Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to make it easier to employ personal carers from abroad.

In February 2022, the Government amended immigration rules which allows domiciliary and care home workers to be recruited from overseas. Under current visa rules, overseas recruits are required to work for a registered sponsor. The sponsorship system ensures employers fulfil specific duties to confirm those who apply for permission to enter or stay in the United Kingdom to work are eligible and will comply with the conditions of their visa. Businesses are able to comply with these duties and demonstrate a verifiable track record of operating lawfully in the UK in a way private individuals and households cannot, both within the immigration system and the employer regulatory regime.

This ensures the integrity of the immigration system and provides important welfare safeguards for workers who migrate to the UK and individuals requiring care. There are no current plans to change this approach.