The UK Home Office has reportedly allowed dozens of employers to regain their licences to sponsor migrant workers, even after they were earlier penalised for breaking visa rules. According to a report by The Times, some of these firms had previously been part of a government crackdown targeting abuse within the skilled worker visa system, especially in the care sector.
Last year, the Home Office announced strong action against what it described as “rogue operators.” Hundreds of care providers lost their sponsorship licences after being accused of serious violations. These included employing people illegally, offering fake job roles to secure visas, underpaying migrant staff, or charging illegal recruitment fees. The government said the move was meant to protect vulnerable workers and restore trust in the immigration system.
However, new findings suggest that several of these companies have now been granted fresh approvals to sponsor migrant workers again. In some cases, company directors linked to banned firms were still able to sponsor migrants through different businesses they managed. This has raised fresh questions about how strict and lasting the penalties really are.
Data reviewed by The Times showed that out of 566 care companies that lost their licences between June 2022 and June 2025, at least 74 either regained approval or had a director connected to another firm that continued sponsoring visas. Critics argue that this weakens the impact of enforcement efforts and allows bad practices to continue under new company names.
Professor Brian Bell, the UK government’s chief adviser on immigration, said he was surprised by the situation. He noted that in other sectors, such as financial services, companies face long-term bans for serious violations. According to him, similar strict measures should apply in the immigration sponsorship system to prevent repeated abuse.
Former Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, John Vine, also questioned the logic behind allowing such firms back into the system. He said the rules should be clearer and enforcement should be tougher to stop exploitation of migrant workers who often depend heavily on their employers for legal status.
Why is this issue important?
It matters because migrant workers can be vulnerable to exploitation, especially if their visa is tied to one employer. If companies that previously broke the rules are allowed back into the system too easily, there is a risk that abuse may continue.
A spokesperson for the UK Home Office said the department is reviewing whether its current powers are strong enough to prevent visa abuse. The official added that the government remains committed to stopping exploitation and improving oversight within the immigration system, as reported by The Times.