The UK issued a lot more visas for foreign health and care workers last year, creating challenges for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of the upcoming election. Immigration is a top concern for voters, and despite trailing in polls, Sunak aims to reduce it. In 2023, the UK granted 337,240 work visas, up 26% from 2022, mainly in the care home sector. Visas for “Skilled Worker – Health and Care” almost doubled, reaching 146,477, and 73% of family member visas were linked to health and care workers.
Stricter rules, including higher salaries and limits on family members, were introduced in late 2023. Starting March 11, care workers can’t bring dependents, drawing criticism for impacting a sector already facing labor shortages. The UK initially opened visas for international care workers in February 2022 to fill workforce gaps. Sunak is also focusing on reducing illegal migration, with a 33% decrease in irregular arrivals (primarily small boats from France) to 36,704 in 2023. (Reporting by Sarah Young and Sachin Ravikumar)
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