World Immigration News

Home Office announces new immigration policy changes

Release Date: 2025-03-13
Media: NHS Employers
Summary: New immigration rules announced in the UK Parliament on March 12, 2025, will affect the recruitment of overseas health and care staff, including entry-level Band 3 positions.

Key changes, effective from April 9, 2025, include:

Care providers in England must first prove they attempted to recruit a local worker before sponsoring a worker from overseas or switching visa routes.
The minimum salary threshold for skilled workers will increase to £12.82 per hour or £25,000 per year, up from £23,200.
Minimum salary rates for health and education professionals, including doctors, nurses, and teachers, will be raised to reflect national pay scales, meaning entry-level Band 3 roles will no longer meet the threshold.
Caseworkers will have increased powers to refuse short-term Student Visa applications if they suspect the applicant is not genuine.
For NHS trusts, this means Band 3 roles will no longer be eligible for international sponsorship unless the salary exceeds the £25,000 threshold after the Agenda for Change 25/26 pay award. Current Band 3 roles at the top pay point of £25,674 can continue to be sponsored.

The new rules also require care providers to work with local regional partnerships to attempt to recruit from the local workforce before recruiting from overseas. The rules do not apply to international workers already sponsored as care workers or senior care workers or those switching from another visa route after working for at least three months.

For more details, visit GOV.UK or contact NHS Employers.
Tags: UK

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