A sponsor licence is a vital tool for UK businesses that want to employ skilled workers from overseas. But holding a licence is not a one-time approval – it comes with ongoing duties. To make sure employers meet these responsibilities, the Home Office (through UK Visas and Immigration, or UKVI) conducts compliance visits.
These visits are designed to check whether a business is complying with sponsor obligations. If inspectors find serious failings, the Home Office can downgrade, suspend or even revoke the licence. For employers, understanding what happens during a compliance visit is key to avoiding penalties and protecting their ability to sponsor workers.
Types of compliance visits
Compliance visits can happen at different stages of the sponsorship process.
- Pre-licence visits take place before a sponsor licence is granted. Inspectors will assess whether the business is genuine, whether its HR systems are strong enough to manage sponsorship duties, and whether the roles on offer are legitimate.
- Post-licence visits are carried out once a licence has been issued. These are designed to check that the sponsor continues to comply with its duties, including monitoring sponsored workers, keeping records and reporting key changes.
- Visits can be announced or unannounced. In some cases, the Home Office will notify the business in advance. In others, inspectors will arrive without warning, often where concerns have been raised or intelligence suggests non-compliance.
What inspectors look for during visits
During a compliance visit, inspectors will carry out a detailed review of how the business manages its sponsor duties. This usually involves:
- Checking HR records – Inspectors will review right-to-work documents, copies of passports and visas, employment contracts, attendance and absence logs and evidence of ongoing monitoring.
- Reviewing Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) – They will ensure that CoS have been assigned correctly, that job roles match what was approved and that salary and skill levels meet the rules.
- Testing HR systems – Inspectors assess whether the company has reliable processes in place to track start dates, absences, changes in job roles or early terminations, and whether these are reported via the Sponsorship Management System (SMS).
- Verifying business activity – The Home Office needs to see that the employer is genuinely trading and that the sponsored roles are real and necessary.
- Conducting interviews – Key personnel such as the Authorising Officer or HR managers may be interviewed, along with sponsored workers themselves. This helps confirm that job descriptions are accurate and that workers are carrying out the roles stated in their visa applications.
The outcome of a compliance visit can vary. In some cases, the licence will remain unaffected. But if inspectors find failings, the Home Office can downgrade the licence to a B-rating, suspend it pending further investigation or revoke it entirely.
What this means for employers
Compliance visits are an unavoidable part of holding a sponsor licence. They are designed to protect the integrity of the immigration system, but they can also create stress and disruption for employers. The best way to prepare is to ensure HR systems are watertight, records are up to date and key staff are trained on their responsibilities.
At Osbourne Pinner Solicitors, we support businesses before, during and after compliance visits. Whether you need help strengthening processes or responding to a suspension notice, our UK immigration lawyers can guide you through the steps needed to protect your workforce and your licence.
If you’d like a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your case, simply call us on 0203 983 5080, email [email protected] or fill out the form below. We’re on hand to help in Harrow, Canary Wharf, Piccadilly Circus and Manchester – as well as remotely via video call.
