Introduction
The latest update to the UKVI’s Register of Licensed Sponsors – the official list of organisations permitted to sponsor and employ non-UK nationals – was published on 22 July 2026.
The CSV file now shows 77,146 active Worker and Temporary Worker licences, up 4% on the start of the year.
Growth is also being fuelled by smaller technology, healthcare and hospitality companies, which are looking to tap global talent as domestic shortages persist.
The Home Office has announced a more aggressive approach to enforcement in April and last month 612 sponsors were downgraded to a ‘B-rating’ for violations of compliance.
For mobility experts, the register is a due diligence tool and a barometer of market sentiment.
The increase in the number of sponsors demonstrates that the Skilled Worker route remains attractive despite the increased salary thresholds and the immigration skills charge.
But the rise in downgrades means partner organisations must check before seconding people to a client site, as working for an unlawful entity could risk a Skilled Worker visa.
UKVI suggests that enterprises sign up for registration alerts to check counterparties in real time.
The next scheduled update is 29 July.
Firms who have recently submitted renewal applications should verify their licence status by looking at the list.
The number of sponsors could level out later this year if clauses in forthcoming bills raise compliance expenses more, analysts say.