More than 3,600 takeaway food outlets across the United Kingdom are authorized to sponsor skilled worker visas, raising concerns that these establishments may be exploiting a loophole to facilitate migration under the guise of skilled employment, according to recent government data analysis.

The skilled worker visa program permits foreign nationals to live and work in the UK if they meet specified requirements related to their job role, salary, and English language proficiency. However, analysis reveals that a substantial number of such sponsors operate within lower-wage sectors, particularly within the food service industry. In London alone, over 1,000 takeaway shops qualify as sponsors, including at least 100 establishments specializing in chicken, kebab, or pizza delivery.

This has prompted criticism from Conservative politicians, who argue that the skilled worker visa route is being used as a backdoor to allow low-paid labor into the country. Chris Philp, the Conservative shadow home secretary, described the situation as evidence of systemic abuse, stating that it undermines British workers and imposes costs on taxpayers. Philp called for an end to what he described as "low-skill mass immigration" by introducing a binding cap on immigration and tightening visa eligibility criteria.

Government figures show that nearly half of the 122,740 UK businesses licensed to sponsor skilled worker visas operate in industries categorized by the Low Pay Commission as low-paying. Nearly 10 percent of these sponsors belong to the restaurant and mobile food service sectors, including around 5,000 restaurants, 3,600 takeaway outlets, and over 2,600 unlicensed food establishments. Median annual earnings for employees in these sectors are reported to be just under £30,000—below the £41,700 minimum salary threshold generally required for the skilled worker visa.

The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is currently facing pressure from Labour MPs who oppose her proposed changes aimed at tightening immigration rules. Set to take effect from December, the new policies will increase the immigration skills charge by 32 percent, raising the cost for employers sponsoring skilled worker visas from £1,000 to a higher amount per hire.

The Home Office has been contacted for comment but has not yet issued a response.