A Nigerian family in the UK has spoken out about their harrowing ordeal after falling victim to a fraudulent #carevisa scheme, a growing trend affecting migrant families seeking a better life abroad.

The concerned individual, referred to as Favour (to protect his identity) in this case. The story was shared by Jannies on Nigerians in the Diaspora platform about this family’s heartbreaking experience, with the hopes of finding legal guidance and public awareness.

Favour, his wife, and three children arrived in the UK in October 2023 under a Health and Care Worker visa. But the promise of a new life quickly unraveled. The company listed as their sponsor turned out to be a sham—no office, no job, no trace. The Nigerian agents who arranged their migration vanished soon after.

By February 2024, the UK Home Office had cancelled the sponsor’s licence, triggering a 60-day countdown for Favour’s family to regularise their immigration status—an impossible task without employment or legal assistance.

A day before the deadline, Favour’s lawyer filed a fee waiver application on their behalf. While this granted a temporary pause, it became the start of deeper problems.

The lawyer, using his own email for official correspondence, failed to share critical updates with the family. When the #HomeOffice rejected their application in August 2024, Favour was never notified. The rejection letter had granted a 10-day window to reapply—key to retaining their lawful stay under the 3C Leave provision. That opportunity was lost.

Favour only discovered the fee waiver rejection after his daughter was arrested by immigration officers at her London workplace in September. She was later released after proving her right to work through an ECS check, but the family was placed on mandatory monthly reporting at the Home Office.

In November, Favour’s wife secured a new Certificate of Sponsorship through a genuine employer. Trusting the same lawyer—who belatedly confirmed the new #CoS was valid—they submitted fresh applications in January 2025 for Favour, his wife, and their eldest daughter. The younger children were left out due to financial constraints.

Unbeknownst to them, that application was refused on March 19, 2025. The reason: their earlier application had fallen outside the permitted window back in August. Again, the lawyer never informed them, only filing an administrative review at the last moment.

Now, even that review appears to have failed. Their daughter’s ECS check has returned a “Don’t employ” notice. Her employer is preparing to let her go. A similar outcome befell Favour’s wife, whose new job offer has also been withdrawn following the check.

The family remains in limbo. Favour says their lawyer refuses to share their file or update them. Other solicitors are unwilling to intervene without access to their case documents.

“At this point, we are hopeless,” Favour said in a message. “We don’t know what to do. We’re just surviving, not living.”

The case has once again exposed gaps in the UK’s Health and Care Worker visa system and the growing exploitation of vulnerable migrants. It also highlights how a lack of legal transparency can push families into undocumented status—despite following the right channels.

Immigration lawyers and advocates are calling for urgent reforms to prevent agents and rogue legal practitioners from capitalising on these situations.

Meanwhile, Favour and his family are appealing for help—from the community, immigration experts, and anyone who can advise on what legal options remain.

Adapted from via X (formerly Twitter) as written by @Ohijeme: https://x.com/ohijeme/status/1949120243248349457?s=46