The United Kingdom has implemented a ban preventing healthcare workers from bringing dependants to the country, as announced by the Home Office in a statement issued on Monday.
This measure is part of a broader plan to reduce migration levels and address concerns about the abuse of the immigration system.
The Home Office emphasized that this revision aims to achieve the largest-ever reduction in the country’s net migration, with Interior Secretary James Cleverly stating that it could result in 300,000 fewer people coming to the UK in the coming years.
Under the new rules, workers seeking visas would need to earn at least £38,700, up from £26,200, and care workers would be prohibited from bringing dependants starting from next April.
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Cleverly highlighted that the abuse of the care visa system needed to be addressed, noting that many dependants accompanying care workers were not contributing to the economy.
Additionally, the immigration healthcare charge will increase by 66% to £1035 annually to help fund the country’s health services.
Furthermore, measures will be taken to prevent immigration from undercutting the salaries of British workers.
Skilled workers’ earning threshold will be increased to £38,000, with exemptions for healthcare workers.
The Home Office reiterated these changes on its verified social media handle, emphasizing the significance of this move in achieving the government’s migration reduction goals.
This announcement follows the UK’s policy banning Nigerian students and other overseas students from bringing dependants via the study visa route, as reported in January 2024.
It also aligns with the Federal Government’s directive, as communicated by Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, regarding health workers seeking opportunities abroad.
The directive mandates health workers to resign before leaving the country, reflecting efforts to combat the challenge of brain drain in Nigeria’s health sector.
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