Thousands of businesses across the United Kingdom, ranging from car washes and kebab shops to vape stores and off-licences, have reportedly obtained licenses to sponsor migrants under the 'skilled worker' visa program. This practice has drawn criticism from lawmakers who argue the scheme is being exploited and is a "back door" into the country's immigration system.
Under the current guidelines, companies with a Home Office license can sponsor overseas workers for visas, which allow them to stay in Britain for up to five years, with the possibility of permanent residency afterward. The cost for a business to obtain such a license is £611. While the list of eligible occupations includes high-skilled roles like engineers and doctors, it also encompasses many considered 'medium-skilled,' such as sales supervisors, shopkeepers, and even roles within the automotive service industry.
One such business, Kalar Car Wash near Huddersfield, holds a license to sponsor workers. However, interviews with employees revealed a lack of English proficiency, leading to questions about the nature of the work being sponsored.
Conservative MP Neil O’Brien told the Daily Mail that sponsoring workers for jobs in car washes and vape shops is "farcical" and represents a significant flaw in the immigration system. He highlighted concerns that foreign workers are being brought in for roles that could be filled by unemployed Britons.
Businesses argue that the system is necessary due to a lack of local applicants willing to take on certain jobs. Shehzad Iqbal, owner of Swift Mobiles and Vapes in Middlesbrough, stated that local people often do not show up for advertised positions, while overseas workers are more committed to their roles to maintain visa status. He suggested that a more robust benefits system may disincentivize local employment.
Brothers Irfan and Irslan Rabani, who work at a Premier convenience store in Stockton-on-Tees, also obtained skilled worker visas. They described their roles as 'retail managers,' an occupation deemed eligible for the visa. They claim that despite living in the UK for years, they have not seen local residents inquire about job openings at their store.
Similar claims were made by the shopkeeper of The Bargain Stonegate off-licence in Leeds, who stated that prospective local employees often work only for a short period before leaving. This business has sponsored a shop assistant from India.
Concerns are also raised about the minimum salary requirements. While the current minimum is £41,700 per year, some workers on older visas may be earning less, based on previous requirements. The skilled worker visa also allows dependents, such as partners and children, to accompany the visa holder to Britain.
The Home Office has stated that recent changes, including raising the skilled salary threshold and cutting over 100 occupations from overseas recruitment access, have made it significantly harder for businesses like kebab shops to obtain licenses. The department also reported a 950% increase in skilled sponsor revocations in 2025 compared to 2023, indicating efforts to clamp down on abuse within the system.