fully prepared for a compliance inspection.
4. Adhere to Broader Compliance Requirements
Compliance extends beyond sponsorship duties to encompass adherence to the Immigration Rules, sponsor guidance, and wider UK laws. This includes ensuring roles offered to sponsored workers are genuine and meeting employment law requirements, such as paying the National Minimum Wage, adhering to Working Time Regulations, and enrolling eligible employees in a pension scheme.
The Home Office may take compliance action if a sponsor is found to have engaged in activities deemed harmful to the public good.
5. Provide Ongoing Training
Immigration rules and sponsor guidance are subject to frequent changes. Regular training for HR staff, sponsor licence key personnel, and anyone involved in hiring migrant workers is essential to maintain compliance and stay updated on new requirements.
Support with Sponsor Compliance
We offer expert advice and support to help employers manage their sponsor compliance obligations. Contact us to learn more about our UK immigration services and how we can assist your business with its migrant workforce.