UK ban on foreign care workers bringing family starts this week
The UK government has imposed strict visa rules that bar foreign care workers, including from India. Bringing your dependent family members to the UK,
The move follows concerns raised by the UK Home Office over the disproportionate proportion of dependents accompanying care workers using the visa route. According to the UK government, the number of dependents has increased by 120,000 with 100,000 workers in the care sector in the last year alone.
The changes will come into force when the government is set to table the rules in Parliament later this week (14 March).
UK Home Secretary James Cleverley underlined the need to address abuse and manipulation within the immigration system, citing volatile migration figures as the motivation behind the new rules.
“Care workers make an incredible contribution to our society by caring for our loved ones in their time of need. But we cannot justify inaction in the face of clear abuses, manipulation of our immigration system and unsustainable migration numbers,” said UK Home Secretary James Cleverley.
“It is neither right nor fair to allow this unacceptable situation to continue. We promised the British people action, and we will not rest until we have delivered on our commitment to significantly reduce numbers. “Our plan is strong but fair – protecting British workers while ensuring the best international talent can work and study here to add value to our society and grow the economy,” he said.
Registration Mandate for Care Providers
Care providers sponsoring migrants in England are now required to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which regulates health and social care. According to the government, the measure aims to prevent exploitation and abuse of workers in these sectors.
Social Care Minister Helen Whately stressed the importance of adopting a sustainable approach to the social care sector, emphasizing ongoing reforms to strengthen the domestic workforce and provide structured career paths and qualifications for care workers.
The Home Office pointed to examples of visa abuse, where care workers were lured with non-existent job offers or offered wages below the mandatory minimum wage, resulting in cuts to British workers.
To address these concerns, the UK government will halt ongoing cuts to British workers.
This includes raising the salary threshold required for skilled worker visas and eliminating the 20% “going-rate” rebate for migrant workers in shortage occupations.
These regulatory changes are part of a broader strategy to reduce immigration, with approximately 300,000 fewer individuals deemed eligible to enter the UK than last year.
Additionally, the UK Home Secretary on Monday announced the launch of a review of graduate routes for international students. The aim of this review is to prevent abuse, protect the integrity and quality of UK higher education and give priority to the interests of the UK.
Under plans announced last year, James Cleverly will formally appoint a Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to ensure that demand for the graduate route, through which a total of 175,872 visas have been granted since its inception, is met “aim is suitable for and is focused on.” Attracting the best and brightest to the UK”.
Last year, the largest share of students receiving this visa were Indian citizens, accounting for 43% of the grants. They use this visa to stay in the UK and gain work experience for at least two years after completion of their degree.
However, Applications from Indian students for courses in UK universities have declined by 4% this year, UCAS data shows. The reduction comes amid changes to the rules allowing overseas students to bring family members to the UK.
The review of post-study pathways is in line with recent adjustments to student visas, which began in January, banning most postgraduate students from bringing dependents to the UK.
Additionally, from April 4, the minimum wage for skilled worker visas will increase from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700, an increase of 48%. Family visa income requirements will also increase, starting at GBP 29,000 from April 11 and reaching GBP 38,700 by early 2025.