Victims of modern slavery who came to Britain on Skilled Worker visas can now walk away from abusive sponsors without losing their right to stay, according to the government. The change, which took effect today, applies once the Home Office formally recognises someone as a victim.
Key points
- Freedom to leave — recognised victims are no longer tied to the sponsor named on their visa.
- Any lawful work — they can take a job with another employer for the remainder of their visa.
- No recourse to benefits — Skilled Worker visa holders still cannot claim public funds, so a new job is the route to income.
- Sponsor crackdown — more than 6,600 sponsors have lost their licences since the current government took office.
Previously, leaving a bad sponsor put a worker's status and earnings at risk at the same time. Because Skilled Worker visa holders cannot claim public funds, many stayed put rather than face losing both their income and their permission to remain in the country.
The government points to one case in which a woman paid an agency £20,000 for what she thought would be steady full-time care work. Her sponsor instead charged her £400 a month to keep her visa active and gave her little or no work. She fell behind on rent, struggled to support her family and was repeatedly warned her visa would be cancelled. When shifts did arrive, she was paid between £200 and £300 a month, far less than promised.
Migration and Citizenship Minister Jo White said no one should have to endure such exploitation and that the changes give victims the freedom to leave abusive workplaces and rebuild their lives. She added that rogue sponsors who exploit workers will face the full force of the law.
The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Eleanor Lyons, said she had heard from survivors who felt trapped because leaving could cost them their livelihood and immigration status. The Salvation Army's Major Heather Grinsted said being able to work for another sponsor for the rest of a visa helps survivors regain financial independence. The government says the measure sits alongside its wider Immigration White Paper plans to make it easier for sponsored workers to change employer.
What it means in practice
For anyone on a Skilled Worker visa, the practical change is that a recognised victim no longer has to stay with the employer named on their visa. The catch is that recognition comes first, and there is still no access to public funds, so income depends on finding another lawful job.
- If you are affected — keep evidence of pay, hours and any fees demanded, and seek recognition as a victim as early as you can.
- If you are job hunting — a new sponsor must still be licensed, so check the register before accepting work.
- If an employer breaks the rules — report it, because sponsors found exploiting workers can be referred to the police.
