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Wednesday 25 November 2026 | 11:00–12:00 GMT | Free live webinar with Q&A
What really happens during a Home Office sponsor compliance audit?
What happens when a Home Office Compliance Officer audits an employer's sponsor licence? Which records do they request, who do they interview, and how do they establish whether the business is meeting its sponsorship duties?
A compliance audit goes well beyond checking that documents are held on personnel files. Officers may compare what has been reported through the Sponsorship Management System with employment records, payroll information and what sponsored workers say about their roles. Learn more about the ongoing responsibilities involved in protecting your sponsor licence.
In this practical webinar, Ewen McKenzie, Immtell's Head of Sponsor Compliance and a former Home Office Regional Compliance Manager, joins Gavin Webster, Immtell's founder and a former Home Office officer with 23 years of UK immigration experience, to explain how these visits work and what employers can do to prepare.
Key takeaways
- What Home Office Compliance Officers seek to establish during an audit.
- How officers examine sponsored-worker files, right-to-work records, salaries and payroll evidence.
- Why interviews with HR staff and sponsored workers matter.
- How discrepancies between SMS records and day-to-day employment practices can emerge.
- What employers should do to identify and address weaknesses before a visit.
Who should attend?
This webinar is for Authorising Officers, Level 1 Users, HR directors and managers, and anyone responsible for sponsor licence compliance.
Register for the live webinar
Join us on Wednesday 25 November 2026, from 11:00 to 12:00 GMT, including a live Q&A. Attendance is free.
About the speakers
Ewen McKenzie previously served as a Home Office Regional Compliance Manager and now leads sponsor compliance work at Immtell, including mock audits and salary reviews.
Gavin Webster founded Immtell after a career spanning Home Office operational roles and senior positions at EY, PwC and Vialto Partners.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Home Office visit a sponsor without advance notice?
The Home Office can conduct announced or unannounced sponsor compliance visits. Employers should therefore maintain their records and processes throughout the year, rather than preparing only after receiving notification.
Does a compliance audit only involve checking personnel files?
A Home Office compliance audit involves more than checking personnel files. Officers can test whether the sponsor's systems work in practice, including record-keeping, reporting, salary payments and the actual duties performed by sponsored workers.
Who might a Compliance Officer interview?
A Home Office Compliance Officer may interview the Authorising Officer, HR personnel, other staff responsible for sponsorship and sponsored workers, depending on the scope of the visit.
What happens if the Home Office finds compliance problems?
Where the Home Office identifies compliance problems, the outcome depends on the nature and seriousness of the findings. Possible action includes a downgrade to a B rating with an action plan, suspension or revocation of the sponsor licence.
How can an employer prepare for a compliance audit?
Employers can prepare for a compliance audit by reviewing SMS records, sponsored workers' actual duties and salaries, right-to-work evidence and internal reporting processes. A structured mock audit can help identify gaps before a Home Office visit.
