The UK Home Office announced on September 3, 2026, a new policy allowing skilled workers legally in the country to change sponsors and continue working for the duration of their existing visa if they are officially recognized as victims of modern slavery or human trafficking by the National Referral Mechanism. This measure lifts the previous restriction tying the immigration status of sponsored workers to a single employer for those who receive a positive “conclusive grounds” decision.
Post-Brexit Visa Restrictions and Vulnerabilities
The initial post-Brexit sponsored work visa system locked workers to specific sponsors, creating risks of visa loss if a worker left or was forced
out by an employer without quickly securing another licensed sponsor. Campaigners flagged these rules as exposing migrant workers to exploitation risks, including unpaid wages, excessive work hours, and forced zero-hour contracts. The new Home Office adjustment aims to remove these vulnerabilities for those formally identified as abuse victims.
Sponsor License Revocations and Visa Grant Trends
Since the Labour government assumed power, more than 6,600 sponsor licenses have been revoked, with over 4,400 license losses occurring in the year ending June 2026, representing a 140% increase compared to the previous year. Immigration enforcement intensified to curb criminal behaviour among sponsors, with employers found guilty of offenses being referred
to the police. Skilled worker visa issuances decreased sharply, with roughly 111,000 visas granted in 2025, a 76% decline from the peak year ending December 2023. The UK halted new overseas applications for care-worker visas after July 2025, aligning with the tightening enforcement approach.
Affected Sectors and Impact on Indian Skilled Workers
The updated visa rule benefits care workers, chefs, hospitality workers, and other skilled professionals holding UK sponsorship visas. This reform notably impacts Indian immigrants working across healthcare, social care, and hospitality sectors in the UK. These workers can now leave abusive employers once recognized as victims through the National Referral Mechanism and be sponsored by new
employers without losing their legal right to work.
Government Statements and Further Immigration Reforms
Migration and Citizenship Minister Jo White emphasized that victims of modern slavery or trafficking should not be compelled to stay with exploitative employers due to visa restrictions. The UK government is also pursuing broader immigration reforms outlined in an ongoing immigration white paper aimed at easing sponsor switching for all skilled workers to reduce exploitation and increase worker mobility within the visa system.
