Preparing for an IND inspection visit
As a recognized sponsor with the IND, you may receive an inspection visit to assess your compliance with your duty of care, administrative obligations and duty to provide information. Good preparation will prevent an inspection from resulting in warnings, fines, or even the withdrawal of your recognition as a sponsor.
What is an IND inspection visit?
An IND inspection visit is an official supervisory moment during which the IND assesses whether you, as a recognized sponsor, are complying with the obligations imposed. The visit is usually announced in advance: confirmed by telephone and in writing. During the inspection visit:
the IND conducts an interview with your organization (usually HR or management).
they will ask to see files and records such as employment contracts, pay slips, passport copies, and diplomas.
they will check whether you are complying with your duty of care, administrative obligations, and duty to provide information.
a report will be drawn up, which you will receive and sign immediately.
Based on this report, the IND will draw up a report of findings. Within thirteen weeks, you will receive the outcome: from full approval to a warning, fine, or even withdrawal of the recognized reference status.
Read the official IND form here.
Why is preparation important for recognised sponsors?
An inspection visit by the IND can have serious consequences if it appears that your organization does not fully comply with the obligations of recognized sponsorship. The penalties range from relatively mild to very severe:
⚠️ Warning or administrative fine for violation of the duty of care, administrative obligation, or information obligation.
⚠️ Suspension or withdrawal of your recognition as a sponsor, which means you will not be able to hire highly skilled migrants or researchers for several years.
⚠️ Withdrawal of residence permits from your highly skilled migrants, researchers, or students, with all the personal and organizational consequences that entails.
⚠️ Costs and reputational damage when return or deportation becomes necessary.
Good preparation ensures that you minimize these risks. You know exactly which aspects the IND checks and can make improvements in good time. This shows that your organization operates in a reliable, careful, and future-proof manner, which is exactly what the IND expects from a recognized sponsor.
How do we prepare for an IND inspection visit?
Our approach simulates an IND inspection visit as realistically as possible. We base this on the components described by the IND itself in its information about supervision and inspection visits. This way, you know exactly what to expect and where your organization stands.
Our 4-step method:
1️⃣ Announcement
Just like the IND, we announce our mock inspection.
This allows you to experience how an inspection works in practice and prepare yourself optimally.
2️⃣ Mock audit of files
We take a random sample of files and check them against the core obligations:
Duty of care (selection, recruitment, and supervision),
Administrative obligation (completeness and archiving),
Information obligation (notifications within the deadlines),
Salary thresholds and burden of proof.
3️⃣ Interview & training
We will discuss our initial findings with HR and/or management.
4️⃣ Reporting & advice
Afterwards, you will receive a clear report with our findings: where you are already performing well and where there is room for improvement. We will provide concrete recommendations, including quick wins and structural improvements.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
We are not a supervisory authority, we do not work for the IND, and we do not make decisions. Our preparation is a best-efforts obligation: we assess the official public frameworks, but the IND always determines the outcome of an inspection visit.
What exactly do you get with our preparation?
✅ Intake & checklist – we assess your situation (e.g., highly skilled migrants, researchers, students, or au pairs) and provide a checklist that is tailored to your type of organization.
✅ File sampling – we check whether the correct supporting documents are available and whether they meet the requirements of the duty of care, administrative obligation, and duty to provide information.
✅ Q&A exercise for HR/management – we discuss the initial findings with you and ask questions about them.
✅ Report with findings – an overview of strengths, risks, and shortcomings, including priorities: what needs to be remedied immediately and what improvements are needed on a structural basis.
✅ Action plan – advice on how to organize your processes so that you continue to comply with the obligations of the recognized reference.
The result: You are better prepared, know which documents may be missing, and which processes need to be strengthened. We can also provide further support in this area.
Frequently asked questions about preparing for an IND inspection visit
Does Joinwise collaborate with the IND or do you act as a supervisory authority?
No. We are not part of the IND and we do not act as a supervisory authority. Our mock audit is a preparatory process: we base our work on the obligations and control elements that the IND itself has made public. Only the IND carries out official control visits and decides on the outcome thereof.
How often does the IND carry out inspection visits?
The IND visits one or more recognized sponsors every week. There is no fixed frequency: this depends on risk profile, signals, or random checks.
Are IND inspection visits always announced in advance?
In most cases, yes. The IND will call in advance and confirm in writing. However, the IND may also conduct unannounced checks.
What exactly does the IND look at during an inspection visit?
The IND assesses compliance with the duty of care, administrative obligations, and information obligations. In doing so, it may request access to employment contracts, payroll records, passport copies, diplomas and notifications.
What happens after an IND inspection visit?
After the visit, the IND will draw up a report, followed by a report of findings. You will receive this within 13 weeks, including any consequences: from approval to a warning, fine, or withdrawal of recognition as a sponsor.
Is preparation mandatory or optional?
Internal preparation is not required by law. However, it significantly reduces the risk of shortcomings and increases the likelihood of a positive assessment.
Directly in your inbox
Practical tips, updates and advice for recognised sponsors
Receive monthly:
👨🏼⚖ Important changes to IND rules
📄 Handy step-by-step plans and checklists
💡 Practical cases and tips