A Times investigation has found that despite a high-profile Home Office crackdown on abuse of the skilled worker visa system, a number of firms stripped of their sponsor licences have since been reapproved or continue sponsoring migrants through companies run by the same directors. Analysis shows that of 566 care providers sanctioned between 2022 and 2025, at least 74 have regained approval or have directors doing so, even after serious breaches such as illegal hiring, fake roles, or exploitation. Critics have condemned the system, warning that short bans amount to little deterrent and allow repeat offenders to exploit migrants and the visa system. The findings come amid wider evidence of fraudulent visa sponsorship schemes, prompting calls for tougher sanctions, longer bans on directors, and tighter enforcement.
