Senior Care Workers from aboard have been added to the Shortage Occupation List

Friday, March 12, 2021

In an immigration U-turn, Senior Care Workers have now been added to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), which gives them an advantage of obtaining a skilled work visa. Residential, day and domiciliary care managers have also been added to the list. The change to the SOL has come about after pressure several sources, including from The Cavendish Collection and the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).

Minister for Future Borders and Immigration Kevin Foster said:

“Every year we welcome healthcare workers from across the world to our United Kingdom, with many having played a key role on the frontline of the NHS during the recent pandemic. This latest set of changes, combined with our Health and Care Visa, will ensure they can easily get the immigration status they deserve.”

The changes build on the government’s delivery of the new points-based immigration system, which works for the whole of the UK. As part of the points-based immigration system, people applying to come to the UK through the skilled worker route must reach 70 ‘points’ to be eligible for a work visa. Having a job on the Shortage Occupation List is worth 20 points so once combines with the mandatory criteria of having an acceptable standard of English, an offer from a licensed sponsor and the required skill level, which are worth 50 points ensures people in these roles reach the 70 points necessary to obtain a skilled work visa.

The government has also announced that the salary threshold for senior care workers jobs will be reduced from £25,600 to £20,480