Immigration Compliance: For Employers & Businesses

Why is Immigration Compliance Important?

If you are a UK business owner who employs one or many migrant workers, it is vital to understand immigration enforcement in the UK and the codes of practice to prevent recruiting illegal immigrant workers.

With significant reforms post-Brexit and post-COVID, it’ is important to stay up-to-date with immigration policy changes. Therefore, carrying out immigration compliance audits when hiring overseas workers prevents you as an employer from committing a criminal offence by employing migrant workers that do not have the right to work in the UK.

By conducting these right-to-work checks and complying with UK workplace laws, you are ensuing that your business avoids reputational damage as well as avoiding costly criminal penalties of up to £45,000 for a first breach and potentially up to five years imprisonment.

The Importance Of Regular Immigration Compliance Audits

Regular immigration compliance audits are necessary to strengthen risk management processes and avoid having your Sponsor License revoked.

Carrying out compliance audits regularly on overseas workers is essential to guarantee that you as an employer are following the correct code of practice and when it comes to employing migrant staff.

Regular compliance audits are also crucial for highlighting any gaps in your HR processes and employment practices, such as neglecting to keep track of new rules and regulations or failing to establish the status of workers’ visas.

When And How Often Should You Get Immigration Compliance Audits?

It is recommended that you carry out a compliance audit for your UK business at least once every three years. For migrant workers with limited leave to remain in the UK, it is a must for businesses to carry out annual right-to-work checks.

You should consider a compliance audit for your UK business if:

• The Home Office has organised a visit to your business’s premises
• You have not being using compliance audit systems
• A compliance audit has not been carried out within the last two years
• Your Sponsor Licence needs renewing or you are applying for one for the first time
• There are concerns regarding employees’ rights to work in the UK
• If you operate within the food or catering industry

A compliance audit is a vital way to ensure your business is following all the Home Office regulations and that you are not at risk of financial or reputation loss.

Immigration Compliance Audit Cost

At IAS, we can offer a tailored step-by-step immigration compliance audit service that will train you how to ensure your business never breaches the law or is exposed to risk, through thorough reporting and record keeping.

If you wish to use our immigration compliance audit service, the cost of conducting an immigration compliance audit will vary depending on the type and size of business.

At IAS, our team of qualified UK immigration lawyers will help you get the best advice for your specific business’s needs. Contact our expert team on 0333 305 9375 to discuss further.

How Can IAS Help?

To find out about the immigration compliance audit service we provide, and for more advice on immigration compliance in the UK for businesses, call IAS on 0333 305 9375.

At IAS, our expert and dedicated team offers mock compliance visit audits to help businesses and employers prepare for Home Office and UK immigration enforcement officer visits.

The Home Office may inform you if they plan to visit, or they may visit unannounced, so it’s important to be audit-ready.

We will thoroughly assess your current HR processes, to help you implement immigration law best practices for right-to-work checks for overseas workers.

If you would like to learn more about compliance obligations, impact of illegal working, sponsor duties, how to avoid gaps in your compliance, and other immigration matters, call us for a consultation today or get in touch online. We are here to assist you with any legal queries you may have.