UK eases immigration rules so modern slavery victims can change employers

Recognized victims of modern slavery in the United Kingdom can now leave exploitative employers without putting their immigration status at risk.

The change applies to people on Skilled Worker visas who the Home Office Competent Authorities identify as modern slavery victims. They can work for any employer for the remaining duration of their existing immigration permission.

The Home Office said the measure would prevent victims from being trapped by their immigration status. “No victim of modern slavery should be trapped with an exploitative employer because of their immigration status,” it said. The department added that qualifying workers could leave abusive employers and work elsewhere without risking their status.

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No victim of modern slavery should be trapped with an exploitative employer because of their immigration status.

The provision appears in the Explanatory Memorandum to the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, HC 584, published on September 3, 2026. The memorandum notes that the Skilled Worker route normally permits employment only in the specific sponsored job, meaning visa holders generally cannot take other work if they stop working in that role.

The government said lifting that restriction for recognized victims should encourage them to report exploitation sooner. It also said the measure would guard against people who misuse the sponsorship system to exploit vulnerable workers.

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incentivise victims to come forward early