Immigration Licence Compliance Duties

The UK’s sponsorship system is set up to ensure that businesses who benefit from migration play their part in maintaining compliance within the immigration system. For sponsor licence holders, this requires meeting additional duties which come into the force from the moment the licence is granted. 

Record-keeping duties

These duties require that specified documents are kept and retained for both the licence and every sponsored worker. 

Reporting duties

These duties require that key changes for the business and the sponsored worker are reported to the Home Office within a set period of time. 

Compliance with UK immigration laws

These duties include (but are not limited to) ensuring the correct right to work checks are done, ensuring only eligible workers are sponsored and complying with the voluminous sponsor guidance. 

Compliance with wider UK law

This is a much wider duty to ensure that your business is fully compliant with UK law. Are you a business that must be registered with a statutory body to operate lawfully in the UK? The Home Office will check that. They will check that you are meeting UK employment law,  such as by paying your employees in compliance with the National Minimum Wage. They will check you are complying with UK tax laws. 

Behaviour that is not conducive to the public good

The Home Office expect all sponsor licence holders to behave in a manner which is consistent with the UK’s fundamental values and is not detrimental to the wider public good. 

Compliance checks

The Home Office monitors their sponsor licence holders to ensure they are compliant and for those who are not, they will take action against them. Action may include the preventing you from hiring new sponsored workers or, in the most serious of circumstances, reporting your business to the police or other relevant authorities. 

Ensuring sponsor licence compliance is understood and adhered to is vital for all sponsor licence holders. With so much to remember, it’s very easy to forget that important document from your worker or reporting that change of circumstance to the Home Office. Freeths’ immigration solicitors are compliance champions and are on hand to support your business. We can train your staff on all their sponsor licence duties. We can be representatives on your licence and conduct all your reports to the Home Office. We can prepare your vital policy documents.  Not sure your business is ship shape for a licence or ready for a Home Office compliance visit? We can conduct mock audits and review your sponsor compliance. 

If you require legal assistance or would just like to discuss your situation with one of our experts, please contact our immigration solicitors.