The Biggest Mistakes Brighton Employers Make With Sponsor Licences (And How to Avoid Them)

Right to work checks aren’t just for sponsored workers, they apply to your entire workforce. Too often, Brighton employers focus on sponsored staff but forget British, casual or part-time hires.

One client, a hospitality group in Sussex, was fined because their casual bar staff weren’t properly checked. Even though their sponsored workers were compliant, the Home Office viewed this as a failure of the business as a whole.

How to avoid it: Make right to work checks a universal process. Use the online Home Office system where possible, and keep clear evidence on file. Train line managers, not just HR, to stay up-to-date with the latest right-to-work requirements. Anyone making hires should understand the rules.

6. Over-relying on external solicitors without an immigration focus

Some Brighton companies lean heavily on solicitors who don’t specialise in immigration. While these firms may be excellent in other areas of law, they often lack the day-to-day familiarity with Home Office sponsor licence duties. This can leave businesses exposed when something goes wrong.

At Immtell, we’ve been called in more than once after a generalist firm gave incomplete or outdated advice. The employer thought they were covered, but when the Home Office visited, they were unprepared.

How to avoid it: Choose support from specialists. At Immtell, sponsor compliance is our daily work. We’re regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA, registration number F20220010) and focus solely on immigration and global mobility, not as an add-on to other legal services.

Why Brighton businesses are especially exposed right now

Brighton’s economy is powered by sectors like digital, creative industries, gaming, hospitality, and green technology. These are precisely the kinds of businesses that rely on international talent. They’re also sectors where rapid growth, project-based work, and high staff turnover make compliance management more challenging.

Add to this the fact that the Home Office has been ramping up enforcement in 2025, with more compliance audits and higher fines, and Brighton employers face real risks if they slip up.

How to protect your Home Office sponsor licence

Avoiding these mistakes isn’t about adding more admin; it’s about building habits and systems that keep your business safe. Here’s what works best:

• Create a compliance calendar for reporting duties
• Keep all sponsored worker files in one secure place
• Double check SOC codes and salary thresholds before assigning a CoS
• Train managers and teams regularly on sponsor duties and right to work checks
• Schedule mock immigration audits to test your systems under real conditions

Immtell is based in Brighton and London, with deep roots in Sussex. Our team brings over two decades of experience at the Home Office and in senior roles at Big Four firms, combined with a practical understanding of how local businesses operate.

We’re not just advisors, we’re regulated immigration specialists who know how to prepare you for the reality of Home Office scrutiny. We support employers across sponsor licence applications, compliance reviews, and training, as well as visa cases for your staff.

We also publish clear, transparent pricing so you know where you stand. For example, our mock audits have fixed fees rather than open-ended hourly rates, giving you clarity from the outset.

Take action: book a mock immigration compliance audit

The biggest mistake employers make is waiting until the Home Office knocks on the door. By then, it’s often too late. A mock compliance audit gives you the chance to find and fix problems in a safe environment.

At Immtell, our audits replicate a real Home Office visit. They are typically led by Gavin Webster, our Managing Director, who previously worked as a Home Office compliance officer and held senior roles at Big Four firms. Gavin brings the perspective of someone who has conducted audits on behalf of the Home Office, providing you with an insider's view of what officers look for and how to prepare.

We review your records, interview your staff, and test your systems. You receive a full risk report and practical steps to fix any gaps. It’s the fastest way to protect your licence and avoid disruption to your business.

Ready to protect your sponsor licence?

Get an instant idea of costs with our pricing estimator and see how a mock compliance audit could safeguard your business.

Conclusion

Brighton employers face unique challenges with Home Office sponsorship licences. The city’s thriving sectors depend on international talent, but compliance duties are complex and constantly changing. The mistakes outlined here, failing to report changes, poor record-keeping, misusing SOC codes, neglecting compliance, ignoring right to work checks, or relying on the wrong advisors, are avoidable if you know what to watch for.

By investing in robust processes and stress-testing them through a mock compliance audit, you protect not just your licence but the future of your business.

At Immtell, we’re here to help Brighton employers stay compliant, confident, and ready for growth.