Why Are UKVI Audits on the Rise – and What Should Sponsors Expect?

With over 1,000 Home Office staff redeployed to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) enforcement teams, and an 81% rise in the number of civil penalties issued in early 2025, employers, as well as those who are sponsors, face heightened scrutiny. Osheenn Giam and May Cheung from our Business Immigration team explore this sharp increase in UKVI compliance audits and enforcement actions, outlining what sponsors need to prepare for, along with common pitfalls – and how to stay compliant.

A few key points from the discussion:

What is driving the surge in audits?

With the political climate focusing increasingly on UK immigration enforcement, and the government’s Immigration White Paper putting more resources into compliance, the Home Office has ramped up its auditing efforts.

What happens during a Home Office audit?

You can expect checks that authorising officers are aware of their duties, and on processes to monitor sponsored workers. Employee files must be accessible; there will be right to work checks, and interviews with the workers to confirm they are in their sponsored roles.

Are contractors and agency workers now under scrutiny?

While right to work checks are not currently required for non-employees, there has been an apparent shift in compliance officers’ expectations: sponsors are now more frequently being asked about right to work checks for workers not employed by the business.

What are the consequences of non-compliance?

Sponsors risk licence downgrades – meaning they cannot sponsor new workers – as well as suspensions or even revocations. A revoked licence can lead to visa curtailment for workers and their dependants, and a 12-month ban for the sponsor on reapplying.

What counts as a major vs. a minor breach?

Major breaches include having illegal workers, sponsoring nongenuine roles not in line with the conditions, or supplying workers to third parties. Minor breaches, like temporarily being without an authorising officer, or not reporting small changes in details, can still lead to serious consequences if it is evident that there is a series of them.

How can sponsors stay compliant?

It is vital to ensure records are complete and accessible, even during unannounced visits. Regular internal audits, clear right to work processes, and keeping authorising officers well informed of the requirements, duties and processes, are key to avoiding enforcement action.

Is your business audit-ready?

With compliance now a top priority for the Home Office, sponsors must be proactive and prepared. Review your processes, train your teams, and ensure your records are audit-ready, because the consequences of non-compliance are too serious to ignore.