The United Kingdom (UK) has begun implementing the dependants’ prohibition for migrant caregivers.
In a post on its X account on Monday, the UK Home Office stated that the move is part of measures to reduce migration.
From today, care workers entering the UK on Health and Care Worker visas can no longer bring dependants.
This is part of our plan to deliver the biggest ever cut in migration. pic.twitter.com/lrP9Xp8NUa
— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) March 11, 2024
“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.”
“Care workers make an incredible contribution to our society, taking care of our loved ones in times of need,” Home Secretary James Cleverly said.
“But we cannot justify inaction in the face of clear abuse, manipulation of our immigration system and unsustainable migration numbers.”
The move was announced in December, with Social Care Minister Helen Whately stating that while she is “grateful” for the contributions 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 trying to reduce net migration, which has reached record levels, limitations have been imposed, including on family members accompanying foreign students to non-research postgraduate degrees.
Following a dip during the epidemic, net migration has been slowly increasing and is predicted to reach a record level this year. Official estimates published in November 2022 estimated net migration to June 2022 at somewhat more than 500,000.
According to the revised recommendations, only students enrolled in postgraduate research degrees will be eligible to bring dependents to the UK while studying. Overseas students will be barred from transitioning “out of the student route into work routes” until their studies are complete.
According to a government statement, there will also be “improved and more enforcement activity” and a crackdown on “unscrupulous agents” who use education as a cover for immigration.
Last year, 136,000 visas were awarded to the dependents of international students, jumping eightfold from 16,000 in 2019, according to Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s written statement to parliament.
