Here at Borderless, our vision is clear: a world where borders are no longer barriers – anyone able to move anywhere, seamlessly and safely. That's why we've built our immigration technology platform to support organisations and individuals with everything from hiring to sponsorship to visa processing to compliance. We work diligently to provide solutions and guidance that ensure businesses can legally and ethically sponsor international talent.
Recently, we had the opportunity to take our commitment to ethical immigration a step further. Borderless was approached by the BBC, who requested permission to use our name to investigate fraud within the UK’s sponsorship system. This system has a dark side, where bad actors can exploit vulnerable migrants by charging them £15,000 - £20,000 for jobs which don't exist. The BBC ran an undercover operation to expose these illegal activities and we readily agreed to lend our name to this crucial investigation.
This documentary shines a light on the heart-breaking reality faced by many, particularly those from countries like Nigeria, where economic hardship and high unemployment drive people to seek better opportunities overseas, with the UK being a preferred destination.The programme reveals the sophisticated networks of scammers who prey on these hopes, falsely promising UK visas and jobs in exchange for exorbitant fees, often tens of thousands of pounds.
I strongly encourage everyone to watch the documentary. Understanding the realities of these scams is the first step towards preventing them and protecting vulnerable individuals.
We commend the BBC for their investigative work in bringing this important issue to public attention and hope that the documentary will raise awareness and contribute to stronger measures against these fraudulent activities.
As an individual, here's what you need to know to avoid falling victim to fraudulent practices:
Your employer CANNOT ask you to pay for:
- Sponsor Licence Costs: This includes the initial application fee for their sponsor licence and any costs associated with adding visa routes (like the Skilled Worker route) to their existing licence.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Costs: The fee for assigning your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is the sole responsibility of your employer.
- Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): A mandatory fee that UK employers must pay when sponsoring skilled workers from overseas under certain visa routes
In simple terms: if an employer asks you to pay for either of these, it's a red flag.
What your employer CAN legally ask you to cover or subsidize:
- Application fees for your dependents (if applicable).
- Relocation costs.
- Visa application fee
How to Protect Yourself:
- Be wary of employers demanding upfront payments: Legitimate sponsors will not ask you to pay for the Sponsor Licence or CoS.
- Verify information: Cross-reference any cost-related information with official Home Office guidelines. Use our visa fees calculator to understand the costs.
- Document everything: Keep records of all communication and payment requests.
- Seek advice: If you're unsure about any aspect of the process, contact Borderless or a qualified immigration advisor.
- Report non-compliant employers to the Home Office
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