Official statistics released on 19 February show the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) backlog fell from 17,168 to 5,758 cases during 2025—an unprecedented 66 % reduction. The Home Office credits a surge in decision-maker recruitment and triage reforms that fast-track low-risk cases.
For global employers, the figures matter because overseas staff seconded to the UK can be referred to the NRM if exploitation is suspected, triggering duty-of-care and right-to-work complications. A faster system means earlier clarity on an individual’s status and fewer long-term suspensions from the workforce.
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VisaHQ can also help employers stay ahead of these changes. Through its UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/), the service guides HR teams and individual assignees through every step of visa or permit processing, offering document checks, status alerts, and expert support that dovetail neatly with post-NRM compliance requirements.
NGOs cautiously welcomed the progress but questioned decision quality, noting a 30 % rise in negative ‘conclusive-ground’ decisions. Legal charities will audit sample refusals for due-process errors. From a compliance lens, however, the shorter wait times reduce unpredictability in workforce planning and payroll tax residence rules.
The government insists it remains on track to eradicate the backlog entirely by December 2026. If achieved, the UK would again meet EU average processing times, an important benchmark for any future UK-EU mobility negotiations.
For global employers, the figures matter because overseas staff seconded to the UK can be referred to the NRM if exploitation is suspected, triggering duty-of-care and right-to-work complications. A faster system means earlier clarity on an individual’s status and fewer long-term suspensions from the workforce.
VisaHQ can also help employers stay ahead of these changes. Through its UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/), the service guides HR teams and individual assignees through every step of visa or permit processing, offering document checks, status alerts, and expert support that dovetail neatly with post-NRM compliance requirements.
NGOs cautiously welcomed the progress but questioned decision quality, noting a 30 % rise in negative ‘conclusive-ground’ decisions. Legal charities will audit sample refusals for due-process errors. From a compliance lens, however, the shorter wait times reduce unpredictability in workforce planning and payroll tax residence rules.
The government insists it remains on track to eradicate the backlog entirely by December 2026. If achieved, the UK would again meet EU average processing times, an important benchmark for any future UK-EU mobility negotiations.
