UK sees record numbers of foreign worker visas revoked for rule breaking
Record numbers of employers have been banned from sponsoring foreign workers under a crackdown on abuse of the immigration system.
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).
Many of the employers had been using work visas to help migrants circumvent immigration rules, as well as undercutting domestic workers by underpaying and exploiting migrant staff, who were reliant on their jobs to stay in the country.
Adult social care, hospitality, retail, and construction are among the sectors with the highest levels of abuse, data shows.
Based on current trends, sponsor revocations for this year are expected to exceed the record high once again. This surge in compliance activity follows just 261 and 247 licences being revoked in the same period in 2021-22 and 2022-2,3, respectively.
This is part of the government’s efforts to clamp down on the exploitation of the border system and sky-high migration. This includes expanding sanctions on rogue employers, including financial penalty notices, business closure orders, and potential prosecution.
It follows an announcement earlier this week that the UK will cut access to visas for countries that don’t comply with the returns of migrants with no right to stay in the UK. It is further evidence that the government will do what it takes to deliver the reduction in migration the public wants to see, as part of its Plan for Change.
The government has also 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.
Removals of those with no right to be here have also risen significantly under this government, with 35,000 people removed – 13% more than the same period 12 months prior. Work to smash the gangs at source also continues at pace, with NCA enforcement activity at the highest level on record.
