The UK government has announced new visa rules that will impact foreign workers and students. Starting on April 9, employers who wish to hire foreign care workers must first attempt to find candidates already living in England before recruiting from abroad.
They will need to demonstrate that they have made this effort. The government aims to reduce the UK’s reliance on foreign workers and lower immigration numbers. Beginning in April, the minimum salary for Skilled Worker visas will also increase from £23,200 to £25,000 per year (or £12.82 per hour), reflecting the rise in the minimum wage. Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care, stated: “International care workers play a vital role in our social care workforce.
We value their contributions and the support they provide to vulnerable individuals across the country every day. “As we take action against unscrupulous operators who exploit overseas workers in the UK, we must do everything we can to help victims transition back into fulfilling careers in adult social care. Prioritizing care workers who are already in the UK will help reduce our dependence on international recruitment and ensure that our social care sector has the professionals it needs.”
The government is also intensifying its efforts to prevent the misuse of student visas. Officials will have greater authority to reject applications they believe are not genuine, particularly for short-term English language courses.
Companies that repeatedly violate immigration laws may be banned from hiring foreign workers. Over the past year and a half, the government has already revoked more than 470 licenses in the care sector. Seema Malhotra, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, explained that these changes are designed to protect international workers from exploitation while prioritizing those who are already in the UK. These new rules are already having an impact.
Applications for UK work or study visas have dropped by 42% following the introduction of strict immigration regulations, while applications for health and care worker visas have decreased even more dramatically, by 79%.
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