Sponsor compliance audit solicitors in St AlbansFind and fix gaps before the Home Office does.
A fixed-fee audit, with monthly support if you want it.
- Fixed fees, agreed upfront
- Solicitor-led, St Albans office
- Reply within 1 working day
Sponsor compliance audit
£1,750+ VAT
£2,100 including VAT
- Included
- Review of HR records for each sponsored worker
- Right to work and reporting checks
- Salary and job description checks
- Written report with an action plan
- Not included
Home Office fees, such as Certificate of Sponsorship fees, the Immigration Skills Charge, and the fee for an action plan if your licence is downgraded, are paid directly to the Home Office and aren't included.
- Typical timescale
- Written report within 10 working days of our review
- Award-winningBest Immigration Lawyer in St Albans, Quality Business Awards 2023 (opens in a new tab)
- 4.9 out of 5From 100+ Google reviews (opens in a new tab)
- Since 2009SRA-regulated, no. 635480 (opens in a new tab)
- Fixed feesAgreed in writing before we start
- 1 working dayTo reply to every message
- English, বাংলা, اردو, हिन्दीLanguages we speak
What it costs
A fixed fee for the audit, agreed before we start, and an optional monthly retainer.
| Service | Our fee | Including VAT |
|---|---|---|
Sponsor compliance auditWhat's included
Timescale: Written report within 10 working days of our review | £1,750+ VAT£2,100 incl. VAT | £2,100 |
Monthly compliance retainerWhat's included
Timescale: Ongoing, monthly. Cancel with 30 days' notice | £300+ VAT per month£360 incl. VAT | £360 per month |
| Immigration consultation (30 minutes)With a solicitor. Credited against our fees if you instruct us. | £150+ VAT£180 incl. VAT | £180 |
Our fees are + VAT at 20%. They don't include Home Office fees, which you pay directly to the Home Office.
Other costs you'll pay
- Sponsor action plan (if your licence is downgraded)£1,579
- Certificate of Sponsorship (Skilled Worker)£525
Per worker. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Immigration Skills Charge£480 or £1,320 a year
Per worker: £480 a year for small or charitable sponsors, £1,320 a year for medium or large sponsors. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
Official fees have no VAT and are paid directly, not to us. Correct at 27 October 2026; the Home Office usually changes its fees in April and October. Estimates are marked "about" or "usually".
Home Office fees, such as Certificate of Sponsorship fees, the Immigration Skills Charge, and the fee for an action plan if your licence is downgraded, are paid directly to the Home Office and aren't included.
Key stages and timescales
- Agreeing the scope: Before we start, at a time that suits you
- Reviewing your records: Usually 1 to 2 days, at your premises or remotely
- Written report: Within 10 working days of our review
We agree the scope and timing of your audit with you before we start. If a Home Office visit is coming up, tell us the date when you get in touch.
Your fixed fee, in writing, before we start.
Tell us about your situation on a free call and we'll confirm the fee that applies to you.
Book a free call for your quoteIs this you?
Not sure? Answer 3 quick questions or book a free call and tell us what's happened.
- You hold a sponsor licence and want to know whether you'd pass a Home Office compliance visit.
- Your HR team has changed, or you're not sure your records and reporting are up to date.
- You've been told to expect a visit, or your licence has been downgraded, and you need help now.
What our audit covers
Step 1: Review your records
We check the records you must keep for each sponsored worker, including right to work checks, contact details, and attendance.
Step 2: Check pay and roles
We check each sponsored worker is paid at least the salary on their Certificate of Sponsorship every pay period, and is doing the job it describes.
Step 3: Check reporting and key personnel
We check you've reported changes on the sponsor management system (SMS) on time, and that your key personnel details are correct.
Step 4: Written report and action plan
You get a written report explaining any gaps, how serious they are, and what to do to fix them.
Step 5: Ongoing support
With our monthly retainer, we help you report changes, assign Certificates of Sponsorship, and answer day-to-day sponsor questions.
Your duties as a sponsor
As a licence holder, you must keep certain records for each sponsored worker, report changes on the sponsor management system (SMS) within strict deadlines, and carry out right to work checks for every employee.
You must check each pay period that sponsored workers are paid at least the salary on their Certificate of Sponsorship, and that they're doing the job it describes. You must not pass sponsorship costs, such as the licence fee, Certificate of Sponsorship fee, or Immigration Skills Charge, on to your workers.
Home Office compliance visits
The Home Office can visit at any time, with or without notice. Officers may interview your key personnel and sponsored workers, and look at your records. If they find problems, your licence can be downgraded to a B-rating, suspended, or revoked. If it's revoked, your sponsored workers' permission to stay is usually cut short.
Check where you stand
Our free sponsor compliance checklist asks 15 quick questions and shows where your gaps might be. An audit then looks at your actual records.
Who will handle your case
Every matter is supervised by
Sony Sadaf Haroon
Principal solicitor, SRA ID 482574
Your matter is run by one of our SRA-regulated solicitors, with a caseworker preparing documents under their supervision. We'll tell you who your contact is when you instruct us.
Sony supervises our solicitors and caseworkers, and is the firm's Compliance Officer for Legal Practice and for Finance and Administration. She studied at SOAS University of London, was called to the Bar by Lincoln's Inn in 1997, and qualified as a solicitor in 2008.
Check us on the SRA register (opens in a new tab)In our clients' words
I would really recommend Sony Law for their professionalism, efficiency, understanding, and help…
Read the full reviewHide the full review
I contacted Sony to get advice after my settlement application was refused. Her professional advice helped us to decide what would be the best option for the next step. The whole process was very quick and smooth, the correspondence was fantastic, and I received a positive decision from the HO literally a couple of hours after all necessary documentation was sent off. I would really recommend Sony Law for their professionalism, efficiency, understanding, and help, and I will definitely go back in the future if needed. Many thanks, Sony!
Thanks to their expertise and support, I successfully obtained my visa without any issues.
Read the full reviewHide the full review
I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional service provided by this solicitor firm during my UK visa application process. From the very beginning, they demonstrated a thorough understanding of immigration law and offered clear guidance tailored to my specific situation. Their professionalism and attention to detail made the complex application process much smoother. They were always available to answer my questions, providing timely updates and reassurance along the way. Thanks to their expertise and support, I successfully obtained my visa without any issues. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking assistance with UK immigration matters. Their dedication truly made a difference!
They explained everything clearly and kept me updated throughout the process.
Read the full reviewHide the full review
I used Sony Law after a recommendation from a friend, and they didn't let me down. They explained everything clearly and kept me updated throughout the process. There were no hidden charges, and they worked very hard throughout the case. I really recommend them, and the service was highly professional.
Would my business pass a Home Office visit?
15 quick questions to see whether your business would pass a Home Office visit. Free, with no sign-up.
Use the free sponsor compliance checklistNot sure which service you need?
Answer three questions and we'll point you to the right page, or just call and tell us what's happened.
Frequently asked questions
What are our main duties as a sponsor?
You must keep the right records, report certain changes on the sponsor management system (SMS) on time, check every employee's right to work, and make sure sponsored workers are paid correctly and doing the job you sponsored them for. You must also not pass sponsorship costs on to your workers.
Will the Home Office tell us before a compliance visit?
Not always. Visits can be announced or unannounced, so your records should be ready at all times.
What happens if we fail a compliance visit?
The Home Office can downgrade your licence to a B-rating, suspend it, or revoke it. A B-rated sponsor must follow an action plan and can't assign Certificates of Sponsorship to new workers until it's back to an A-rating.
What happens to our workers if our licence is revoked?
Their permission to stay is usually cut short, and they'll need to find a new sponsor, switch to another visa, or leave the UK, so it's worth fixing problems early.
How often should we audit?
There's no fixed rule. A review at least once a year, and after big changes such as new HR staff, a merger, or new key personnel, helps catch problems early.
What does the monthly retainer include?
Ongoing help with reporting changes on the SMS, assigning Certificates of Sponsorship, day-to-day sponsor questions, and reminders before key deadlines.
Book a free 15-minute call
Tell us a little about your situation and pick a time. Our team will call you, explain how we can help and what it will cost.
It takes about two minutes. If you'd like us to help after the call, we send you a fixed quote in writing. There's no obligation.
Want legal advice from a solicitor straight away? Book a paid consultation
4.9 out of 5 from 100+ Google reviews (opens Google in a new tab)Step 1 of 2: your details
Booking does not create a solicitor-client relationship until we confirm we can act for you (including a conflict check).