The United Kingdom (UK) government has introduced a ban preventing international health and care workers from bringing their dependants into the country on work visas. This stringent measure, effective immediately, is part of the UK’s broader strategy to achieve a substantial reduction in migration.
The UK Home Office made this pivotal announcement via its official communication channel, X account, on Monday. The directive specifically targets care workers entering the UK on Health and Care Worker visas, restricting them from bringing dependants. A bold graphic banner accompanying the post emphatically declares, “Banned: Overseas care workers from bringing dependants.”
Moreover, the statement revealed that around 120,000 individuals who arrived last year would no longer meet eligibility criteria under the new regulations. This move aligns with the UK Home Office’s previous commitment to address what it deemed “unprecedented” and “unsustainable” levels of legal migration.
In December, the UK Home Office outlined its plans to tighten immigration controls further. James Cleverly, the home secretary, detailed additional measures, highlighting that workers would now need to earn a minimum of £38,700 to obtain a visa, a significant increase from the previous threshold of £26,200.
Cleverly explained, “We will stop overseas care workers from bringing family, dependants, and we will require firms in England to be regulated by the Health Care Quality Commission in order for them to sponsor visas.”
Approximately 120,000 dependants accompanied 100,000 care workers in the year ending September 2023, with only 25% estimated to be employed. This raised concerns about their impact on public services rather than contributing to economic growth.
Acknowledging the indispensable role of healthcare workers, especially in the National Health Service (NHIS) and the health sector, Cleverly stressed the need for immigrants to make a substantial financial contribution.
In response to this shift, the annual immigration healthcare charge will surge by 66%, escalating from £624 to £1035. This substantial increase aims to generate an average of £1.3 billion annually to support the country’s health services.
This move follows the recent restriction imposed on foreign students, preventing them from bringing family members. The UK Home Office justified this decision by asserting its necessity to prevent individuals from utilizing the student visa as a covert means to secure employment in the UK.
As the UK reshapes its immigration policies, the latest ban on dependants for health and care workers reflects a broader strategy aiming to strike a balance between economic considerations and the nation’s healthcare needs.
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