The Home Office introduced revised Skilled Worker visa rules on 9 October 2026 that allow recognised modern‑slavery victims to leave their sponsoring employer and take up any lawful work for the remainder of their visa.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship Jo White announced the change, saying it addresses a long‑standing vulnerability where visa holders were previously tied to a single sponsor.

Under the previous regime, workers who left an abusive sponsor risked losing both their visa and income, as Skilled Worker visa holders cannot access public funds.

The Home Office said that once a worker is formally recognised as a modern‑slavery victim, they are immediately released from their original sponsor and may seek any lawful employment.

The reform coincides with a sharp rise in enforcement actions: more than 6,600 sponsor licences have been revoked since the current government took office, including over 4,400 licences cancelled in the year to June 2026 – a 140 % increase on the previous year and the highest figure on record.

Independent Anti‑Slavery Commissioner Eleanor Lyons welcomed the change, noting that survivors had repeatedly told her they felt trapped in abusive jobs for fear of losing their immigration status.

Major Heather Grinsted of the Salvation Army added that financial independence is central to protecting survivors from future exploitation.

The measures form part of the government’s broader Immigration White Paper, which aims to make it easier for sponsored workers to change employers and reduce reliance on individual sponsors.