Government announces special UK visa for foreign health and care workers

The government has unveiled plans to create a new fast-track visa route for eligible health and care professionals from around the globe when freedom of movement with the EU ends in January.

The new Health and Care Visa scheduled to be launched this summer is designed to make it easier and quicker for the best global health professionals to work in the NHS, for NHS-commissioned service providers, and in eligible occupations in the social care sector.

The legislation needed to open this new route will be laid in parliament and health professionals will be able to apply from August onwards.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said on Tuesday (July 14): “Our health and care system has always had a proud tradition of welcoming overseas staff to work, train and live in the UK, and I’m proud that the NHS is a destination of choice for talented people from around the world.

“The unwavering commitment, skill and compassion staff have shown during the fight against this deadly virus is nothing short of phenomenal, and the reimbursement of the immigration health surcharge recognises the enormous contribution of those who have come to the UK to work in health and social care.”

The new Visa will come with a reduced visa application fee compared to that paid by other skilled workers including exemption from the immigration health surcharge.

RPS urges to fix refunds on immigration health surcharge

Responding to the latest announcement which confirms that health and care workers will not have to pay the immigration health surcharge, Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) president Sandra Gidley said: “Pharmacists and their teams have played a crucial role supporting the nation during the Covid-19 pandemic and it’s right that the Government recognises their enormous contribution.

“Whilst it’s welcome news that overseas pharmacists will be eligible for a fast-track Health and Care Visa, we are still waiting for details of how refunds will be issued for pharmacists who have already paid the Immigration Health Surcharge.

“Nearly two months after we were told health and care workers would be exempt, overseas pharmacists are still being asked to pay when they apply for a visa and it’s no clearer how they can ask for a refund. The Government needs to fix this now.”