UK care visa catastrophe leaves migrants homeless

Zola moved from Zimbabwe to Britain, hoping for better work opportunities through the care sector visa program. The 45-year-old woman paid thousands of pounds for sponsorship and training but found herself homeless and deeply in debt. Care companies promised good jobs and housing, but delivered cramped conditions with bed bugs and no heating. She worked only a few shifts despite promises of steady employment at decent wages.

Britain launched the visa scheme during 2022 to attract overseas workers for struggling care homes and services. Approximately 150,000 people arrived from countries such as India, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe, seeking employment. Government officials have banned hundreds of companies from sponsoring migrants after reports of widespread exploitation emerged. These bans left many workers jobless and facing deportation threats.

Zola borrowed money to pay sponsorship fees that were later found to be illegal charges. Her company lost its license, leaving her searching for new sponsors among suspicious employers. She cannot return home because of massive debts owed to family and friends who helped fund her journey. The single mother of three children remains separated from her family and relies on food banks for survival.