Recognised victims of modern slavery on Skilled Worker visas can now leave abusive employers and work for any employer for the remainder of their visa.
From today, once an individual is formally recognised as a victim by the Home Office, they will no longer be tied to a specific sponsor and can take up any lawful work without risking their immigration status.
Until now, victims who left an abusive sponsor risked losing both their status and their income, as Skilled Worker visa holders have no recourse to public funds.
The change, which victims and campaigners have long called for, will allow workers — including care workers who came to the UK in good faith but were exploited by rogue employers to leave abuse without facing destitution.
One victim paid an agency £20,000 for what she believed was stable, full-time care work. Instead, her sponsor demanded £400 a month just to keep her visa active while providing little or no work. When work came, she was paid £200-£300 a month. For months she struggled to pay rent and support her family under repeated threats her visa would be cancelled.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship Jo White said: “No one should have to endure the exploitation experienced by victims like this. Today’s changes will give victims the freedom to leave abusive workplaces, rebuild their lives and move on from the trauma of exploitation. While we support victims, we are also going after those responsible. Rogue sponsors who exploit workers will face the full force of the law.”
The measures are part of wider efforts to tackle modern slavery and abuse of the immigration system. Through the Immigration White Paper, the government has committed to making it easier for sponsored workers to change employer.
The victim’s former employer was among more than 6,600 sponsors stripped of their licence to hire overseas workers since this government came to power more revocations than in a decade under the previous government. Over 4,400 were stripped in the year to June 2026 alone, a 140% rise and the highest on record. Where criminality is identified, sponsors will be referred to police.
Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Eleanor Lyons said: “I welcome this change. I have heard repeatedly from survivors how they became trapped in abusive employment, fearful that leaving could put their livelihood and immigration status at risk. No victim of modern slavery should have to remain with an abusive employer.”
Salvation Army Deputy Director Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery Major Heather Grinsted said: “Allowing survivors to work for another sponsor for the remainder of their visa is a crucial way to help them rebuild their lives safely and with dignity.”
