Avoiding Public Order Fines: How Employers Should Prepare
This means that companies need to manage immigration compliance at the system level rather than addressing it on an ad hoc basis. The purpose of inspections is not only to identify legal breaches but also to ensure the ongoing lawful residence and employment of foreign workers.
What does “recurring inspections” mean in practice?
Authorities may appear, sometimes without prior notice, at the same employer or site multiple times a year. The inspection focuses on:
- Whether previously identified deficiencies have been addressed
- Whether current employment practices comply with permits and regulations
Inspections typically cover:
- The residence status of foreign workers
- The legality of their employment
- Compliance with reporting and data providing obligations
- The employer’s internal records
It is important to note that during an on-site inspection, authorities may request immediate presentation of documents and may not allow extended deadlines to rectify deficiencies.
The role of the annual inspection plan
The immigration authority publishes its annual inspection plan, clearly showing that inspections are not random. Focus areas are subject to targeted, comprehensive, and follow-up checks.
In practice, this often involves:
- Companies employing large numbers of third-country nationals
- Accommodation and actual workplaces of guest workers
- Sectors such as construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and hospitality
- Follow-up checks related to work permits
Compliance checklist: How to prevent fines
Experience shows that most immigration fines could be prevented with a consistently applied compliance system. The greatest risks do not usually come from deliberate violations, but from incomplete administration and fragmented information instead.
How can ARC Corporate Mobility help?
ARC’s immigration advisory services are focused on reducing inspection risks and ensuring regulatory compliance. Our services include:
- Pre-emptive immigration audits and risk analysis
- Review of personnel files and internal records
- Customised compliance checklists
- Identification of problem areas and suggested solutions
- Full coordination and accountability in immigration compliance
Our goal is not only to ensure that all documents are ready for an inspection, but also to make sure that inspections can be concluded without substantive risk.