The UK government has introduced new immigration rules banning migrant care workers from bringing their children and partners with them when they come to work in the country. The changes, announced by Home Secretary James Cleverly on February 19th, are part of the government’s plan to “deliver the biggest-ever cut in migration.”
The new rules, taking effect on March 11th, will prevent visa sponsors in the adult social care sector (SOC occupation codes 6145 and 6146) from being able to bring dependents to the UK. The ban applies to new migrants coming to fill care worker and senior care worker roles covered under the Health and Care Visa route.
The move comes amid ongoing staffing shortages in the care sector, which migrant rights groups argue relies heavily on foreign labor. Care providers say the inability for workers to have families with them will deter recruitment. The changes have faced opposition from union leaders and some government ministers concerned about the economic impacts.
However, the Home Office believes high numbers of dependents accompanying care workers are disproportionately driving up immigration levels they wish to reduce. Figures show over 120,000 partners and children arrived alongside 100,000 migrant care workers in the year to September 2023.
While some migration experts expect minimal long-term staffing impacts as workers still arrive without families, charities have raised concerns over migrants becoming isolated and exploited. Groups also critique the rules as “dehumanizing” policies that will lead to broken families.
After 5 years in the UK, workers could apply to bring families once qualifying for settlement. But the Home Office hopes the interim ban will help meet Conservative government promises to significantly limit immigration rates.