UK Skilled Worker Visa 2026: The Home Office said today it had cleared the backlog of modern-slavery cases through its National Referral Mechanism (NRM), decreasing the number of files awaiting a ‘conclusive-grounds’ decision from more than 31,000 in 2023 to just 6,277 as of 30 September 2026. Victims on Skilled Worker visas will now be able to transfer to any authorised employer for the duration of their permit.
Background
Until now, a positive NRM decision has taken two years or more, during which time sponsored workers who have been trafficked or exploited have been formally bound to the very employers who harmed them. This discouraged whistle-blowing and drove some victims underground, law firms and NGOs contended.
This is due to Statement of Changes HC 584 which altered paragraph SW 18.3 of the Immigration Rules and eased the conditions of sponsorship once a positive conclusive-grounds decision is made. Recognised victims can be employed by employers without needing a new Certificate of Sponsorship as long as the original visa is still valid.
- Full right-to-work checks still need to be carried out by businesses, but there should be fewer demands for ‘rescue’ CoS or incurring costs of relocation.
- Mobility managers should examine global mobility policies to ensure that anti-slavery clauses extend to supply chain partners, given the predicted increase in enforcement activity.
- Sponsorship teams should update internal guidance: when the Home Office informs a change of conditions, the worker’s digital status (eVisa) will indicate “Work permitted – any employer except as a professional sportsperson”.
Wider Context
Clearing the backlog delivers on a cabinet goal for 2024 and eliminates a key restriction on removals of denied asylum seekers whose cases were blocked in the NRM. It also backs the forthcoming Immigration and Asylum Bill which will impose a statutory obligation on large businesses to eliminate the danger of modern slavery in their business.
More unannounced compliance audits are expected in the hotel, care and construction sectors, which rely significantly on sponsored labour.
Looking Ahead
The Home Office said it will publish an enlarged victim-support package in early 2027 and consult on mandatory reporting for sponsors who uncover symptoms of exploitation.
Global mobility teams should be aware of secondary legislation which sets forth the time limits for sponsors to update the Sponsor Management System when a victim changes employment.