At a Glance
- The Home Office is resuming on-site audits for prospective and existing UK sponsors after these were halted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Prospective and existing UK sponsors should be ready in the event they are subject to a compliance audit. Visits can be announced or unannounced.
The situation
According to a Sponsor Management System update, the Home Office is resuming on-site audits for prospective and existing UK sponsors after these were halted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A closer look
During the audits, Home Office officials will be following Public Health England advice in relation to personal protective equipment and social distancing, and will comply with sponsors’ internal measures.
Background
UK sponsors have certain compliance obligations that they must meet by virtue of holding a sponsor licence. The Home Office conducts both targeted and random on-site compliance audits to assess a company's ability to satisfy these compliance obligations as part of the sponsor licence application process and/or once a sponsor licence is in place.
Impact
Prospective and existing UK sponsors should be ready in the event they are subject to a compliance audit. Visits can be announced or unannounced.
Looking ahead
Sponsors and foreign nationals should be prepared for the immigration system changes that will be phased in until January 2021, when free movement from the European Union comes to an end.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected]
Explore more at Fragomen
Fragomen news
Fragomen is recognized on Law360 Pulse's 2025 Social Impact Leaders list.
Awards
Partner F. Joseph Paldino is recognized with the Utah State Bar’s Paul Moxley Outstanding Mentor Award for his dedication to mentorship in immigration law and fostering professional growth in the legal community.
Blog post
In this blog, Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains how modern immigration compliance must evolve from paperwork and formality into a strategic governance discipline that aligns outdated laws with today’s business realities and measures true compliance through systems, behavior and integrity.
Video
Senior Manager Fatima Aydin breaks down Irish citizenship by descent, a popular pathway for individuals of Irish ancestry to secure Irish citizenship and passport.
Awards
Eight Fragomen professionals in Mexico City recognized in The Best Lawyers in Mexico™ 2026 edition for excellence in Immigration Law.
Fragomen news
Partner Blake Chisam discusses DHS’s proposed rule expanding biometric data collection and continuous vetting, outlining key privacy and compliance implications for employers.
Fragomen news
Awards
Fragomen is recognized at the National Tier 1 level for Immigration Law in the 2026 edition of The Best Law Firms – United States, with 15 offices across the country also recognized for their excellence in immigration law.
Awards
Fragomen receives Altair Global’s 2025 Super Star Award for Humanitarian Commitment, honoring the firm’s leadership in advancing humanitarian mobility initiatives.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canada’s 2025 federal budget and its significant shift in immigration policy including new limits on international student permits and temporary residents.
Fragomen news
Fragomen news
Fragomen is cited in the UK House of Lords’ landmark report, “The Space Economy: Act Now or Lose Out,” published on 4 November by the UK Engagement with Space Committee.
Fragomen news
Fragomen is recognized on Law360 Pulse's 2025 Social Impact Leaders list.
Awards
Partner F. Joseph Paldino is recognized with the Utah State Bar’s Paul Moxley Outstanding Mentor Award for his dedication to mentorship in immigration law and fostering professional growth in the legal community.
Blog post
In this blog, Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains how modern immigration compliance must evolve from paperwork and formality into a strategic governance discipline that aligns outdated laws with today’s business realities and measures true compliance through systems, behavior and integrity.
Video
Senior Manager Fatima Aydin breaks down Irish citizenship by descent, a popular pathway for individuals of Irish ancestry to secure Irish citizenship and passport.
Awards
Eight Fragomen professionals in Mexico City recognized in The Best Lawyers in Mexico™ 2026 edition for excellence in Immigration Law.
Fragomen news
Partner Blake Chisam discusses DHS’s proposed rule expanding biometric data collection and continuous vetting, outlining key privacy and compliance implications for employers.
Fragomen news
Awards
Fragomen is recognized at the National Tier 1 level for Immigration Law in the 2026 edition of The Best Law Firms – United States, with 15 offices across the country also recognized for their excellence in immigration law.
Awards
Fragomen receives Altair Global’s 2025 Super Star Award for Humanitarian Commitment, honoring the firm’s leadership in advancing humanitarian mobility initiatives.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canada’s 2025 federal budget and its significant shift in immigration policy including new limits on international student permits and temporary residents.
Fragomen news
Fragomen news
Fragomen is cited in the UK House of Lords’ landmark report, “The Space Economy: Act Now or Lose Out,” published on 4 November by the UK Engagement with Space Committee.