UKVI recently reported a sharp increase in enforcement activity — 499 Skilled Worker licences were revoked and 524 suspended between April–June 2024, signalling a significant rise in compliance action.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, a total of 1,948 sponsor licences were revoked — more than double the previous year. This trend reflects stricter Home Office scrutiny, especially in social care, hospitality, retail, and construction — sectors already facing acute staffing shortages.
Why Are Licences Being Revoked?
Revocations are typically due to:
- Breaches of sponsor duties
- Underpaying or exploiting migrant workers
- Misusing CoS or visa routes
- Poor record-keeping or non-compliance during audits
Top Tips for Staying Compliant
Sponsors have a wide range of obligations under the Home Office guidance. Here are some key duties:
- Ensure genuine roles: The role must be real, with duties, hours, salary in line with the Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Right to Work checks: Must be conducted for all staff members before employment starts; keep records on file.
- Even if you are not the direct employer of the workers involved in the business, there are compelling reasons why you should conduct right to work checks. Accordingly, you may wish to check that your contractors conduct the correct right to work checks on people they employ.
- Meet salary thresholds: ensure the salary meets the Skilled Worker minimum. Avoid unlawful deductions (e.g. loans, accommodation)
- Keep records: Maintain contracts, payslips, attendance logs, and immigration documents. Ensure these are accessible for audits.
- Update the Sponsor Management System (SMS): Promptly report any changes in job role, salary, location, or if a worker leaves (within 10 working days of the event). Keep key personnel and address details up to date (Report within 20 working days of the event).
- Train internal teams: HR, payroll and operations staff must understand sponsor duties and compliance risks.
What triggers compliance audits?
- Intelligence or complaints in particular sectors (care, hospitality etc.).
- Discrepancies between payroll and CoS
- Reports from current or former employees or their family.
- Border enforcement or Home Office inquiries.
- High rates of refusals or negative audits for a sponsor.
- Failing to report changes via SMS.
What happens if your licence is revoked?
When the Home Office revokes a sponsor licence, the following effects will usually follow:
- Immediate loss of sponsor privileges
- Sponsored workers may have their leave curtailed or cancelled
- Any CoS assigned becomes invalid
- No Appeal Right against the decision
- Cooling-Off Period (12-24 months) before reapplying
- Business disruption and reputational risk
Be Proactive, Not Reactive
In this environment, proactive compliance is essential. Migrate UK offers:
- Immigration compliance audits
- Sponsor licence health checks
Don’t wait for a visit to uncover issues. Strengthen your systems now and protect your business and workforce.
Contact us to book a compliance review today.