{"id":330434,"date":"2025-08-09T11:36:25","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T11:36:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/330434\/"},"modified":"2025-08-09T11:36:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T11:36:25","slug":"dozens-of-london-underground-staff-could-be-deported-after-visa-rule-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/330434\/","title":{"rendered":"Dozens of London Underground staff could be deported after visa rule change"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Home Office has been urged to reverse \u201cunfair and short-sighted\u201d rule changes on the sponsorship of foreign workers which could lead to dozens of Transport for London (TfL) employees being deported.<\/p>\n

More than 60 transport staff who came to the UK on skilled worker visas could be deported following increased salary thresholds for visa sponsorship and the removal of key transport roles from the eligible list.<\/p>\n

It is believed that many workers took the jobs on two-year graduate visa schemes believing they could move into skilled worker positions in the future, according to the RMT trade union.<\/p>\n

Hina Bokhari, who leads the Liberal Democrat group on the London Assembly, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): \u201cDeporting vital Tube staff because of sudden last-minute rule changes is unfair and short-sighted.<\/p>\n

\u201cLondon relies on the skills and commitment of these people \u2013 we need a fair immigration system that values workers\u2019 contributions and supports our public services, not one that ruins lives and damages our economy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Green Party Assembly Member Caroline Russell told the LDRS \u201cIt\u2019s sickening that TfL workers who gained a skilled worker visa in good faith have had their secure employment removed by the Government at the stroke of a pen.<\/p>\n

\u201cLondon has a proud heritage of skilled workers coming to support its transport system, and that shouldn\u2019t be brought to an end. The Government should withdraw these cruel changes that are going to ruin lives by sending away the workers London depends upon.\u201d<\/p>\n

TfL are obliged to comply with the changes, which took effect on July 22 and will remain in place until at least the end of 2026. It said it was working with at-risk employees to explore other routes to be able to work in the UK after their visa expires.<\/p>\n

Eddie Dempsey, the RMT General Secretary, told the LDRS: \u201cIt\u2019s completely wrong to punish workers by deporting them when they have built their lives here and are making a daily contribution to keeping London moving.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur members took these jobs in good faith, on the understanding that they could progress and continue building their futures here. Now the new government rules risk shattering these workers\u2019 lives and leaving gaps in employment for London Underground.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery country needs a practical and fair immigration policy but this is neither of those and ends up treating vital transport workers disgracefully. RMT will not rest until we have a just outcome for our members and will be supporting them as best we can throughout.\u201d<\/p>\n

TfL currently offers a \u00a331,000 starting salary for graduates and advises candidates who would require sponsorship \u201cto determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship\u201d prior to applying.<\/p>\n

Trainee station staff are believed to earn between \u00a335,300 and \u00a341,800, the latter of which is just \u00a3100 above the new sponsorship threshold.<\/p>\n

\u2018I have done everything asked of me\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

An anonymous testimony from an at-risk employee, seen by the LDRS, reads: \u201cI love my job, my fellow RMT colleagues and helping passengers every day. I want to see how far I can go in TfL, get promoted and learn new skills.<\/p>\n

\u201cI volunteer for overtime when I can as I only live a short distance from my workplace. I have done everything asked of me. I turn up to work on time, I pay my taxes and I feel settled in this country, looking forward to building my life here with my family.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do not want charity. I just want a fair chance to work, live and stay here, helping to keep our great capital moving because at heart, I am a Londoner just like everyone else. But now that could all be ripped away from my family and I.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did I do wrong? What did any of my 60 colleagues facing the same fate, do wrong? I have seen them go above and beyond their normal work duties, even preventing vulnerable members of the travelling public from committing suicide on the network.<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting the news that my job was now not on a list which would make me eligible to stay in the country, has taken an enormous toll on me and my family. It was like a nuclear bomb going off in our household as it affects us all.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome what may, I will continue to get up early, do my job professionally, and support passengers every day for as long as I can. I hope TfL can find me a new visa so my family and I can stay. I also hope the Home Secretary will reflect on the fact these changes affect people like me who see their long-term future in Britain. This is my home, let me stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

A TfL spokesperson told the LDRS: \u201cDue to the recent changes in salary and skills thresholds for visa sponsorship, some colleagues currently working at TfL on a visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship when their current visa expires.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are working with all colleagues affected by the changes, as their current visa approaches expiry, to understand whether they have other routes to work in the UK available to them and to support them where possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Home Office spokesperson said: \u201cThe Immigration White Paper sets out a comprehensive strategy to restore order to our immigration system. It links immigration policy with skills and visa frameworks to strengthen the domestic workforce, reduce dependency on overseas labour, and boost economic growth.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnder this approach, every sector will be required to implement a workforce strategy focused on training British workers, or risk losing access to the immigration system, as part of wider efforts to reinforce the integrity of the points-based system and end dependence on lower-skilled international recruitment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udce9
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\n \"Dozens<\/p>\n

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