Care staff join the shortage occupation list

Following an announcement in December 2021, care staff and home carers are amongst the new roles to have been added to the Shortage Occupation List.

This enables overseas individuals to apply for a visa to work in the UK in one of these roles, despite not meeting the strict full immigration rules. The change has come about to assist with the labour shortage in this sector, caused by the exit of the UK from the European Union’s single labour market, and the additional pressures on the system caused by the pandemic.

All roles in occupation code 6145 have been added to the Shortage Occupation List and will remain there for a minimum of 12 months. There is a minimum salary for staff to be paid of £20,480 (£10.10 per annum) and employers will need to hold a sponsor licence to recruit staff under the Health and Care Worker Visa scheme. Private individuals cannot hold sponsor licences, which could demonstrate a flaw in the scheme, but sole traders and other business types can if all eligibility requirements are met.

Contact our business immigration solicitors today

At Ashtons Legal we support businesses with acquiring sponsor licences and with employing non-UK nationals.

If you are interested in exploring your options further, please contact Jessica Piper, Robert Hickford or Claire Sleep through this website or by calling 0330 404 0768.