COVID-19: UKVI to resume on-site compliance visits for Sponsor licence holders

What is the change? United Kingdom immigration authorities are poised to resume on-site sponsorship compliance visits that were suspended in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What does the change mean? Employers should prepare for the possibility of compliance visits, which may be announced or unannounced.

• Implementation time frame: Ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: All visa types held by employees of an organization which holds a sponsorship licence.
• Who is affected: All sponsors of foreign workers.
• Business impact: Employers may wish to review sponsorship obligations to make sure they are compliant ahead of compliance visits.

Background: The U.K. suspended compliance auditing in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials notified sponsors last week that they would be resuming on-site compliance visits shortly. Officers have been instructed to follow Public Health England advice as well as any COVID-19 safety measures companies have put in place themselves.

Analysis & Comments: Employers should note that compliance visits will resume shortly and that such visits may be announced or unannounced. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for country-specific information.

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