Under the new rules taking effect on Thursday, skilled worker visa holders who receive a positive conclusive grounds decision confirming they are victims of modern slavery will be allowed to work for another employer for the remainder of their existing visa.
The change removes a post-Brexit rule that tied migrant workers’ immigration status to a specific sponsor. Introduced in 2021 under then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government, the system meant workers could risk losing their right to remain in the UK if they left an abusive employer and were unable to quickly secure another sponsor.
Campaigners have argued that the system left migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation, with some rogue employers accused of underpaying staff, forcing them to work excessive hours and subjecting them to insecure working conditions.
Maj Heather Grinsted of the Salvation Army welcomed the change, saying, “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.”
Work Rights Centre CEO Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol described the reforms as potentially a “gamechanger”, but warned that their impact would depend on how accessible the modern slavery protection system is to victims.
She said, “For almost three years we have warned the Home Office that the sponsorship system instituted after Brexit is a recipe for labour exploitation, and have urged officials to free people’s visas from their employers’ control.”
Migration and Citizenship Minister Jo White also said, “No victim of modern slavery should be trapped with an exploitative employer because of their immigration status.”
More than 6,600 sponsors have reportedly lost their licences since the Labour government came to power, including over 4,400 in the year to June 2026, representing a 140 per cent increase from the previous year.
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