During the routine compliance visits, UKVI will send a visiting officer to the business, charity or education provider in question. They will ask questions about areas of sponsor compliance. The questions check that the sponsor is – or is likely to be – compliant with the duties set out in the sponsor guidance.
There is also caseworker guidance. Although this is intended for UKVI’s officers to follow, does it provide some hints for sponsors and legal advisors?
For example, it confirms that if you ask for a copy of the officer’s notes from the visit, they must be provided “immediately” if photocopying facilities are available on site. If not, a copy has to be sent to you by post. In practice, the notes can usually be sent by email. The important thing is that many sponsors don’t realise they are able to ask for the notes —which can be critical if the licence is suspended.
Will UKVI take enforcement action against sponsors?
Because compliance visits stopped down during lockdown, this has had a knock-on effect on enforcement action. The most recently published sponsorship transparency data (February 2021) shows that the number of suspensions of Tier 2 sponsor licences fell to zero in the last quarter of 2020.
It is expected that enforcement will increase again over the coming months now that the compliance visits have resumed.
Immigration Solicitors Rochdale, Manchester and Oldham
If you have any questions about the matters that are raised in this article and are in need of the help of Oldham immigration solicitors, Manchester Immigration solicitors or Rochdale immigration solicitors then contact Scarsdale Solicitors Manchester Solicitors, Rochdale Solicitors or Oldham Solicitors on 0161 660 6050 and we will be happy to help.
