Care workers, chefs, and other skilled workers at risk of losing their migration status if they leave an exploitative employer will be supported by new visa changes, according to the Home Office. Officials stated that if an employee is found to be a victim of modern slavery, they will be permitted to work for any employer for the remainder of their visa.
Under a scheme introduced in 2021 to address post-Brexit labour shortages, the migration status of people on skilled worker visas was tied to a sponsoring employer. This meant workers risked having to leave the UK if they lost their job and could not quickly find a new sponsoring employer.
From Thursday, 3 September 2026, the restriction tying an individual's immigration status to a specific sponsor will be lifted if they receive a positive "conclusive grounds" decision, formally recognising them as a victim of modern slavery through the national referral mechanism. The Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Jo White, said the changes would give victims "the freedom to leave abusive workplaces and rebuild their lives."
Campaigners have previously warned that the sponsorship rule was being exploited by some employers. Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol, CEO of the Work Rights Centre, cautioned that while the changes "could be a gamechanger," their impact "depends on how accessible the modern slavery framework is."