A Nigerian family’s migration journey to the UK has turned into a nightmare after they were scammed through a fraudulent Health and Care Worker visa arrangement. Their experience, shared anonymously under the name Favour, is emblematic of a growing crisis facing vulnerable migrants misled by rogue agents and negligent legal advisers.

The family of five arrived in the UK in October 2023 with dreams of building a better life. But upon arrival, they discovered that the supposed care company listed as their sponsor didn’t exist—no office, no job, no contact. The Nigerian agents who facilitated the move disappeared, leaving the family stranded.

In February 2024, the UK Home Office revoked the sponsor’s licence. This action triggered a 60-day countdown for the family to secure new sponsorship or face possible removal. Their lawyer filed a fee waiver application just before the deadline, but the family was never kept informed of the process. When the Home Office rejected the waiver in August 2024—granting only 10 days to respond—the lawyer failed to notify them. That missed window led to the automatic loss of their lawful stay.

The family only found out about the rejection after their daughter was arrested by immigration officers at her job in September. Although she was released after proving her right to work, the family was placed under routine immigration reporting.

In November 2024, hope returned when Favour’s wife secured a new job and Certificate of Sponsorship. The family trusted the same lawyer again and submitted new applications in January 2025—excluding their two youngest children due to financial limits. However, these applications were refused in March 2025 because the previous application was deemed invalid due to timing. Once again, they weren’t informed of the decision until much later, by which point the lawyer had filed a last-minute administrative review that now appears to have failed.

Now, their daughter has lost her right to work, her ECS check returning a “Don’t employ” notice. Her mother’s new job offer has also been rescinded. Despite their attempts to regularise their stay through legal means, the family is now in limbo—technically undocumented and unable to progress without legal access to their case file, which their current solicitor refuses to release. New lawyers are unwilling to take on the case without it.

Their story underscores serious flaws in the UK’s care visa system—from weak oversight of sponsor companies to unregulated recruitment practices and negligent legal representation. It’s a painful reminder that even those who follow the correct immigration path can fall victim to systemic gaps, with devastating consequences.

The family is now appealing for help from legal professionals and advocates who can help them regain their footing and explore what immigration options may still exist. Their message is clear: they are surviving, not living—and time is running out.

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