We are continuing to work with the Home Office on progressing policy and scope to deliver this commitment in a way that is fair, comprehensive and achievable.

UKVI uses HMRC data as part of a broader intelligence driven compliance approach to help identify potential concerns about sponsor compliance. HMRC information provides an initial indicator of whether sponsored workers appear to be receiving the salary recorded on their Certificate of Sponsorship and helps target compliance resources towards cases that may require further examination.

Where concerns are identified, UKVI undertakes further investigation, which may include consideration of additional intelligence, engagement with partner agencies, requests for documentary evidence and, where appropriate, compliance visits or audits. We recognise that HMRC data has limitations and therefore potential discrepancies identified through HMRC checks are subject to manual assessment and further investigation before compliance action is considered.

Immigration Enforcement has Immigration Compliance and Enforcement teams across the UK that identify suspected breaches and take proportionate action. This activity supports both the detection of non-compliance and the deterrence of future breaches.

A combination of intelligence-led operations, data analysis, data sharing with relevant partners and compliance visits helps the Department identify visa holders who may have ceased to comply with the conditions of their leave. Where a breach is established, action may include curtailment of leave, removal from the UK or prosecution, where appropriate.

Sponsors have a responsibility as part of holding a licence to report changes of circumstances to the Home Office that may impact on the visa status. This includes, but is not limited to, ceasing to study and ceasing employment. If a sponsor is found not to be complying with their sponsorship duties in reporting relevant changes, we will take appropriate formal action up to and including removing their sponsor licence.

Details of the sponsorship duties are set out in our published guidance Sponsorship: guidance for employers and educators - GOV.UK

If an individual is found to have breached their conditions or has had their sponsorship withdrawn, the Home Office will take cancellation action in line with our published rules and guidance: Cancellation and curtailment of permission (accessible) - GOV.UK

UKVI uses HMRC data as part of a broader intelligence driven compliance approach to help identify potential concerns about sponsor compliance. HMRC information provides an initial indicator of whether sponsored workers appear to be receiving the salary recorded on their Certificate of Sponsorship and helps target compliance resources towards cases that may require further examination.

Where concerns are identified, UKVI undertakes further investigation, which may include consideration of additional intelligence, engagement with partner agencies, requests for documentary evidence and, where appropriate, compliance visits or audits. We recognise that HMRC data has limitations and therefore potential discrepancies identified through HMRC checks are subject to manual assessment and further investigation before compliance action is considered.

Immigration Enforcement has Immigration Compliance and Enforcement teams across the UK that identify suspected breaches and take proportionate action. This activity supports both the detection of non-compliance and the deterrence of future breaches.

A combination of intelligence-led operations, data analysis, data sharing with relevant partners and compliance visits helps the Department identify visa holders who may have ceased to comply with the conditions of their leave. Where a breach is established, action may include curtailment of leave, removal from the UK or prosecution, where appropriate.

Sponsors have a wider responsibility to ensure workers they sponsor comply with their immigration conditions. If UKVI become aware that a worker has not complied with the conditions (rules) of their permission to stay in the UK then UKVI can take compliance action which can include revocation of their sponsor licence. Guidance is available at Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 3: sponsor duties and compliance (accessible) - GOV.UK

No estimate of the proportion of visa holders whose whereabouts are easily identifiable is held.

All sponsors of migrants coming to the UK in order to work and study are required as part of their licensing arrangements to report to the Home Office on changes of circumstances of the migrants they are sponsoring.

The Home Office remains committed to making improvements where they can be achieved within existing resources. This includes a programme of continuous improvement in data management and caseworking platforms as part of the Home Office’s delivery of its digital immigration system. The introduction of eVisas and Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) means the Home Office knows more about everyone coming to the UK, improving data quality and enabling upstream interventions. As the Home Office moves to a fully digital system, eVisas will increasingly update in real time when status changes, automatically revoking access to work, benefits, housing, and services, unlike physical documents that can be misused after expiry. Immigration status information is available automatically through system-to-system checks with public authorities and government departments.

Alongside this, the Home Office is developing a new digital capability, to be implemented in 2026, to help determine whether individuals have complied, or are complying, with conditions on the time they may stay in the UK. This will also make it easier to share travel and immigration compliance data with caseworkers and downstream services for a variety of analytical and operational needs.

There are currently no plans to introduce a separate earlier application window for speakers attending events in the UK.

The three-month application window for visit visas is a longstanding operational policy designed to ensure decisions are based on an applicant's most up-to-date circumstances. It applies equally to all visitors and helps maintain the integrity of the immigration system.

The Home Office publishes service standards of three weeks for non-settlement visit visa applications made outside the UK. In addition, a range of paid priority services are available in many locations, providing applicants and event organisers with flexibility where a faster decision is required.

The Home Office will continue to keep this approach under review.

Applications for visas on the affected routes from the affected nationalities are now being refused. The latest public immigration statistics show that visa applications for the affected routes and nationalities in Q2 2026 have on average fallen by over 90% compared to Q4 2025.

The visa brake for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan will be reviewed by the Home Office after 18 months after imposition. This principally involves an assessment of the risk of future visa-linked asylum claims. It does not mean the visa brake will necessarily be lifted. The brake will only be lifted once the government assesses it appropriate to do so and it is clear that there has been a reduction in the risk of high proportions of visa-linked asylum claims recommencing on these routes from these nationalities.

Applications for visas on the affected routes from the affected nationalities are now being refused. The latest public immigration statistics show that visa applications for the affected routes and nationalities in Q2 2026 have on average fallen by over 90% compared to Q4 2025.

The visa brake for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan will be reviewed by the Home Office after 18 months after imposition. This principally involves an assessment of the risk of future visa-linked asylum claims. It does not mean the visa brake will necessarily be lifted. The brake will only be lifted once the government assesses it appropriate to do so and it is clear that there has been a reduction in the risk of high proportions of visa-linked asylum claims recommencing on these routes from these nationalities.

On 29 July, the Prime Minister set out his objectives to reform the social care system, and brought forward the timetable for Baroness Casey’s commission to inform that reform programme. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-sets-out-new-path-to-fix-social-care-together-29-july-2026

As part of its work, the Casey Commission has been considering the best way to provide safeguards against abuse and neglect. In response to its initial recommendations on safeguarding in March, we have set up a new National Adult Safeguarding Board. The board will work to strengthen national accountability for safeguarding and will also look at how data can be used to inform action at local and national level. Further information about the board’s work is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/national-adult-safeguarding-board

On 29 July, the Prime Minister set out his objectives to reform the social care system, and brought forward the timetable for Baroness Casey’s commission to inform that reform programme. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-sets-out-new-path-to-fix-social-care-together-29-july-2026

As part of its work, the Casey Commission has been considering the best way to provide safeguards against abuse and neglect. In response to its initial recommendations on safeguarding in March, we have set up a new National Adult Safeguarding Board. The board will work to strengthen national accountability for safeguarding and will also look at how data can be used to inform action at local and national level. Further information about the board’s work is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/national-adult-safeguarding-board

The Home Office assesses the effectiveness of its visa compliance and enforcement activity through intelligence, operational outcomes, data analysis and compliance activity. Immigration Enforcement has Immigration Compliance and Enforcement teams across the UK that identify suspected breaches and take proportionate action. This activity supports both the detection of non-compliance and the deterrence of future breaches.

A combination of intelligence-led operations, data analysis, data sharing with relevant partners and compliance visits helps the Department identify visa holders who may have ceased to comply with the conditions of their leave. Where a breach is established, action may include curtailment of leave, removal from the UK or prosecution, where appropriate.