The government has announced several changes to the UK’s immigration policy that will affect the health and care sector in England from next month.
From 9 April 2025:
- Care providers in England looking to recruit a new worker from overseas, or those switching from another visa route, will have to first prove that they have tried to recruit a worker resident in England.
- The minimum salary threshold for skilled workers will increase to £12.82 per hour or £25,000 per annum, from £23,200.
- Health and education occupations, including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and teachers, will also see their minimum rates increased to reflect the latest national pay scales. This means that entry level Band 3 roles will no longer meet the salary threshold.
- Caseworkers will have increased powers to refuse visa applications to the short-term Student Visa route where they are suspected of being non-genuine.
The new rules will not apply to international workers who are already being sponsored as a care worker or senior care worker. Providers seeking to sponsor someone switching from another immigration route who has already been working for them for at least three months are also exempt.
The changes were announced by the Home Office on 12 March 2025 in a Statement of Immigration Rules.
For more information about the rules click here.
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If you need legal advice about UK visas or need to talk about any other aspect of immigration law, call one of our experts today on 0330 175 5655, email us at info@bglaw.co.uk or fill in our contact form.
