Sponsor Licence Compliance Audits and UKVI Visit Preparation
We review your sponsored worker files, right-to-work checks, reporting and HR processes against your sponsor duties. You get a clear written report and an action plan, so you find any problems before UKVI does.
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Why Sponsors Need a Compliance Audit
Holding a sponsor licence (sometimes called a sponsorship licence or sponsor license) comes with ongoing duties. UKVI checks those duties through compliance visits, data matching with HMRC and reports in the sponsor management system (SMS). Many problems we see are not deliberate. They are missed reports, incomplete files or a sponsored worker whose role or pay has drifted from what was on their Certificate of Sponsorship.
A solicitor-led compliance audit finds these issues while you can still fix them, before they lead to a downgrade, suspension or revocation.
What Our Sponsor Licence Audit Covers
Sponsored worker files
We check that you hold the documents the sponsor guidance requires for each sponsored worker. That includes right-to-work evidence, recruitment records, contact details and proof that the worker started on time.
Right-to-work checks
We check that right-to-work checks were done correctly and on time, using the right method (manual, online or through an identity service provider). We also check that follow-up checks are diarised for workers with time-limited permission.
Reporting duties
We review your SMS reporting history against what happened in practice. You must report changes such as a worker not starting, unauthorised absences, changes of role, salary or work location, and the end of employment, usually within ten working days.
Genuine roles and salaries
We compare each worker’s actual duties, hours and pay with their Certificate of Sponsorship. We check that salaries still meet the thresholds that apply to them and that the occupation code is still correct.
Key personnel and SMS access
We check that your Authorising Officer, Key Contact and Level 1 Users are still the right people and are still eligible. We also check that they understand their responsibilities and that SMS access is controlled.
HR policies and processes
We review recruitment, onboarding, absence monitoring and leaver processes. We give you practical checklists so that compliance does not depend on one person.
Preparing for a UKVI Compliance Visit
If a visit has been announced, or you think one is likely, we:
- carry out a focused pre-visit review of your highest-risk files
- run mock interview sessions with your Authorising Officer, HR team and, where appropriate, sponsored workers
- help you fix gaps that can be fixed before the visit
- advise on what to say, and what not to say, on the day
After the visit we help you respond to any findings or action plan from UKVI.
What You Receive
- A written audit report setting out compliance risks by priority
- A practical action plan with clear owners and deadlines
- Template checklists and policies for your HR team
- Optional training for key personnel and HR staff
We recommend an audit at least once a year. You should also have one after a change in HR staff or systems, before a big recruitment drive, or straight away if UKVI contacts you.
Related Help
- Applying for a new licence? See sponsor licence applications.
- Licence suspended, downgraded or revoked? See sponsor licence suspension and revocation.
- Want to check your own processes first? Read our guide to preparing for a UKVI compliance audit.
We advise sponsors across the UK from our London and Milton Keynes offices, in person or by video.
Common Questions
What is a sponsor licence compliance audit?
It is an independent review of how your organisation meets its sponsor duties. We check your sponsored worker files, right-to-work checks, reporting history in the SMS, and whether each worker's actual job and pay match their Certificate of Sponsorship. You then get a written report with the risks and the steps to fix them.
Will UKVI tell me before a compliance visit?
Not always. UKVI can carry out announced or unannounced visits, before or after a licence is granted. That is why we recommend auditing at least once a year, and straight away if you have had a change in HR staff, systems or key personnel.
What happens if a compliance visit finds problems?
Depending on how serious the problems are, UKVI may downgrade your licence to a B-rating with an action plan, suspend the licence while it investigates, or revoke it. Finding and fixing problems before a visit greatly reduces that risk.
How long does an audit take?
For most SMEs an audit takes a few days, including a document review and interviews with HR and key personnel. Larger sponsors with many sponsored workers may need a sample-based audit over a longer period. We agree the timetable with you in advance.
Is our audit advice confidential?
Advice from a solicitor can be covered by legal professional privilege. This is one reason many employers prefer a solicitor-led audit to an internal or consultancy review. We explain how privilege applies at the start.
This page provides general information about Sponsor Licence Compliance Audit and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact us for a consultation.
Protect Your Sponsor Licence
We offer a short initial call, free of charge, to understand your licence and any concerns. We confirm the scope and fee for an audit in writing before we start.