Black Market Emerges in UK Skilled-Worker Visa System
The Times reported on Tuesday that its investigation uncovered a network taking advantage of the skilled worker visa program, which was launched in 2020 to tackle labor shortages. The scheme permits authorized UK companies to sponsor foreign employees via Home Office Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).
According to the findings, agents reportedly collect an applicant’s identification documents and issue a CoS, then fabricate payroll and tax documentation. On official records, the migrant appears skilled, well-compensated, and qualified for a skilled worker visa, The Times explained.
In practice, the article states, the “payroll-only” roles involve no actual employment, pushing migrants into cash-in-hand jobs once their visas are approved. Individuals must repay the fictitious wages along with additional charges, sometimes totaling hundreds of pounds monthly, or they risk losing their sponsorship.
The counterfeit job visas can reportedly cost up to £20,000 ($27,500) and are primarily sought by those facing deportation or entry restrictions, as well as international students wishing to remain after their visas expire. Agents earn commissions for facilitating the arrangements.
The Times noted that its four-month probe, incorporating secret filming and interviews with numerous visa agents, documented over 250 fake job offers, mostly advertised on social media. The complete scale of the fraudulent operation remains uncertain.
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