Five hundred Transport for London staff face deportation after new visa rules hiked salary thresholds beyond what many bus drivers and engineers can earn.
The government's immigration crackdown, which took effect in April, raised the minimum salary for Skilled Worker visas from £26,200 to £38,700 annually. TfL workers who met the old requirements now find themselves unable to qualify for visa renewals under the stricter rules.
Those at risk include bus drivers, station staff and engineers whose roles are essential to keeping the capital's transport network running. Many earn below the new threshold, putting their right to remain in the UK in jeopardy when their current visas expire.
TfL has confirmed it is exploring ways to support affected employees but acknowledged that many workers, particularly bus drivers, struggle to meet the higher salary benchmark. Without meeting the new criteria, these staff face forced departure from Britain.
The Home Office says the measures ensure only the "brightest and best" come to the UK whilst preventing British workers' wages being undercut. However, the policy threatens to strip London's transport system of experienced staff at a time when services are already under pressure.
Labour has criticised the government's failure to consider real-world consequences for sectors relying on overseas workers. The party warns the changes could worsen existing staff shortages and disrupt essential services across key industries.
Transport unions have expressed dismay at the potential loss of experienced workers from London's transport infrastructure. The departure of hundreds of skilled staff could affect service reliability for millions of daily commuters, placing additional strain on an already stretched system.
The situation highlights tensions between the government's immigration targets and the operational needs of public services that depend on international workers to function effectively.