'Absurd!' More than 150 kebab shops given Home Office licenses to hire migrants from overseas

A total of 159 kebab shops across Britain have been granted Home Office licences allowing them to sponsor overseas workers under the skilled worker visa scheme.

The licences enable businesses to recruit workers from abroad, with sponsored employees often able to bring family members with them to the UK.

The figures have sparked criticism from senior Conservatives and migration campaigners, who argue the system is being stretched far beyond its original purpose.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the arrangements as "a disgrace".

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"Many sponsored workers won't be highly skilled," he said.

Conservative MP Neil O'Brien also criticised the scheme, branding it "absurd" and warning that "a lot of 'work' is fake-visa milling".

The Centre for Migration Control said the figures suggested the sponsorship system was "out of control".

Under current rules, skilled worker visas generally require applicants to earn at least £41,700 a year or meet the occupation's designated salary threshold.

Home Office records show that 56 kebab shops used their sponsorship licences to recruit overseas workers between 2021 and 2023.

One business, Baba Kebabish in East Ham, was allocated seven visas during that period for roles classified under accommodation and food service activities.

There is no suggestion the business has committed any wrongdoing or has any connection to visa fraud.

Official records also show that 79 vape shops and 16 car washes also hold licences permitting them to sponsor overseas workers.

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Critics argue the range of businesses accessing the scheme raises questions about whether the route is being used for genuinely skilled roles.

The data also comes after a series of enforcement actions against employers found to be breaking immigration rules.

Between October and December 2025, 13 kebab shops were fined up to £90,000 for employing illegal workers.

Businesses seeking sponsorship licences must pay a fee of £536 and demonstrate that they are offering legitimate employment opportunities.

The Government has defended the system, insisting it has already tightened the rules surrounding work visas.

Ministers say more than 100 occupations have been removed from eligibility lists in recent reforms designed to reduce net migration.

A Government spokesman said record numbers of people abusing the immigration system were now being identified and removed.

The Home Office has also maintained that sponsorship licences are only granted after businesses meet strict requirements and demonstrate a genuine need to recruit workers from overseas.

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