Support for displaced international care workers

If you have received a letter from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) saying your sponsor (employer) has had their licence revoked, you are considered a displaced international recruit.

Do not accept threats of deportation by your employer. They cannot deport you. They must tell the Home Office if they stop sponsoring you. The Home Office will decide whether to cancel your visa or not. If the Home Office does decide to cancel your visa, they will write to let you know.

You may need to find another sponsor if you want to continue to work and stay in the UK.

What happens next

If the revocation is upheld you will get a second letter from UKVI one month later. This letter will state that your Certificate of Sponsorship has been cancelled. You will then have 60 days to find new employment.

Support

If you need further information after you get your letter, call the UKVI contact centre on 0300 790 6268 and choose option 2. Lines are open Monday to Thursday (excluding bank holidays) 9am to 4.45pm and Friday (excluding bank holidays) 9am to 4.30pm.

Guidance to help international recruits looking for jobs by the Department for Health and Social Care.

Help to understand your rights

Citizens Advice can provide free, independent legal advice. They have produced guidance and advice for those on a health and care visa, including for if a carer loses their job.

Law centres also offer free legal advice.

GOV.UK have an Adviser Finder and a list of organisations that may offer support.

Justice and Care have developed guidance for international workers in the care sector – it includes information on employment rights, labour exploitation and how to report concerns.

Employment rights

You may want to raise concerns if you feel you:

• have been underpaid or not received money for hours worked
• had money taken away from your pay
• have a contractual repayment cause in your contract

ACAS provides free, impartial advice to employees on workplace rights and rules. They can also help with dispute resolution. You can get advice from the ACAS website or call their helpline on 0300 123 1100.

The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 6.00 pm. Care workers can join a trade union. Unions provide advice on employment rights and support with grievances or concerns with employers.

Access to benefits

Find out if you could get help with housing or financial support.

We also have local information in our Money Matters section.

Support with housing

If your previous employer or sponsor provided your accommodation, seek advice from Citizens Advice or Shelter. These organisations also offer tenancy and other housing advice.

Support if you have suffered abuse

Your employer could have taken advantage of you if you:

• Had your wages withheld, excessive deductions from wages, received pay below National Living Wage, or were underpaid for hours worked.
• Worked excessively long hours
• Were made to pay excessive fees or excessive repayment clauses.
• Received threats to your immigration status if you failed to comply or refused to work extra hours.
• Suffered physical abuse, harassment, or violence

If you’re a victim of labour exploitation, call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or file a report online.  Further information is available through Are you being treated unfairly? – SESCA.

Finding a job

We offer help and support to find and apply for employment.