Being Audit-Ready
Immigration authorities conduct audits to ensure employers comply with permit conditions and sponsorship duties. Being prepared protects your ability to hire internationally.
Types of Audits
Ireland: WRC Inspection
The Workplace Relations Commission inspects:
- Employment permit compliance
- Working conditions for permit holders
- Pay and hours match permit conditions
- Employer obligations met
UK: Home Office Audit
Sponsor licence audits assess:
- HR systems adequacy
- Record keeping
- Reporting compliance
- Genuine vacancy and employment
- Migrant worker duties
Pre-Audit Preparation
Regular Self-Audits
Conduct internal reviews quarterly:
- Check all permit holders have valid permits
- Verify salaries meet requirements
- Confirm working conditions match permits
- Test record retrieval systems
Document Organisation
Ensure easy access to:
- All current permits and visas
- Employment contracts
- Right to work records
- Reporting history
Staff Training
Key staff should know:
- Location of documents
- Compliance requirements
- Who to contact during audit
- What information to provide
During an Ireland WRC Inspection
What to Expect
- Inspector arrives (often unannounced)
- Requests to see employment permits
- May interview permit holders
- Reviews employment records
- Checks working conditions
Your Rights
- Request inspector ID
- Have a representative present
- Ask for time to gather documents
- Request copies of any seizures
Best Practices
- Cooperate fully
- Provide requested documents promptly
- Answer questions honestly
- Take notes of what's requested
- Follow up on any issues raised
During a UK Home Office Audit
Types of Visits
- Pre-licence visit – Before licence granted
- Compliance visit – Random check of existing sponsors
- Follow-up visit – After issues identified
What Auditors Check
HR Systems:
- Policies and procedures
- Record keeping systems
- Staff training evidence
Individual Migrant Files:
- Right to work checks
- CoS accuracy
- Contact information current
- Absences reported
Reporting History:
- Timely reports submitted
- Changes notified
- Leavers reported
Potential Outcomes
- No action required
- Action plan required
- Downgrade to B-rating
- Licence suspension
- Licence revocation
Red Flags That Trigger Audits
Ireland
- Complaints from employees
- Unusual permit activity
- Sector-wide inspections
- Random selection
UK
- Late or missing reports
- Unusual CoS patterns
- Employee complaints
- Intelligence received
- Previous issues identified
Maintaining Compliance
Daily
- Check new starter right to work
- Record any absences
Weekly
- Review pending reports
- Check document requests
Monthly
- Verify salary payments meet thresholds
- Check expiry dates approaching
Quarterly
- Full compliance review
- Update contact information
- Test document retrieval
Post-Audit Actions
If Issues Found
Immediate steps:
- Understand the findings
- Create action plan
- Assign responsibilities
- Set deadlines
Longer term:
- Implement system improvements
- Train staff
- Document changes
- Monitor compliance
If Cleared
- Document the positive outcome
- Continue good practices
- Schedule next self-audit
Recruitroo Compliance Support
Our platform helps you stay audit-ready:
- Compliance dashboard – Status overview
- Document storage – Organised, accessible
- Expiry tracking – Never miss renewals
- Reporting reminders – Timely notifications
- Audit reports – Generate on demand
Being audit-ready isn't about passing a single inspection—it's about maintaining systems that ensure ongoing compliance.