The United Kingdom has implemented significant changes in its immigration policies, particularly in relation to its care sector, in recent years. The ability of care workers to bring their families to join them will be impacted by new regulations.
This blog post discusses the most recent regulations that pertain to the dependents of Health and Care Workers, with a particular emphasis on the new dependent visa regulations in the United Kingdom for 2025.
Key Takeaways:
- Care workers and senior care workers are prohibited from bringing dependents to the United Kingdom.
- Sponsorship Eligibility: Health and Care Worker Visa applicants are eligible for sponsorship by organizations that are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England.
- Transitional Provisions: Care workers who obtained visas prior to the rule change are permitted to bring dependents; however, they must adhere to the new regulations regarding extensions or transfers.
- Alternatives for Family: The primary applicant may be joined by family members who seek for a Skilled Worker Visa or a Family Visa.
- Processing Time: Dependent visa applications are subject to delays due to high volume or additional document checks, with a typical processing time of 3-8 weeks.
Check Also: Legal Definition of Partner for UK Visa Purpose – Check Here
Overview:
By attracting experienced foreign nationals to its care sector, the Health and Care Worker Visa is a critical element of the United Kingdom’s strategy to enhance its healthcare services. This visa is designed to accommodate healthcare professionals, such as registered nurses, pharmacists, physicians, and adult social care workers.
To ensure that only qualified individuals are permitted to enter the health and social care sectors, the UK government establishes a series of specific criteria that must be satisfied in order to obtain a Health and Care Worker Visa. These consist of:
- Qualified professionals in disciplines such as medicine, nursing, or other health and social care roles are required to apply.
- In order to qualify for a visa, the applicant must obtain employment in the health or social care sector.
- The Home Office must authorize the employing organization.
- A valid verification of sponsorship from an employer is required for all applicants.
- The minimum salary that applicants must receive is contingent upon the specific position they are applying for within the healthcare sector.
This visa enables these professionals to work in the United Kingdom for a maximum of five years, with the potential to extend their stay on multiple occasions, provided that they continue to satisfy the eligibility criteria. Health and Care Worker Visa holders are eligible to petition for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years.
The acquisition of ILR status eliminates the constraints imposed by visa sponsorship. It enables visa holders to transition between employers or job positions without the necessity of obtaining additional visas, thereby ensuring that healthcare professionals and their families have a substantial degree of stability and flexibility.
Health and Care Worker Dependant Visa:
The Health and Care Worker Dependant Visa enables family members of individuals who hold a Health and Care Visa to accompany them in the United Kingdom. Dependents are typically defined as a spouse, partner, or offspring under the age of 18.
This visa allows families to remain together while the primary visa holder is employed in the health or social care sector, as it permits dependents to reside in the United Kingdom for the same duration as the primary sponsor.
Processing Times:
The processing time for dependent visa applications under the Health and Care Worker route typically ranges from three to eight weeks, depending on whether the standard or priority service is employed. Nevertheless, the implementation of recent regulatory modifications may result in heightened scrutiny, which could potentially result in extended wait times for specific applicants. Delays may also occur as a result of document verification, high application volumes, or requests for supplementary information.
For those switching to a different visa category to retain dependant rights, processing times vary based on case complexity and Home Office workload. Priority and super-priority services provide quicker decision-making, but they are accompanied by higher fees. Applicants should ensure that all necessary documents are in order and plan their submissions in advance to prevent disruptions.
New UK Dependant Visa Rules for Health and Care Workers:
Care workers and senior care workers are no longer permitted to transport dependents with them when they relocate to the United Kingdom for employment. This represents a significant change in the UK’s immigration policy, with the objective of regulating the number of dependents who are admitted to the country under this particular visa.
Furthermore, applicants for the Health and Care Visa will be sponsored exclusively by providers who are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England. This modification is intended to guarantee that health and care professionals are only permitted to enter the country by organizations that adhere to specific regulatory standards.
Individuals who were in this route prior to the rule change but have not yet brought dependents may continue to do so during their sponsorship. Nevertheless, after this date, individuals who transition from other visa types to the Health and Care Visa will be unable to bring or remain with dependants.
In the interim, applicants in other eligible health and social care professions may continue to sponsor dependents in accordance with the previous guidelines.
Transitional Provisions for Existing Visa Holders:
Care workers and senior care workers who obtained their visas prior, are permitted to transport their dependents to the United Kingdom, provided that they do so within the duration of their sponsorship. This implies that the new restrictions will not affect individuals who are already in the country or have unresolved applications prior to the rule change.
Nevertheless, they are required to adhere to the revised regulations if they apply for an extension or change visa categories after their currently valid visa expires.
The Skilled Worker Visa may be a viable option for individuals who wish to maintain dependant rights by transitioning to a different visa type, provided that they satisfy the salary and sponsorship eligibility requirements. Furthermore, individuals who initially arrived on the Health and Care Worker Visa but subsequently obtained Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) will be able to sponsor family members once again.
Are There Any Other Ways to Bring Dependents to UK?
Alternative pathways and visa categories may allow family members to accompany individuals who are arriving in the UK to work, despite the recent restrictions on dependents for care workers and senior care workers visas.
Applying for a Family Visa may be an option for individuals who do not meet the dependent requirements of the Health and Care Worker Visa. This visa permits spouses, partners, and children to join or remain with their family in the United Kingdom. In order to be eligible for this opportunity, the primary applicant must satisfy the prerequisites.
Another alternative is for the primary visa applicant to contemplate transitioning to the Skilled Worker Visa, which permits dependents to accompany the primary visa holder. It is important to mention that in order to qualify for this route, individuals must satisfy the following criteria: possessing an employment offer from a licensed employer and meeting the salary requirement.
It can be highly advantageous to consult with immigration experts or legal advisors in order to determine the most suitable method of bringing your dependent to the UK. They can assist you in selecting the most suitable visa options for your specific circumstances, which have a higher likelihood of approval.
Let Spouse Visa Lawyers Help:
At Spouse Visa Lawyers, we specialize in the application of family and dependent visas, offering personalized advice that is specifically designed to address your individual circumstances. Every step of the journey, our team is available to provide support, whether you are investigating alternative visa options or requiring assistance with an application.
Please reach out to us immediately to guarantee that your family’s relocation to the United Kingdom is both successful and seamless.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do health professionals outside care work face the same restriction?
No. Other roles under the Health and Care Worker visa (e.g., nurses, doctors, allied health professionals) can still bring dependants. The restriction applies only to care workers and senior care workers.
Can care workers bring dependants to the UK?
Most overseas care workers (SOC code 6145) and senior care workers (SOC code 6146) under the Health and Care Worker visa route cannot bring dependants (partners or children) to the UK.
What happens if a dependant was already in the UK?
Dependants who were granted visas may remain in the UK and can apply to extend or switch their visa alongside the main applicant.