If I report exploitation, will I lose my visa?
This is one of the most common fears — and the most misunderstood. Here is the reality.
Employment rights apply regardless of immigration status. Raising a grievance, contacting ACAS, or making an Employment Tribunal claim does not trigger a Home Office investigation. These are civil processes, not immigration enforcement actions.
Who protects you and how
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ACAS — neutral and confidential. Helps resolve disputes. Contacting ACAS does not involve immigration authorities.
What to expect when you contact ACAS ▾
When you contact ACAS, you will speak to an adviser who will listen to your situation and explain your rights. Everything you share is confidential. ACAS will not contact your employer or immigration authorities without your permission.
If you decide to proceed to Early Conciliation, ACAS will contact your employer on your behalf and attempt to reach a settlement. Both sides are invited to negotiate — you do not have to speak directly to your employer.
Typical timelines: Early Conciliation lasts up to 6 weeks. If a settlement is not reached, ACAS issues a certificate allowing you to make an Employment Tribunal claim. You are under no obligation to settle — you can proceed to tribunal if you wish.
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Employment Tribunals — you can bring a claim regardless of visa status. Tribunals do not report claimants to the Home Office.
What to expect from the Employment Tribunal process ▾
Step 1 — You must contact ACAS first. Before making a tribunal claim, you are legally required to notify ACAS and go through Early Conciliation (see above). ACAS will issue a certificate once this is complete.
Step 2 — Submit your claim. Use the ACAS certificate to submit an ET1 claim form online at gov.uk/employment-tribunals. Most claims are free to submit.
Strict time limits apply: Most claims must be submitted within 3 months minus 1 day from the event (e.g. dismissal, underpayment). Do not delay.
Typical timelines: Simple claims may be heard within 6–12 months. Complex cases can take longer. You will receive a case number and hearing date by post. You can represent yourself — you do not need a lawyer, though legal support helps.
Your immigration status: Tribunals do not share information with the Home Office. You have the right to bring a claim regardless of your visa status.
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Whistleblowing law (Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998) — protects you from dismissal or unfair treatment if you report wrongdoing at work, including health and safety violations or illegal activity.
Important: whistleblowing and your immigration status ▾
Whistleblowing law protects you from being dismissed or mistreated by your employer for reporting wrongdoing. However, it does not protect your immigration status.
This means: if you report your employer and they withdraw their sponsorship as a result, whistleblowing law may give you a legal claim against them — but it does not automatically prevent your visa from being affected. You could find yourself without a sponsor, which puts your visa at risk.
Before whistleblowing, you should:
- Understand that you may need to find a new sponsor quickly
- Consider whether you can line up a new licensed employer first
- Seek advice from a regulated immigration adviser and an employment lawyer
- Contact Migrants At Work, Work Rights Centre, or Workers Support Centre (Scotland) for guidance specific to your situation
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The Fair Work Agency (FWA) — enforces employment rights including minimum wage. Workers can report without triggering visa action.
Important note on FWA reporting ▾
In theory, reporting to the FWA does not trigger immigration enforcement. However, we do not have full information or assurance about all outcomes in practice.
Before contacting the FWA, we recommend reaching out to one of these organisations who can advise you on your specific situation:
- Migrants At Work — info@migrantsatwork.org
- Work Rights Centre — workrightscentre.org
- Workers Support Centre (if in Scotland)
Unpaid wages or illegal deductions
- First, raise a formal grievance with your employer in writing (see the Grievance Letter section above).
- If unresolved, contact ACAS for Early Conciliation — free and confidential: 0300 123 1100.
- Report to the Fair Work Agency: 0800 917 2368 (free) or gov.uk/pay-and-work-rights
- You can bring a claim to the Employment Tribunal — you do not need a lawyer.
Health and safety violations
- Report to your employer in writing first and keep a copy.
- If nothing changes, report to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE): hse.gov.uk/contact/concerns
- You are legally protected from dismissal for raising health and safety concerns.
- If you were injured, see the Injury at Work section for evidence-gathering steps.
You think you are being exploited or controlled
- Contact the Fair Work Agency: 0345 161 6000. They investigate labour exploitation and work to support victims.
- Contact Migrant Help: 0808 8010 503 (free, 24 hours) for confidential support.
- Consider whether the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) applies — see the NRM section below for honest information about what this means in practice.
- If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
Discrimination or unfair treatment
- Keep a detailed record — dates, what was said or done, who was present.
- Raise a formal grievance (see Grievance Letter section above).
- Contact ACAS for Early Conciliation: 0300 123 1100.
- If unresolved, bring a claim to the Employment Tribunal under the Equality Act 2010. Claims must be made within 3 months minus 1 day.
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission can also provide guidance: equalityhumanrights.com
The Fair Work Agency
The Fair Work Agency (FWA) is a government body created in 2025 to bring together enforcement of workers' rights into one place. Before it existed, these responsibilities were split across several different agencies, making it confusing for workers to know who to contact.
In theory, reporting to the FWA does not trigger immigration enforcement. However, we do not have full information or assurance about all outcomes in practice.
Before contacting the FWA, we recommend reaching out to one of these organisations who can advise you on your specific situation:
- Migrants At Work — info@migrantsatwork.org
- Work Rights Centre — workrightscentre.org
- Workers Support Centre (if in Scotland) — workersupportcentre.org.uk
What the Fair Work Agency does
- Enforces the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage — they can investigate employers who underpay workers
- Ensures workers receive their statutory holiday pay entitlement
- Oversees the licensing of labour providers in high-risk sectors
- Enforces rules on illegal employment agency fees charged to workers
- Can inspect employer records and issue penalties for non-compliance
- Workers can report complaints — anonymously if preferred
Reports can be made online or by phone. You can report anonymously. This is a civil enforcement process — it does not trigger immigration enforcement.
gov.uk/pay-and-work-rights · Helpline: 0800 917 2368 (free)
How is the FWA different from ACAS?
- ACAS advises and mediates — it helps resolve disputes but cannot force employers to pay
- The Fair Work Agency is an enforcement body — it can investigate employers, issue fines, and compel payment of owed wages
- Both can be contacted without affecting your immigration status
- For individual disputes, ACAS is usually the first step. For systematic underpayment or illegal deductions, the FWA can be more effective
The National Referral Mechanism (NRM)
The NRM is the UK government's process for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. It is important to understand both what it offers and what it means for your visa — because it is not right for everyone.
Entering the NRM has real consequences for your visa and your right to work. It is not a simple "safe route" — it is a process designed for serious exploitation situations. Get specialist advice before deciding.
What the NRM does
- Identifies people who may be victims of modern slavery or human trafficking
- Gives a recovery period of at least 45 days during which you cannot be removed from the UK
- Provides access to support including safe accommodation, legal advice, and a small weekly financial allowance — note that this allowance is less than you would earn under your work contract
- During the NRM process, you lose your right to work — you cannot continue in your current employment while your case is being assessed
- A "Positive Conclusive Grounds" decision can give you 12 months Temporary Permission to Stay — but this is not a sponsored visa and does not automatically give you the right to work
Keeping your sponsored visa — alternatives to the NRM
If your priority is to keep your right to work and sponsored visa, the NRM may not be the right route. Consider these alternatives first:
- Switch sponsor — if you are being exploited, you can leave your employer and find a new licensed sponsor without entering the NRM (see the Switching Sponsors section).
- Report to the Fair Work Agency — you can report exploitation while keeping your visa. These are enforcement bodies, not immigration control.
- Raise a grievance or Employment Tribunal claim — you can take legal action against your employer while remaining on your sponsored visa.
- Get regulated immigration advice first: gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser
Important: Entering the NRM typically suspends your current visa and right to work while your case is assessed. This process can take many months.
You need immediate protection — your safety comes first
- Call 999 if you are in immediate danger.
- Contact Migrant Help: 0808 8010 503 (free, 24 hours) — they can refer you to the NRM and arrange immediate support.
- Contact the Salvation Army's Modern Slavery helpline: 0300 303 8151 (free, 24 hours).
- Contact the Fair Work Agency: 0345 161 6000.
- You can be referred to the NRM by police, social services, the Fair Work Agency, or approved charities — you do not have to self-refer.
What the NRM means in practice — an honest explanation
- Referral — you are referred by an authorised body (police, Fair Work Agency, certain charities). You cannot self-refer directly.
- Reasonable Grounds decision — within 5 days, a decision is made on whether there is reason to believe you are a victim. If yes, you enter the support system.
- Recovery period — at least 45 days of support including accommodation, legal advice, and a small weekly allowance. During this time you cannot be removed from the UK.
- Conclusive Grounds decision — a full assessment of whether you are a confirmed victim. This can take many months.
- If positive — you may be granted 12 months Temporary Permission to Stay. This does not automatically include the right to work — you must apply separately.
- Your current visa — once you enter the NRM, your sponsored visa is effectively suspended. Returning to sponsored employment during NRM assessment is complicated and requires specialist advice.
Get specialist advice before proceeding: gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser
Modern Slavery helpline (Salvation Army)
24-hour support, referral to NRM, safe accommodation.
0300 303 8151 (free, 24 hours)
Migrant Help
Free, confidential support for migrants in difficulty. Can refer to the NRM and provide legal advice.
0808 8010 503 (free, 24 hours)