Over 1,900 small businesses, including car washes and vape shops, are licensed to sponsor foreign workers under a scheme that has recently tightened its rules. The Home Office's changes, effective July 2025, primarily target graduate-level positions with a minimum salary threshold of £41,700, yet some businesses were added to the sponsorship list after these adjustments.
Concerns have been raised regarding the appropriateness of certain businesses on the skilled worker register, prompting a review by the Home Secretary. While the number of skilled worker visas granted has decreased, the Home Office continues to enforce strict eligibility criteria for sponsorship.