Visa boost for social care and extension of seasonal worker visa route
On 24 December 2021, the government made two announcements with respect to visas for care staff within the social care sector, as well as seasonal workers within the horticulture sector.
1. Care staff
In response to pandemic pressures, care staff are to be added to the Shortage Occupation List. It has been reported that more than 40,000 social care staff have left the sector in the past six months. It is thought this is due to the ongoing pandemic as well as predicted worsening staff shortages with a requirement for all frontline healthcare workers to be fully vaccinated against Covid, including care workers.
Immigration rules will be relaxed for care workers, care assistant and home care workers to apply for a visa. By adding these workers to the Shortage Occupation, they will require an annual minimum salary of £20,480 for carers to qualify for the Health and Care visa.
Next steps for care providers
According to the government press release, care providers who do not already hold a sponsor licence in the Skilled Worker route can prepare to take advantage of the offer by registering for a sponsorship licence. It is expected further details will be released early 2022 on next steps for this.
2. Seasonal workers for edible horticulture sector
The government has also announced the seasonal worker visa route has been extended until end of 2024 to allow foreign workers to come to the UK for up to six months to pick both edible and ornamental crops. They have announced there will be 30,000 visa available next year with the potential to increase by 10,000.
Next steps for recruitment agencies
To sponsor a worker on this scheme, you must be an approved scheme operator which administers the scheme and acts as a licenced sponsor for workers on the scheme.
3. What is a UK visa sponsorship licence?
A Sponsorship Licence is an essential requirement for employers who are intending to sponsor a foreign skilled worker, student, or temporary worker in the UK.
Who needs a UK visa sponsorship licence?
You will require a sponsor licence to employ someone to work for you from outside the UK. This also includes EU nationals who arrived in the UK after the 31 December 2020.
Who is eligible to apply for a licence?
In order to be eligible for a sponsor licence, the employer cannot have the following:
· unspent criminal convictions for immigration offences or certain other crimes, such as fraud or money laundering
· had a sponsor licence revoked in the last 12 months
You must meet other eligibility requirements specifically for the type of visa you require to sponsor migrant workers.
4. What can you do next?
If you would like to speak to an immigration lawyer to advise you on the process for a sponsorship licence, you can book an appointment using the link below.
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The above information is correct as of 24 December 2021 and may be subject to change. You should continue to check developments at gov.uk for further details. The above does not constitute legal advice as there are several eligibility requirements required to be met to apply for a sponsorship licence.