The Home Office has released its latest enforcement statistics — and they send a very clear message: the UK is intensifying its crackdown on illegal working. For immigration advisers, sponsors, and business owners, this is more than a headline — it’s a warning to ensure every aspect of compliance is watertight.
🔍 What’s Happening
Between October 2024 and September 2025, the Home Office conducted over 11,000 enforcement visits, resulting in more than 8,000 arrests for illegal working — a 63% increase in arrests and 51% rise in visits compared to the previous year.
This spike coincides with a government consultation to expand right-to-work checks into the gig economy, subcontractors, and temporary labour markets, with potential fines of up to ÂŁ60,000 per illegal worker and possible criminal prosecution for employers who fail to comply.
These changes underline the government’s renewed commitment to tackling irregular employment and tightening control over the UK labour market.
⚖️ What It Means for Sponsors and Businesses
- Sponsor Licence Holders
Businesses with sponsor licences must go beyond simple document checks. Every step — from onboarding to payroll — must align with sponsor duties. The Home Office can (and does) conduct unannounced audits, checking HR systems, salary records, and proof of genuine employment. - Self-Sponsorship Applicants
For entrepreneurs using the Self-Sponsorship route, this crackdown highlights the need for robust HR and compliance frameworks within their new UK companies. A sponsor licence isn’t just a visa tool — it’s a legal responsibility. - Skilled Worker and ILR Pathways
Even individual applicants are affected indirectly. Working in a non-sponsored role or for a non-compliant employer can jeopardise your Skilled Worker visa or future Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) eligibility. - Compliance = Credibility
The Home Office’s priority is “credibility” — credible employers, credible sponsors, and credible job roles. Even small errors in record-keeping or delayed reporting can cause disproportionate damage to your immigration standing.
🧠Practical Takeaways
- Audit your right-to-work systems — ensure every employee, including casual and part-time workers, has valid checks in line with Home Office guidance.
- Maintain accurate HR records — contracts, payslips, job descriptions, and CoS details must all match.
- For self-sponsorship clients: build a compliance section in your business plan from day one — this is part of how Fast Track Consultancy ensures every licence application passes scrutiny.
- Train your staff: anyone handling recruitment or HR should know how to identify and report immigration irregularities.
đź’¬ Final Word from Fast Track Consultancy
At Fast Track Consultancy, we specialise in helping employers and entrepreneurs navigate the complex compliance landscape of UK immigration law. Whether you’re applying for a sponsor licence, structuring a self-sponsorship business, or preparing for ILR, staying compliant isn’t optional — it’s essential.
đź“ž Book your consultation now via fasttrackconsultancy.com or visit our Linktree to schedule a strategy call.
Let’s make sure your business and immigration journey remain on the right side of Home Office scrutiny.
