Visa Changes Allow Sponsorship by Non-Traditional Employers

Despite recent changes to visa regulations, businesses such as car washes and vape shops are still able to sponsor skilled foreign workers. This follows a tightening of the rules in July 2025, which primarily limits the sponsorship scheme to graduate-level positions.

Under the new regulations, prospective employees must earn a minimum salary of £41,700 to qualify for sponsorship. The adjustments aim to focus the scheme on higher-skilled roles while still accommodating various sectors.