There has been a sharp rise in compliance actions taken by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) concerning the suspension and revocation of sponsor licences under the Skilled Worker route, especially when comparing 2024 with the previous year.
Recent data from UKVI reveals that between January and June 2024, the number of suspensions and revocations skyrocketed. In Q1 2024, UKVI suspended 309 licences and revoked 210, followed by an even steeper rise in Q2 2024, with 524 suspensions and 499 revocations. This marks an all-time high in enforcement actions, with numbers far surpassing those seen in 2023.
For comparison, in Q1 2023, there were 148 suspensions and 139 revocations, and in Q2 2023, suspensions decreased to 89, with 28 revocations. This indicates a dramatic increase in UKVI’s actions in 2024. By Q4 2023, the numbers were also relatively high with 241 suspensions and 105 revocations, but still far below the 2024 levels. The sharp jump between 2023 and 2024, particularly in the first half of the year, shows a growing emphasis on sponsor compliance and enforcement.
This sudden rise in 2024 can be linked to UKVI’s intensified efforts to ensure that businesses are compliant with their sponsorship obligations, and to prevent misuse of the UK’s immigration system. Other factors, however, may also have contributed to the increase.
Factors Contributing to the Increase in Sponsor Licence Suspensions and Revocations
One key change was the introduction of longer sponsor licence durations. Before 6 April 2024, sponsor licences were valid for four years, requiring sponsors to submit renewal applications. UKVI would often audit businesses during these renewal periods, which helped ensure compliance. Now, licences set to expire after April 2024 are automatically extended for 10 years, likely allowing UKVI to shift its resources toward conducting more compliance audits at other times.
The change in the salary threshold under the Skilled Worker route also played a significant role. As of 4 April 2024, the minimum salary requirement increased from £26,200 to £38,700, a 48% jump. This was part of a broader government strategy to reduce migration, which also saw the Immigration Salary List (ISL) replace the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). The number of occupations eligible for reduced salary thresholds was slashed from 53 to 23, further tightening the rules.
Another significant factor behind the increase in sponsor licence suspensions and revocations is the exploitation of overseas workers in the care sector. According to anti-slavery charity Unseen, there has been a dramatic rise in cases of modern slavery involving care workers in the UK. In their October 2023 report titled “Who Cares – Modern Slavery in the Care Sector,” the charity highlighted a 606% increase in care-related modern slavery reports to the UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline in 2022. This equated to 712 potential victims, many of whom were overseas workers, compared to just 63 cases reported the year before.
This alarming increase is tied to unethical recruitment practices, where workers are promised legitimate jobs but arrive in the UK only to face exploitation, such as debt bondage and mistreatment by employers. This rise in unethical behaviour has prompted UKVI to take stronger enforcement actions, contributing to the surge in sponsor licence revocations and suspensions.
Additionally, from February 2024, penalties for businesses employing illegal workers increased dramatically. The fine for a first breach rose from £15,000 to £45,000 per illegal worker, while repeat offenders now face penalties of up to £60,000. This, coupled with changes in visa thresholds, likely contributed to the rise in revocations and suspensions as UKVI cracks down on non-compliant sponsors.
Implications for Sponsors
The consequences of these suspensions and revocations are significant. If a sponsor’s licence is suspended, the company will be unable to sponsor new migrant workers. To have the suspension lifted, the sponsor must address UKVI’s concerns within a specified period, or risk having their licence revoked.
If a licence is revoked, the consequences are severe:
- All existing sponsored workers’ visas will be curtailed.
- The company will be prohibited from applying for a new licence for at least 12 months.
- The revocation can lead to lasting reputational damage.
Recommendations for Sponsors
Given this increased scrutiny, it’s crucial that sponsors take steps to ensure they meet all their sponsor licence obligations:
- Keep all sponsor licence records, including key personnel details, up to date.
- Ensure full compliance with UKVI’s reporting and record-keeping requirements.
- Conduct thorough right to work checks in line with UKVI guidance.
- Be prepared for a UKVI audit at any time—these can be announced or unannounced.
This comparison between 2023 and 2024 highlights how rapidly the enforcement landscape has shifted, with the first two quarters of 2024 seeing dramatic increases in compliance actions. Maintaining strict immigration compliance is now more critical than ever to avoid potential disruptions to your business.
Given the surge in compliance actions from UKVI, it’s crucial for businesses to be audit-ready.
To ensure your business stays compliant and avoids costly suspensions or revocations, book a Home Office-style mock compliance audit with NARA Solicitors.
Our team will help you identify areas of improvement and ensure you’re fully prepared for a UKVI audit.
Contact us today to schedule your mock audit and safeguard your sponsor licence.
Also Read: Nara Solicitor’s Mock Compliance Audit Helps Care Provider Maintain A-Rated Sponsor Licence
