Sign in Subscribe
Workers

UK Government Fails to Track Visa Holders and Migrant Workers, Report Finds

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Home Office lacks basic information on the number of people leaving the UK after their visas expire and how many are working illegally, according to a report by the public accounts committee. The government has failed to analyse exit checks since the skilled worker visa route was introduced in 2020. Between December 2020 and the end of 2024, 1.18 million people applied to come to the UK on this route, with 630,000 dependants of the main visa applicant. The Home Office can only determine if a person is still in the country by matching its data with airline passenger information.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Home Office does not know how many people are leaving the UK after their visas expire, highlighting a lack of basic information.
  • Since the introduction of the skilled worker visa route in 2020, the Home Office has not analysed exit checks.
  • Between December 2020 and the end of 2024, 1.18 million people applied to come to the UK on this route, with 630,000 dependants.
  • The Home Office relies on matching its data with airline passenger information to determine if a person is still in the country.
  • An expansion of the skilled worker route in 2022 led to concerns about exploitation of migrant workers, including debt bondage, excessive hours, and exploitative conditions.
  • The PAC highlighted that migrant workers are vulnerable to exploitation due to the sponsorship model, which ties a person's right to remain to their employer.
  • The Home Office revoked over 470 sponsor licenses in the care sector between July 2022 and December 2024, affecting over 39,000 workers.
  • The PAC criticized the government's response to tackling exploitation of migrant workers, stating it has been insufficient, slow, and ineffective.

Statistics:

  • 1.18 million people applied for skilled worker visas between December 2020 and the end of 2024.
  • 630,000 dependants of the main visa applicant joined the 1.18 million applicants.
  • Over 470 sponsor licenses in the care sector were revoked between July 2022 and December 2024.
  • Over 39,000 workers were associated with those revoked sponsors since October 2020.

Sources:

  • The public accounts committee (PAC) report published on Friday.
  • The Home Office's sponsorship of the skilled worker visa route.
  • "Why Britain has a social care crisis"
  • Adis Sehic, a policy manager at the Work Rights Centre.

Read more