Visa Fraud Exposed
The UK government is planning to halt the recruitment of care workers from abroad in an effort to cut down net migration, following a BBC investigation that revealed widespread visa fraud originating in Kerala, India.
Official Home Office data shows that in 2023 alone, the UK issued approximately 140,000 health and care visas to tackle staffing shortages in its social care sector. Indian nationals accounted for 39,000 of those visas.
While acknowledging the contributions of international care workers, the UK government stated in a press release on May 12, 2025, that “far too many have suffered abuse and exploitation.” Some workers arrived in the UK only to find no actual job awaiting them or faced unfair treatment and heavy debts.
Since 2022, the Home Office has revoked the sponsor licences of over 470 care providers for violations, which has resulted in the displacement of about 40,000 overseas staff. However, most affected workers are still in the UK and can continue working if they find verified, compliant employers.
Those who are already in the UK with valid sponsorships can still extend their visas, switch jobs, or apply for permanent residency, provided they follow immigration rules.
As part of a longer-term strategy, the UK is now investing in training local residents to reduce dependence on foreign workers in the adult social care sector. The government also plans to implement Fair Pay Agreements, which will allow sector-wide negotiations on better working conditions.
In January, the UK had already announced the expansion of the Care Workforce Pathway, a programme aimed at professionalising the care industry. Baroness Louise Casey has been appointed to lead a new independent commission focused on building a sustainable adult social care system.
BBC Investigation Reveals Widespread Visa Fraud in Kerala
This government crackdown follows a BBC exposé from March that uncovered major visa scams affecting Indian nationals. When the UK added care roles to its shortage occupation list during the pandemic, it created a flood of job offers—some of which turned out to be fake.
In Kerala’s Ernakulam district, police now receive regular complaints from people who were duped by fake agents promising UK jobs. “This isn’t limited to a few cases. There’s a clear pattern of fraud,” a police official told the BBC.
These agents reportedly target Kerala due to the state’s high migration rate and residents’ eagerness to work abroad. “Many people from Kerala are driven by economic pressures and the hope of a better life,” said Ketan Mukhija, senior partner at Burgeon Law. “That makes them easy targets for job scams.”
Unfortunately, most victims are unable to pursue justice due to the high cost of legal services. Local migrant advocacy group Thittala estimates that between 1,000 and 2,000 Keralites affected by visa scams are currently in the UK, while many more remain stranded in India after losing huge sums to fraudulent recruitment agents.
In the town of Kothamangalam, BBC journalists met about 30 individuals who said they had collectively lost crores of rupees trying to obtain UK care worker visas.
Quick Summary:
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140,000 care visas issued in 2023; 39,000 went to Indians
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Over 470 UK care agencies lost sponsorship licences
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40,000+ foreign care workers affected by enforcement actions
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Visa scam reports surge in Kerala
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Victims hesitant to seek legal help due to high costs
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UK to reduce reliance on foreign care staff, increase local training
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