UK Expands Immigration Protection for Modern Slavery, Abuse Victims
The Home Office said the rule will help victims leave abusive sponsors and report exploitation earlier, after 6,003 potential victims were referred this year.
- On Thursday, September 3, 2026, the government introduced new protections allowing recognized modern slavery victims on Skilled Worker visas to leave exploitative employers without risking their legal right to remain in Britain.
- Migrant workers, particularly in the Care Worker sector, have faced significant exploitation because their legal status depended on specific sponsoring employers, a vulnerability abusive employers frequently used to prevent workers from leaving.
- Minister for Migration and Citizenship Jo White reported the government has revoked more than 7,500 sponsor licences, including 1,800 in the care sector, addressing abuses within the sponsorship system.
- To qualify, workers must receive a positive Conclusive Grounds decision through the National Referral Mechanism; the government stated the measure aims to "incentivise victims to come forward early."
- While the Home Office announced the change took effect "from today," the formal Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, HC 584, lists the Skilled Worker amendment APP SW2 as taking effect on October 8, 2026.
25 Articles
25 Articles
UK expands immigration protection for modern slavery, abuse victims
The UK will expand immigration protections from October 8 for some victims of modern slavery and domestic abuse. Skilled Workers identified as modern slavery victims will be allowed to work for any employer, while domestic abuse protections will be extended to eligible adult dependent children.
New UK visa rules allow modern slavery victims to leave abusive employers
The UK Government has changed its immigration rules to make it easier for recognised victims of modern slavery working under Skilled Worker visas to leave abusive employers and find new jobs without losing their immigration status. The UK Home Office announced the change on Thursday, September 3, saying it was aimed at preventing vulnerable workers from […] New UK visa rules allow modern slavery victims to leave abusive employers
UK changes visa rules to let modern slavery victims leave abusive employers, offering relief to African migrant workers
The United Kingdom has announced changes to its immigration rules that will allow Skilled Worker visa holders formally recognised as victims of modern slavery to leave abusive employers and work elsewhere without putting their immigration status at risk.
Foreign workers in the United Kingdom who are officially recognised as victims of modern slavery will be able to leave abusive employers and will be able to engage anywhere until the expiry of the visa, without losing their right to stay. The measure, which comes into force on Thursday, concerns even carers, chefs and workers in the hospitality industry whose visas for skilled workers were so far linked to a single employer-sponsor, a situation …
UK eases immigration rules for modern slavery victims to change employers
The UK government has eased immigration rules, allowing modern slavery victims on Skilled Worker visas to leave exploitative employers without risking thei Read More: https://punchng.com/uk-eases-immigration-rules-for-modern-slavery-victims-to-change-employers/
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