‘Glimmer of hope for New Year’ as foreign care workers become eligible for fast-track UK visas
The government has expanded the Health and Care Visa scheme in a bid to stem the care sector recruitment crisis, making foreign care workers eligible for fast-track UK visas.
The change means foreign care home and home care workers will be eligible for the Health and Care Visa for a 12 month period.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommended that care workers be added to the Shortage Occupation List before Christmas saying it was due to the ‘severe and increasing difficulties faced by the care sector’.
The recommendation has now been accepted by ministers, with Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid, saying: “It is vital we continue to do all we can to protect the social care sector during the pandemic and beyond.