Government’s migration visa crackdown blocks thousands of care workers

WorldHealth & Fitness
6 May 2025 • 4:44 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • A government crackdown on family visas for overseas care workers has led to a significant drop in applications, threatening the stability of care homes in the UK.
  • Applications for health and care worker visas plummeted from 129,000 to 26,000 after new rules prevented workers from bringing dependents.
  • This drop exacerbates existing staff shortages in care homes, with over 100,000 vacancies in England alone.
  • Age UK warns that care homes may be forced to close due to lack of staff, further burdening the NHS.
  • New rules requiring overseas care workers to earn over £25,000 annually will further restrict recruitment.

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