Relaxing Immigration Rules For Care Workers Raises doubts
The government’s recent announcement about relaxing immigration rules for care workers has left several questions unanswered.
The hope is that a 12 month visa will attract thousands of additional care workers into the UK from abroad, the government announced on 24 December.
The move comes after new figures from the Nuffield Trust showed that 40,000 care workers, home care workers and care assistants had left the sector in the past six months.
Care workers are now to be added to the Home Office’s shortage occupation list, following recommendations by the Migration Advisory Committee.
Care workers from abroad will have to apply for a 12-month health and care visa and have been offered a salary of at least £20,480 to qualify. They will be able to bring dependants, including a partner and children, with the measures expected to come into effect early next year.
The requirement for care staff to be vaccinated has added to the present situation.
However, there has been no indication as to whether or not the classification extends to those employed to care for clients who are living in their own homes.
There’s also a question over the length of time of the visa, with critics saying the visa should be three years as a 12 month visa will fail to attract careers from overseas.
The Graham agency, keeping you informed.