Why this matters
Sponsors often ask whether Home Office auditors look only at sponsored workers or at the wider workforce. The distinction matters for how you prepare your records.
The primary focus
A sponsor licence audit primarily focuses on your sponsored workers. Auditors will review:
Right to work checks for each sponsored worker and employee.
Personnel files for sponsored workers.
Payslips evidencing the salary stated on the CoS.
Up to date contact details for each sponsored worker.
Evidence that you are meeting your sponsor duties (reporting, record-keeping, recruitment practices).
Wider workforce checks
Although the audit centres on sponsored workers, auditors can carry out broader right to work checks across your wider workforce during a visit. For this reason, you should ensure that right to work documentation is up to date and on file for every employee, sponsored or not.
Company legitimacy
The auditor is also likely to look at your business structure, incoming payments, and if you have valid grounds to sponsor workers. This includes confirming that the company is legit, is trading, there is income (other than from investors), and that there is no circular trading.
Preparation checklist
Right to work checks complete and on file for all staff.
Payslip evidence available for each sponsored worker covering the period since their CoS was assigned.
Personnel files for sponsored workers organised and accessible.
A current copy of each sponsored worker's contact details.
Records of changes of circumstance you have reported via the SMS, with dates.