The latest immigration statistics show significant increases in sponsor licence revocations and refusals, painting a worrying picture for sponsor licence holders and hopefuls.
Back in December 2024, we wrote about the then-unprecedented surge in unsuccessful sponsor licence applications, which, together with increasing levels of enforcement action, indicated a stricter approach to sponsor compliance from the Home Office. You can read our article on that here.
Unfortunately, the latest immigration statistics demonstrate that this was not a one-off blip. In the year ending July 2025, close to 43.9% of all sponsor licence applications were unsuccessful – a figure which represents an increase on those for the year ending December 2024, and which is getting frighteningly close to half of all applications.
In addition, a staggering 1,636 licences were suspended or revoked in the second quarter of 2025. By comparison, the second quarter of 2024 saw just 1,023 licences suspended or revoked – a 60% increase, then.
We are increasingly seeing the Home Office demand evidence of legally-compliant Right to Work checks – both at the licence application stage and in response to sponsors’ requests for Certificates of Sponsorship. This has been coupled with an increase in illegal working visits and information requests for sponsors and non-sponsors alike.
Failing to carry out your Right to Work checks correctly can result in severe financial sanctions, the suspension or revocation of your sponsor licence, or the refusal of your sponsor licence application, to name just a few of the potential consequences.
We are hosting two in-person events in the coming weeks, aimed at bolstering employers’ understanding of Right to Work check processes.
The first, between 10am and 12pm on Tuesday 16 September, is a Right to Work Master Class at our Reading office. The Master Class will cover employers’ legal obligations, including how to carry out Right to Work checks in line with current rules and guidance, and how to protect your business against the risks of non-compliance. A fee of £295 plus VAT will be payable, although group discounts are available, and lunch will be provided. With just four places left at the time of writing, please do get in touch at [email protected] if you would like more information and/or are interested in signing up.
The second event is being held together with TrustID at Reading Town Hall, from 8.45am to 11am on Tuesday 23 September. More details can be found here.
Finally, we also offer a Right to Work audit service, to help you ensure that your business’ Right to Work processes are compliant. If you would like any further information, please get in touch at [email protected]
