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More than 60 London Underground workers, many of whom have built their lives and careers in the UK, are at risk of losing their jobs and facing deportation due to recent, stricter changes to the government's immigration rules. The affected staff, primarily working as station assistants, came to the UK on skilled worker visas, with many having served on the Underground for years.
The crisis stems from a Home Office policy change that significantly increased the salary threshold for skilled worker visa sponsorship to £41,700 annually and removed key transport roles, including that of a station assistant, from the list of eligible occupations. This move, part of a wider government initiative to control immigration, has created an untenable situation for these employees.
According to the RMT union, many of the workers took their jobs on two-year graduate visa schemes with the understanding that they could transition into skilled worker positions. This career path has now been abruptly cut off. The union highlighted a particularly poignant case of a worker facing deportation who had been officially commended for preventing passenger suicides, underscoring the vital contributions these individuals make to London's transport network.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey condemned the new rules, calling them "arbitrary" and "completely wrong." "It’s 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," Dempsey stated. He added that the policy risks shattering workers' lives and creating employment gaps within London Underground services. The RMT has vowed to support its members and fight for a "just outcome."
Transport for London (TfL) has acknowledged the problem, stating it is legally bound to comply with the new government regulations. A TfL spokesperson confirmed that some staff may no longer be eligible for visa sponsorship upon expiry of their current visas. The organization is working with affected employees to explore any other available routes to remain in the UK and continue their employment. However, failure to comply with the new rules could lead to criminal prosecution for TfL and the loss of its sponsor license.
The government's new immigration policy, outlined in the 'Restoring control over the immigration system' white paper on May 12, took effect on July 22. These rules, which are set to remain in place until at least the end of 2026, aim to reduce immigration by shortening the list of jobs eligible for skilled worker visas.
The latest available salary information from TfL indicates that trainee station staff earn between £35,300 and £41,800, with qualified customer service assistants earning from £44,140 to £55,323. These figures highlight the precarious position of those employees whose salaries fall below the new £41,700 threshold. The Standard has reached out to the Home Office for an official comment on the matter.
