Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what mechanisms her Department uses to identify visa holders who may no longer be complying with the conditions attached to their leave.

Immigration Enforcement has Immigration Compliance and Enforcement teams across the UK that identify suspected breaches and take proportionate action. This activity supports both the detection of non-compliance and the deterrence of future breaches.

A combination of intelligence-led operations, data analysis, data sharing with relevant partners and compliance visits helps the Department identify visa holders who may have ceased to comply with the conditions of their leave. Where a breach is established, action may include curtailment of leave, removal from the UK or prosecution, where appropriate.

Sponsors have a responsibility as part of holding a licence to report changes of circumstances to the Home Office that may impact on the visa status. This includes, but is not limited to, ceasing to study and ceasing employment. If a sponsor is found not to be complying with their sponsorship duties in reporting relevant changes, we will take appropriate formal action up to and including removing their sponsor licence.

Details of the sponsorship duties are set out in our published guidance Sponsorship: guidance for employers and educators - GOV.UK

If an individual is found to have breached their conditions or has had their sponsorship withdrawn, the Home Office will take cancellation action in line with our published rules and guidance: Cancellation and curtailment of permission (accessible) - GOV.UK