By Urdu Report Editorial Team
London: The UK government has announced an important change to immigration rules for skilled workers who face exploitation or modern slavery by their sponsoring employers. Eligible workers will be allowed to work for another employer for the remaining period of their existing visa.
The change was announced by the UK Home Office on September 3, 2026, as part of amendments to the Immigration Rules.
Who qualifies for the new protection?
The measure applies to Skilled Workers who have been referred to the UK’s National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and have received a positive “Conclusive Grounds” decision.
Such a decision formally recognizes the person as a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking.
Once the required decision has been made, the worker’s immigration conditions can be changed. This allows them to work for another employer for the remainder of their existing immigration permission.
The new permission does not allow the worker to take employment as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
What does the change mean for exploited workers?
Under the sponsored work system, a Skilled Worker’s immigration status is generally linked to their sponsoring employer. This can make leaving an abusive workplace difficult for workers who are concerned about their immigration status.
The new measure provides an alternative for workers who have formally been recognized as victims of modern slavery or human trafficking.
The UK government says the change is intended to ensure that vulnerable migrant workers are not forced to remain with an exploitative employer because of their immigration status.
What Indian workers should know
The change may also benefit Indian citizens working in the UK under the Skilled Worker route. However, it is not a separate visa scheme specifically for Indian nationals.
A worker must meet the relevant requirements, including receiving a positive Conclusive Grounds decision through the National Referral Mechanism.
Simply leaving an employer or alleging workplace mistreatment will not automatically give a worker permission to work for another employer under this provision.
When will the new rule take effect?
The relevant amendments to the Immigration Rules are due to take effect on October 8, 2026, according to the Home Office’s Statement of Changes, HC 584.
The government has said the measure will give vulnerable migrant workers a safer route away from exploitation while also supporting action against employers where evidence of criminality or worker exploitation emerges.
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