2. Getting here: visas and the sponsorship system
• Biometric appointment: Attend an approved visa centre to submit fingerprints and photos.
• Travel to the UK: After visa approval, employers often assist with flights, temporary accommodation, and airport pickup.
• Once in the UK: Complete OSCE and finalise registration.
Care workers( route no longer open to new applicants)
• Job search: Usually via agencies or licensed care providers.
• Meet requirements: Basic experience or training and proof of English language skills.
• Sponsorship and visa: Same process as for nurses, including biometrics and visa application.
• Arrival and work: Many are housed in employer-provided accommodation, often with limited support, creating vulnerability.
Unscrupulous agencies and fees
Not all agencies helping international workers relocate to the UK are ethical. While some are listed on the NHS Ethical Recruiters List( e. g. NHS Professionals International), others charge excessive or illegal fees for job placements, training, or travel with some workers facing salary deductions that leave them earning below the minimum wage.
Employers are officially prohibited from passing on visa sponsorship costs to workers, but enforcement is weak. Union reps should encourage migrant members to seek advice before signing contracts and report any concerns. Further resources on this issue are available from organisations like NHS Employers and the Labour Exploitation Advisory Group.
Resources
• Work Rights Centre The forgotten third report 2024
• Right to Remain visa toolkit
• UK Government website
• Immigration and work visa information
• Code of Practice for International Recruitment
• Register of licensed sponsors
• Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration report 2024 report
• New list of eligible occupations for the Skilled Worker Visa:
• NHS: ethical recruiters list
• Labour Exploitation Advisory Group( LEAG)
• BBC Panorama: Care Workers Under Pressure
LRD • Supporting migrant workers 15