Sign in Subscribe
Emigration and immigration

Record Number of Employers Banned from Sponsoring Foreign Workers in the UK

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Home Office report has issued a stark warning about the widespread abuse of the UK's immigration system, with a record number of employers being banned from sponsoring foreign workers. Between July 2024 and June 2025, 1,948 licences allowing companies to bring in migrant workers were revoked, more than double the number in the previous 12 months (937). This surge in compliance activity is largely due to improved data and intelligence sharing across government and law enforcement, which has helped increase the number of licence revocations exponentially.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of employers banned from sponsoring foreign workers has more than doubled in the past 12 months, with 1,948 licences revoked between July 2024 and June 2025.
  • Adult social care, hospitality, retail, and construction are among the sectors with the highest levels of abuse, with data showing that many employers are using work visas to undercut domestic workers by underpaying and exploiting migrant staff.
  • The UK government has surged illegal working arrests by 51% compared to the previous year, addressing one of the fake promises sold to migrants making dangerous journeys in small boats that they will be able to work in the UK.
  • Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp MP, has stated that those who abuse the immigration system must face the strongest possible consequences, and the government will not hesitate to ban companies from sponsoring workers from overseas.
  • The Home Office report highlights the importance of improved data and intelligence sharing across government and law enforcement in addressing immigration abuse.
  • A new approach to compliance, which was previously heavily reliant on physical visits, has been implemented to increase the number of licence revocations exponentially.
  • Companies have been revoked for a wide range of rule breaking, including underpayment of workers, facilitating the entry of individuals to circumvent immigration rules, and failing to provide promised work or meet compliance standards.

Statistics:

  • Between July 2024 and June 2025, 1,948 licences allowing companies to bring in migrant workers were revoked, more than double the number in the previous 12 months (937).
  • Illegal working arrests surged by 51% compared to the previous year, with 261 and 247 licences revoked in the same period in 2021-22 and 2022-23 respectively.
  • The UK will cut access to visas for countries who don't comply with returns of migrants with no right to stay in the UK.

Sources:

  • Home Office report (date not specified)
  • Mike Tapp MP (Minister for Migration and Citizenship)

Read more