Author: Ali Sirti
Estimated reading time: 3–4 minutes · Information checked: 5 October 2026
Your adviser may have prepared the application, but you should be ready to explain how your business operates and how it will meet its sponsor responsibilities. In particular, the Authorising Officer needs to understand that the role involves more than putting their name on an application form. They have overall responsibility for the organisation’s sponsorship activities.
Leon Advisers has a dedicated interview preparation question-and-answer information sheet. Contact us to find out about the sheet and our preparation support.
What is a compliance check or digital compliance check?
A compliance check is an assessment of whether a business can meet, or is meeting, its sponsor duties. A digital compliance check involves remote checks and a video interview. Documents may be requested before, during or after the interview.
The Authorising Officer should prepare personally. However, the Home Office may also interview other authorised company representatives or employees.
Can your immigration adviser attend?
You may request your representative’s attendance. An accompanying adviser should normally not intervene or answer for you, although they may comment at the end. A representative appointed as Key Contact or Level 1 User can act within that role during the check. Confirm the attendance arrangements beforehand.
Do not base your preparation on the assumption that your adviser will answer any questions you find difficult.
Start with the Authorising Officer’s responsibilities
Begin by understanding sponsor duties rather than rehearsing a company introduction. For example:
- If a sponsored worker stops attending work, how would you identify this and respond?
- Which events must be reported to the Home Office?
- Who submits reports through the Sponsorship Management System, known as the SMS?
The Level 1 User may handle daily SMS tasks, but the Authorising Officer is responsible for the activities of those using the system. They should understand who monitors each issue and how reporting is handled.
A practical example: If an existing sponsored worker is absent without permission for more than 10 consecutive working days, the absence must be reported through the SMS. The deadline is no later than 10 working days after the tenth day of absence, even if you intend to continue sponsoring the worker.
“We would call the employee” is only part of the answer. Prepare to explain how the absence is recorded, who follows it up and how any required report is submitted.
What might you be asked about the company and its employees?
Alongside sponsor responsibilities, you should know the basic details of your business. Use these questions when preparing:
Company information: What is the company’s full name? Are its registered and trading addresses different? What services does it provide, and who are its customers?
Employee information: How many employees are there? What are their names, roles, working hours and salaries? Who reports to whom?
The proposed position: Why does the business need this worker? What will they do each day? How were the salary and work location determined?
Personnel records: Who completes right-to-work checks? Where are employee addresses, contact details, leave and absences recorded?
These are illustrative questions, not a fixed questionnaire or mandatory interview sequence. Up-to-date contact details and absence records are among the records sponsors must retain for sponsored workers.
What should you do before the interview?
Read the application, job descriptions, employee list and organisation chart together. Check that they reflect how the business actually operates.
For example, if the application says you maintain personnel records, but you cannot explain where they are kept, address that gap before the interview. Do not describe a process as operational when it has not been used. Explain the arrangements genuinely in place or ready to use.
The aim is to give answers that match your records and working practices—not simply answers that sound convincing.
Prepare with our question-and-answer information sheet
Received a sponsor licence interview invitation? Do not leave preparation until the last day. Review the Authorising Officer’s responsibilities and how the questions apply to your business beforehand.
Contact Leon Advisers for information about our dedicated sponsor licence interview question-and-answer sheet and preparation support.
This article provides general information. Questions are illustrative, and the scope of a compliance check depends on the case. Preparation support does not guarantee approval.