Dozens of TfL employees risk losing their jobs and immigration status due to recent UK visa policy changes, prompting urgent calls for protections from London officials and unions amid fears of transport disruption.
Transport for London (TfL) workers are facing a crisis after recent changes to the UK government’s Skilled Worker visa rules threatened their right to remain in the country and keep their jobs. Dozens of TfL employees, many of whom have held permanent contracts and served Londoners throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, risk losing both their livelihoods and immigration status due to increased skill thresholds, the removal of certain transport roles from the skilled worker list, and higher salary requirements for visa sponsorship.
The controversy came to a head when TfL staff delivered a letter to Downing Street following the government’s refusal to engage in discussions with City Hall about the visa rule changes. These alterations include raising the salary threshold for sponsorship to £41,700 and excluding key transport roles such as station assistants from eligibility. The changes have placed 63 TfL workers, and as many as 200 according to some reports, in jeopardy, provoking urgent calls from unions and politicians for protective measures.
The RMT union, representing the affected employees, described these workers as a “special category” who have been deeply embedded in London’s transport network. Eddie Dempsey, RMT General Secretary, emphasised that many of these staff members had every reasonable expectation to remain in the UK, having secured permanent contracts and built lives and families here. He urged the government to pause and reconsider the policy to provide an exemption for these frontline workers, highlighting the injustice of telling dedicated public servants to leave the country despite their long-term contributions.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has expressed profound disappointment at the government’s stance and has called for urgent transitional protections for the impacted workers. During a recent Mayor’s Question Time, he underscored the necessity of protections for employees already in post before the visa reforms were announced, further urging Ministers to delay implementation until the Migration Advisory Committee completes its review of shortage occupations. The Mayor’s intervention aligns with the RMT’s calls for a pause to avoid disrupting vital transport services and the lives of committed workers.
Adding to the calls for action, Caroline Russell, Green Party London Assembly Member, has pressured the Mayor to publicly acknowledge the devastating impact of the visa changes and to deepen TfL’s engagement with affected staff. She criticised TfL’s approach of directing workers to websites for information, arguing that more personal support is needed to help employees navigate their precarious situations. She has also urged the government to delay the reforms until the ongoing Migration Advisory Committee review concludes, to avert immediate job losses and deportations.
The Home Office has been approached for comment but has yet to provide a public response. Meanwhile, the RMT has taken its campaign directly to the Prime Minister, supported by MPs backing the cause, emphasizing the need for fair treatment of these workers who have played key frontline roles during a challenging period for London’s transportation network.
The situation highlights broader issues with the UK Government’s immigration policy changes, which have raised salary thresholds broadly and removed various roles from the skilled worker visa list, impacting vulnerable but essential workers disproportionately. Transport sector roles, considered critical during the pandemic, are now caught in an unexpected and severe immigration policy tightening, drawing criticism from unions, city leaders, and political representatives for its potential to undermine London’s transport system and community stability.
As it stands, the workforce faces looming uncertainties, with urgent calls for transitional measures to protect those who have long contributed to keeping London moving. The campaign continues, seeking a resolution that balances the government’s immigration objectives with the practical realities and humane considerations of workers’ lives in the capital.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1] (Evening Standard) – Paragraph 1, Paragraph 3, Paragraph 5, Paragraph 8
- [2] (Evening Standard) – Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 4, Paragraph 6
- [3] (London.gov.uk) – Paragraph 7
- [4] (RMT) – Paragraph 3, Paragraph 5
- [5] (Evening Standard) – Paragraph 2
- [6] (RMT) – Paragraph 4
- [7] (Evening Standard) – Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, with the article published on 8 November 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 6 November 2025, when the RMT union announced plans to take their campaign to Downing Street. ([rmt.org.uk](https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-takes-visa-fight-to-downing-street-as-rail-workers-face/?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data on the number of affected TfL workers, ranging from 63 to 300, reflecting the evolving nature of the situation. The presence of a press release from the RMT union indicates that the narrative is based on official statements, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the presence of similar content across multiple outlets suggests that the narrative has been widely disseminated. The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey and an affected worker, Avi Kherg. The earliest known usage of these quotes is in the RMT’s press release dated 6 November 2025. ([rmt.org.uk](https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-takes-visa-fight-to-downing-street-as-rail-workers-face/?utm_source=openai)) The wording of the quotes matches the press release, indicating potential reuse of content. No online matches were found for the quotes from Avi Kherg, suggesting they may be original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Evening Standard, a reputable UK news outlet. The RMT union, a well-established trade union, is also a credible source. The presence of direct quotes from union representatives and affected workers adds to the reliability of the information.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about changes to the Skilled Worker visa rules, including increased salary thresholds and the removal of certain transport roles from the skilled worker list, are consistent with previous reports. ([footanstey.com](https://www.footanstey.com/our-insights/articles-news/an-update-for-employers-home-office-confirms-major-skilled-worker-visa-reforms-from-22-july-2025/?utm_source=openai)) The involvement of union leaders and political figures, such as Mayor Sadiq Khan, adds credibility to the narrative. The tone and language used are consistent with typical reporting on labour disputes and immigration policy changes.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent and based on credible sources, including direct quotes from union representatives and affected workers. While some content may have been recycled from previous reports, the inclusion of updated data and original quotes supports the overall credibility of the report.
