Immigration Law · European Union
Stay Immigration Compliant — Before an Inspector Comes Knocking
For employers, landlords and institutions, immigration compliance means keeping records, checking right-to-work and reporting changes — and the penalties for getting it wrong can be severe. We match you, free of charge, with a compliance lawyer who keeps your business on the right side of the rules and audit-ready.
- Right-to-work checks & audits
- Sponsor licence compliance
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
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Who this is for
For any organisation that employs, houses or enrols foreign nationals
Immigration compliance is the set of duties placed on employers, landlords, universities and other organisations to check and record the immigration status of people they employ, house or enrol, and to report certain changes to the authorities. The specific obligations vary by country, but the underlying principle is the same across Europe: organisations that fail to carry out proper right-to-work checks, keep the required records, or notify the authorities on time can face fines, the loss of a sponsor licence, or in the most serious cases, criminal liability. The rules change frequently, and what passed an audit last year may not satisfy this year’s. For any organisation that employs or houses foreign nationals, compliance is an ongoing process — and the cost of getting it wrong is far higher than the cost of getting it right. A specialist lawyer can audit your practices and bring them up to standard.
Why compliance fails silently
Most compliance failures are not deliberate.
They’re simply out of date.
Rules change, documents evolve, and processes that once worked quietly fall behind — until an inspection exposes the gap.
Right-to-work checks done wrong
Most countries require employers to verify a person’s right to work before they start, and to keep evidence of that check. Getting the check wrong — or keeping no record of it — can lead to fines when the employee was legally entitled to work.
Out-of-date processes
Immigration rules and document formats change often, and a compliance process that was correct a year ago may now be out of date. Organisations that do not refresh their procedures can fail an inspection without realising they were at risk.
Missed reporting duties
Employers and sponsors are often required to report changes — a change of role, address or salary, or an employee leaving — within a set time. Missing these reports can trigger penalties and put a sponsor licence at risk.
What you get
A compliance lawyer who keeps you audit-ready, not reactive
We only match you with lawyers who run immigration-compliance audits and advise on right-to-work and sponsor duties in your country.
Compliance audit
Your lawyer reviews your current right-to-work checks, record-keeping and reporting against the latest requirements, identifying any gaps before an inspector does — and before they lead to fines.
Policy & process design
Your lawyer builds or updates your compliance procedures and documentation, so your team knows exactly what to check, record and report for every type of worker.
Audit & inspection support
If you are facing an inspection or a penalty, your lawyer advises on how to respond, prepares the evidence the authorities need, and helps you resolve the matter with the least possible damage.
Ongoing monitoring
Your lawyer keeps your compliance up to date as the rules change, alerting you to new obligations and updating your processes before they become a problem.
Coverage
Immigration compliance lawyers across Europe
Compliance duties are set nationally, so the right lawyer is one who knows the right-to-work and sponsor obligations in each country where you operate. We cover the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Immigration compliance — common questions
What is immigration compliance for an employer?
It is the duty to check that a person has the right to work, to keep records of that check, and to report certain changes to the authorities. The exact obligations vary by country, but the principle — verify, record, and report — is consistent across Europe.
What are right-to-work checks?
Right-to-work checks are the steps an employer must take before hiring someone to confirm they are legally entitled to work, and to keep evidence of that confirmation. The required documents and procedures vary by country, and failing the check correctly can lead to penalties.
What happens if my business fails a compliance check?
Consequences can include civil fines, the suspension or revocation of a sponsor licence, and in serious cases criminal liability. The severity depends on the country and the nature of the failure, which is why prompt legal advice matters when a problem is identified.
How often should I update my compliance procedures?
Because immigration rules and document formats change regularly, it is sensible to review your procedures at least annually, and immediately whenever the relevant law changes. A lawyer can monitor these changes for you and update your processes as needed.
Do landlords and universities also have immigration compliance duties?
Yes. In several European countries, landlords and educational institutions must check the immigration status of tenants or students and, in some cases, report certain information. The exact duties vary, and failing them can carry penalties of their own.
Can a lawyer help me prepare for an immigration audit?
Yes. A lawyer can audit your current practices against the latest requirements, fix any gaps, and prepare the documentation and evidence an inspector is likely to request, so you approach an audit with confidence rather than reacting to it.
Free case review
Compliance failures are expensive — and entirely avoidable
Tell us about your organisation and we’ll connect you, free of charge, with a compliance lawyer who can audit your processes and keep you audit-ready.