A recent visa crackdown is poised to force up to 1,500 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) employees who were born abroad to leave the UK. These civil servants, many of whom provide vital benefits and JobCentre services, no longer qualify for skilled worker visas under tightened immigration rules.
According to a report by The i Paper, the Labour government has raised the eligibility criteria for skilled worker visas, limiting them to degree-level jobs only. As a result, DWP staff in roles not classified as requiring degrees can no longer be sponsored to work in the UK.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union expressed deep disappointment and a sense of betrayal over the changes. One affected worker shared their frustration, saying, “I had hopes of building a career here. My parents sacrificed a lot for me to come to the UK, and it feels like I will be going back with nothing. It’s been an anxious and disheartening time. The job is rewarding, and I wanted to contribute.”
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The government’s salary threshold for the immigration list was also raised to £33,400 as of July 2025, further limiting the pool of eligible employees.
PCS General Secretary Fran Heathcote condemned the policy, stating, “These staff members have studied in the UK, invested in their futures, and already contribute to essential services. Forcing them to leave is not just cruel—it is a loss of talent and investment the UK cannot afford.”
Labour MP Nadia Whittome described the visa changes as “a dreadful injustice,” while Tony Vaughan, MP for Folkestone and Hythe, criticized the government for “moving the goalposts” on immigration rules.
In response, a government spokesperson emphasized that visa sponsorship decisions depend on individual circumstances and assured that extensive support is provided to staff on time-limited visas.