In July 2025, the government introduced stricter regulations for the skilled worker visa program, aiming to ensure that sponsored roles are limited to high-level, graduate-standard positions. The policy change included a significant increase in the salary threshold, requiring employers to pay sponsored staff at least £41,700 per year.

Despite these measures, reports indicate that businesses such as car washes and vape shops retain the ability to sponsor foreign workers under the current framework. While the intent of the reform was to narrow the scope of the visa scheme to professional-level employment, the continued eligibility of these specific sectors suggests that the practical application of the rules may not have fully excluded them. The BBC reports that these businesses can still utilize the sponsorship route, raising questions about the effectiveness of the government’s efforts to curb low-skilled migration through visa reforms. The government has not yet provided a detailed breakdown of how many visas are currently being issued to these specific types of small businesses following the implementation of the new salary requirements.