UK bans foreign care workers from bringing dependents to tackle migration

The new rule by the British government which outlaws healthcare professionals from entering the UK with dependents aims to “radically cut net migration and tackle visa abuse,” the UK Home Office said in a statement released on March 11.

“Care workers make an incredible contribution to our society, taking care of our loved ones in times of need. But we cannot justify inaction in the face of clear abuse, manipulation of our immigration system, and unsustainable migration numbers,” said British Home Secretary James Cleverly

“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 bring numbers down substantially. Our plan is robust but fair – protecting British workers while ensuring the very best international talent can work and study here, to add value to our society and grow the economy,” he adds.

A disproportionate 120,000 dependents travelled with 100,000 care workers to the UK in 2023, according to the UK Home Office.

To prevent public services and companies from hiring cheap labour from overseas to undercut British workers, the UK Home Office also announced the abolishment of the Shortage Occupation List and a 48% increase in the minimum salary for Skilled Workers visa holders from £26,200 to £38,700 effective April 4.

In January 2024, the British government also announced restrictions to its student visa routes that meant most international students could no longer bring family members to the UK.

According to estimates from the British Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were 672,000 net migrants between June 2022 and June 2023. Dependents of students received 152,980 visas in September 2023, a more than 930% increase from 14,839 in the same month the previous year.