Victims of modern slavery on Skilled Worker visas who have been formally recognised will now be free to leave abusive employers without risking their immigration status, the Home Office has said. This is general information only, not personal immigration advice — always check the official GOV.UK page, as rules change. The change took effect from 8 October 2026 as part of Statement of Changes HC 584, laid before Parliament on 3 September 2026.

Who it covers, and what changes

Skilled Worker visa holders are not normally permitted to take up other work if they are not continuing in the job they are sponsored to do. From 8 October, that restriction may be lifted for a worker recognised as a victim of modern slavery through a positive Conclusive Grounds decision via the National Referral Mechanism. Once notified of the change to their immigration conditions, the individual will be allowed to work with minimal restrictions — including undertaking self-employment and voluntary work — for the rest of their existing Skilled Worker visa. The remaining restriction is that they will not be allowed to work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach, and there is no change to the restriction on accessing prescribed public funds.

The gap campaigners are watching

The Home Office's own statistics bulletin, published the day before its 9 October announcement, puts the median wait for a Conclusive Grounds decision at 65 days, counted only from a case that already has a positive Reasonable Grounds decision in hand — so the freedom to move does not arrive instantly. Details of how the process will work in practice are yet to be fully released. Combined with a temporary arrangement for adult social care workers after sponsor licence revocation, the change could encourage more victims to come forward — but anyone affected should seek advice and check GOV.UK for their own circumstances.