Visas: Skilled Workers

(asked on 6th March 2026) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how often UK employer sponsors are reassessed for their suitability to assign certificates of sponsorship for a skilled worker visa.


Answered by
Lord Hanson of Flint Portrait
Lord Hanson of Flint
Minister of State (Home Office)
This question was answered on 20th March 2026

On each occasion a sponsor wishes to recruit a skilled worker and bring them to the UK from overseas, they must apply for a defined certificate of sponsorship. Every request is assessed against specific criteria, including ensuring the role is genuine and that appropriate salary levels will be paid.

Where a sponsor wishes to employ a skilled worker that is already working or studying legally in the UK, they require an undefined certificate of sponsorship. Some trusted sponsors receive an automated annual allocation of undefined certificates of sponsorship. Trusted sponsors are those that have robust HR systems and a positive track record of compliance with our policies and procedures. This is kept under constant review

However, any requests from those without an automated allocation or for additional certificates, requested in-year, are assessed in line with the process set out above

At each touch point a sponsor makes with the Immigration System, including the application for Certificates of Sponsorship, their suitability is assessed and if concerns are identified they are fully investigated. This has led to record numbers of revocations of Sponsor Licences during the tenure of this Government.

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