The Home Office has released the latest CSV version of the Worker and Temporary Worker sponsor register, dated 20 October 2026. An initial analysis by Relocate-Analytics shows 812 organisations appearing for the first time, including fast-growing AI firm CuspAI, fintech scale-up Tidewave and regional NHS trusts in Cumbria and Kent. Why it matters: only employers on this list can issue Certificates of Sponsorship, the critical step in obtaining a Skilled Worker, Scale-up or Global Business Mobility visa. The influx of new licence-holders suggests labour shortages remain acute despite a 17 % drop in visa grants year-to-date. Sectors with the biggest increase were health & care (31 %), advanced manufacturing (18 %) and climate-tech start-ups (12 %). For HR teams the new release is also a compliance alarm: UKVI uses the public register to crowd-source intelligence. Any company whose name, address or routes are incorrect risks anonymous tip-offs leading to an unannounced audit. Sponsors that revoked their licence but still appear on the list are urged to contact UKVI immediately to avoid fines. Relocation providers should update internal databases so that offer letters and intragroup transfer plans reflect a sponsor’s exact registered name and rating (‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘Provisional’). Recruiters can cross-reference the CSV against Companies House to spot newly authorised employers that could poach scarce talent.
