UK bars foreign health workers from bringing dependants
The United Kingdom (UK) has started the implementation of the dependants’ ban on migrant caregivers and health workers.
In a post on its X handle yesterday, the UK Home Office said the move is part of plans to cut migration.
From today, care workers entering the UK on Health and Care Worker visas can no longer bring dependants
“From today, care workers entering the UK on Health and Care Worker visas can no longer bring dependants,” the post read. “This is part of our plan to deliver the biggest-ever cut in migration.
The measure was announced in December with Social Care Minister Helen Whately saying while she is “grateful” for the contribution of overseas care workers, she is also “clear that immigration is not the long-term answer to our social care needs”
With the UK government keen to crack down on net migration which has risen to record levels, restrictions have been introduced, including on family members accompanying foreign students for non-research postgraduate courses.
After a drop during the pandemic, net migration has been steadily on the rise and is reportedly expected to hit a record high this year. Official figures published in November 2022 estimated net migration to June 2022 at just over 500,000
