News28 January 20262 min read
Undercover reporting highlights a black market where agents sell fraudulent Skilled Worker visa sponsorships for up to £20,000, using genuine sponsors but no real jobs. The Home Office faces criticism for weak enforcement. Legitimate workers far outnumber those involved, per industry groups.
Recent undercover work by The Times, as reported by Home Care Insight, has spotlighted issues in the Home Office's oversight of the Skilled Worker visa sponsorship process. Agents allegedly offer 'no-work' jobs through licensed sponsors, enabling applicants to gain visas and pursue long-term residency without actual employment.
Reports indicate a growing illegal market charging up to £20,000 for fake sponsorships. According to the source, this bypasses controls, but the vast majority of skilled workers operate legitimately, per the National Care Association.
The investigation, spanning four months and published on 27 January 2026, uncovered agents providing fabricated documents like CVs, payroll records, and bank statements showing high salaries. In practice, no work occurs, leaving some migrants jobless after paying fees.
Similar accounts appear in reports from Eastern Eye and The Sun, describing secret recordings of unregulated agents promoting these schemes to evade deportation. The Home Office has stated it will investigate following the exposure.
The National Care Association emphasizes that responsible providers employ legitimate skilled workers, highlighting enforcement gaps as the root issue.
The rules state that sponsors must ensure genuine job offers for Skilled Worker visas, according to Home Office guidelines. Generally, lapses in verification can lead to such abuses, though official statistics do not yet quantify the scale.
This article provides general information only, drawn from news sources like Home Care Insight and The Times. It is not legal or immigration advice.
Reports describe counterfeit CVs, contracts, payslips, and bank records simulating employment, per The Times investigation.
The Home Office has vowed to probe the schemes after media exposure, according to The Sun.
Industry bodies like the National Care Association note that the majority involve genuine employment by compliant sponsors.
Explore UK immigration trends and rules with our AI chat. General info only.
Chat NowUndercover reporting highlights a black market where agents sell fraudulent Skilled Worker visa sponsorships for up to £20,000, using genuine sponsors but no real jobs. The Home Office faces criticism for weak enforcement. Legitimate workers far outnumber those involved, per industry groups.
Recent undercover work by The Times, as reported by Home Care Insight, has spotlighted issues in the Home Office's oversight of the Skilled Worker visa sponsorship process. Agents allegedly offer 'no-work' jobs through licensed sponsors, enabling applicants to gain visas and pursue long-term residency without actual employment.
Reports indicate a growing illegal market charging up to £20,000 for fake sponsorships. According to the source, this bypasses controls, but the vast majority of skilled workers operate legitimately, per the National Care Association.
The investigation, spanning four months and published on 27 January 2026, uncovered agents providing fabricated documents like CVs, payroll records, and bank statements showing high salaries. In practice, no work occurs, leaving some migrants jobless after paying fees.
Similar accounts appear in reports from Eastern Eye and The Sun, describing secret recordings of unregulated agents promoting these schemes to evade deportation. The Home Office has stated it will investigate following the exposure.
The National Care Association emphasizes that responsible providers employ legitimate skilled workers, highlighting enforcement gaps as the root issue.
The rules state that sponsors must ensure genuine job offers for Skilled Worker visas, according to Home Office guidelines. Generally, lapses in verification can lead to such abuses, though official statistics do not yet quantify the scale.
This article provides general information only, drawn from news sources like Home Care Insight and The Times. It is not legal or immigration advice.
Reports describe counterfeit CVs, contracts, payslips, and bank records simulating employment, per The Times investigation.
The Home Office has vowed to probe the schemes after media exposure, according to The Sun.
Industry bodies like the National Care Association note that the majority involve genuine employment by compliant sponsors.
Explore UK immigration trends and rules with our AI chat. General info only.
Chat Now