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.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.