Migrant Skilled Workers recognised as victims of exploitation in UK to Get Freedom to Change Jobs

LONDON Sept 3: Skilled Workers who are officially recognised as victims of exploitation or modern slavery will be allowed to work in any occupation for the remaining validity of their existing visa, under changes announced by the UK Government. Migration and Citizenship Minister Jo White, in a written statement to Parliament, said the measure is designed to protect vulnerable workers from further exploitation and encourage victims to come forward.

The changes apply to people who entered the UK legally through the Skilled Worker route but were subsequently exploited by their employer. Once recognised as a victim of modern slavery by the Home Office, they will no longer be restricted to their sponsored occupation and can work for another employer for the remainder of their existing visa. The Government said the move is part of its wider crackdown on rogue employers and sponsors. The Home Office said it has already revoked more than 7,500 sponsor licences, including around 1,800 in the care sector, but added that further measures are needed to protect victims.

The Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules said the sponsorship system is intended to ensure overseas workers have genuine employment, receive appropriate pay and can exercise their employment rights. However, it acknowledged that some Skilled Workers have entered the UK in good faith before experiencing exploitation.

You can access the statement from here on GOV.UK. The 32-page statement (HC 584) is available here. The 15-page explanatory memorandum is available here.

How are victims identified?

Identification generally takes place through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the UK’s framework for identifying and supporting potential victims of modern slavery. A case can be referred by the worker themselves or by organisations and agencies such as an employer, police force, UK Visas and Immigration, Border Force or a local authority.  A person does not have to prove immediately that they are a victim. Where there are indicators of modern slavery, the case can be referred to the NRM.

The process generally involves:

• Referral: Information about the alleged exploitation is submitted to the NRM.
• Reasonable Grounds decision: The relevant Home Office Competent Authority considers whether there are reasonable grounds to believe the person is a victim.
• Conclusive Grounds decision: The case is subsequently assessed to determine, on the balance of probabilities, whether the person is a victim of modern slavery.
• Recognition: A positive Conclusive Grounds decision formally recognises the individual as a victim.

What does this mean for Skilled Workers?

The change is significant because an eligible worker does not necessarily need to obtain a new visa or go through the normal Skilled Worker process to change occupation. Once the person has been recognised as a victim of modern slavery through the relevant Home Office process, the restriction that normally ties a Skilled Worker to their sponsored job is lifted.

They can then work for any employer and in any occupation for the remaining period of their existing Skilled Worker permission. For example, a Skilled Worker who is threatened, has wages withheld, is forced to work excessive hours or is otherwise controlled through their immigration status could be referred to the NRM. If the Home Office subsequently recognises them as a victim of modern slavery, the new provision could allow them to leave the abusive employer and take up alternative employment without the usual sponsored-job restriction.

Importantly, holding a Skilled Worker visa does not automatically mean that someone qualifies for this protection. The individual must be identified and recognised as a victim through the relevant modern-slavery and NRM process.

There are currently two Home Office Competent Authorities involved in NRM decisions: the Single Competent Authority (SCA) and the Immigration Enforcement Competent Authority (IECA). The IECA deals with specific cohorts, while the SCA handles other NRM cases. CLICK TO KNOW MORE ABOUT Modern slavery: National Referral Mechanism and Duty to Notify

These changes to the Immigration Rules were laid on 3 September 2026. The changes will come into effect after 8 October 2026.