From 1 October 2026, significant changes to the UK’s Right to Work (RTW) regime will come into force. The reforms expand RTW obligations beyond traditional employment relationships and bring a wider range of labour arrangements within the scope of the illegal working regime. The changes have been introduced to combat illegal working within a variety of labour models including outsourced labour, temporary and contract workers and subcontracting structures. Sectors such as co

A civil penalty for illegal working can expose an employer to a fine of up to £60,000 per illegal worker. Although effective Right to Work checks are the first line of defence, employers must also be aware of how to respond if the Home Office issues a penalty. This article outlines the process following a Civil Penalty Notice and sets out the steps employers can take to challenge such notices. Identifying a breach: What steps will the Home Office take? The Home Office draws o

The Home Office has introduced a number of important updates to the Sponsor Guidance which will impact how organisations manage their sponsor licences and SMS users. Key changes sponsors should be aware of include: ✅ Level 2 Users New Level 2 users can only be added to a sponsor licence until 9 September 2026. Existing Level 2 users must be converted to Level 1 users (where eligible) or deactivated by 8 March 2027. ✅ Inactive SMS Users SMS users must access their accounts reg

Recent figures released by the Home Office indicate a sharp rise in enforcement action against Skilled Worker sponsors. In the first quarter of 2026, 1,712 sponsor licences were suspended and 1,545 were revoked, compared with just 339 suspensions and 276 revocations during the same period of 2025. Sponsor licence holders must therefore proactively review their internal systems, ensure key personnel understand their sponsor duties, and address any gaps in compliance before the

The UK’s Student visa route allows most overseas nationals over the age of 16 to study in the UK with an approved academic institution (or "sponsor"). To support a visa application, the sponsor must first assign a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to the individual setting out the details of the student and the course they are being sponsored to undertake. A Student visa is not required where: An individual is a citizen of Ireland. An individual holds settled o

The UK regularly welcomes athletes from across the globe. From competing in major tournaments such as the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, taking part in international events such as the Tour de France 2027, or joining a professional sports club on a longer-term basis, international athletes continue to play a vital role in the UK's vibrant sporting landscape. Whilst immigration considerations may not be at the forefront of an athlete’s mind, athletes must take into considera

Visitors to the UK who do not already hold a valid immigration permission, for example as a Skilled Worker, will generally need to obtain either an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or a Visitor visa before travelling to the UK. The type of permission required will depend primarily on the individual’s nationality, but other factors such as criminal convictions will also have an impact. Failure to secure the appropriate permission before travel may result in an individual