7. The consequences of dismissal: when a worker loses sponsorship
For most migrant workers on sponsored visas, dismissal or redundancy doesn’ t just mean the loss of a job – it also means the loss of sponsorship and their legal right to live and work in the UK. When a worker is dismissed, the employer notifies the Home Office, and the countdown begins. The worker will receive a visa cancellation or curtailment letter from the Home Office’ s UK Visas and Immigration( UKVI) section( this can take a few months to arrive), and then they have just 60 days – or until their visa expiry date, if sooner – to find a new employer that will sponsor them, otherwise they must leave the country.
This short timeframe creates extreme stress and hardship. Workers lose not just their income but their housing, their plans for settlement, and their sense of safety. They may also be supporting family members who depend on them.
In practice:
• Many workers do not get a formal letter of dismissal and are unsure if their visa has been cancelled.
• Some only find out when their shifts stop or their sponsor tells the Home Office without informing them.
• Others are told so late that there’ s little time left to act.
“ We’ ve been dropped like we no longer exist. I need to support my family but my new job hasn’ t started yet. I’ m also worried that I may have to cover the costs of finding a new sponsor.” – Care worker from the Philippines
Workers in this situation face multiple barriers:
• Finding a new employer who holds a sponsorship licence
• Having to cover further visa application costs( sometimes thousands of pounds, note: workers being charged sponsorship costs is unlawful)
• Navigating confusing immigration rules while under pressure
• Lack of a reference from their previous employer or access to documentation
34 LRD • Supporting migrant workers