Recruiting Social Care Workers from Overseas

In August 2020, the health care worker visa was initiated as part of the UK’s new immigration system under the skilled worker route. The health care worker visa allows medical professionals overseas to stay and work with the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care.

Eligible employers looking to hire overseas care workers must have a valid sponsor licence from the Home Office.

The sponsor licence allows an organisation to sponsor and employ skilled overseas workers for its business. Note that sponsorship licence is limited to organisations and is not granted to private individuals. The Home Office deemed it necessary to issue a sponsor licence to prevent illegal recruitment and abuse of the Uk’s immigration rules.

Health and Care visa applicants can benefit from the fast-tracked entry scheme to the UK, reduced visa fees, and the Immigration Health Surcharge exemption. However, they may still need to meet the following requirements to qualify for the health and care visa:

• Valid Certificate of Sponsorship
  Under SOC Code 6145, the employer hires the applicant with the intent to employ them as care providers in residential and daycare establishments. The care workers may also work in the homes of employers. Overseas workers applying under the SOC Code 6145 will need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by an employer authorised to sponsor applicants for the eligible job.

• Minimum Salary Threshold of £20,480 Per year
  Typically, the minimum salary requirement under the Skilled Worker Visa route is £25,600 per year. However, the minimum salary requirement is £20,480 per year for skilled worker visa applicants who benefit from tradeable points, such as the job offer under the shortage occupation list.

• Applicant Must Meet the Maintenance Requirement
  Health and care visa applicants must meet the maintenance required to work in the UK and show proof of funds of at least £1,270 in their bank account for at least 28 days. As an alternative, the employer may confirm willingness to cover the applicant’s cost of the stay for the first month. The idea is to let the care worker visa applicants show that they are financially capable of supporting themselves while working as a health and social care workers in the UK.

• English Language Requirement
  Under the immigration rules, worker visa applicants to the UK must be able to speak, understand, read and write English. They must achieve at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ( CEFR ) scale. The ability to communicate in English is important for communication purposes and to provide quality care to those who need it. Organisations can create a positive and supportive work environment conducive to providing quality care by ensuring that all care team members can effectively communicate. Visa knowledge of English by passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider.

• Background Checks and Health Care Screening
  Organisations looking to hire care providers overseas must conduct criminal record checks and tuberculosis tests on all potential employees to ensure the safety of those in their care. Background checks and health screenings are likely required for care staff roles, so it’s important to ensure your prospective recruit has the necessary documentation.

By requiring these checks, organisations can feel confident that they are hiring staff who are fit and able to do the job safely.
Moreover, while applicants may not need to worry about academic entry requirements, they must be at least 18 years old and have experience working as a care provider in a health and care setting.

To apply for a Health and Care Worker visa, applicants must complete the standard Skilled Worker application form and check the box to confirm their interest in applying for the subcategory visa.

The next step is they will need to apply online and submit their CoS, along with proof of identity and other relevant documents.
The Health and Care Worker visa offers successful applicants and their dependants the opportunity to relocate to the UK. The applicants may also bring their families, provided they are also eligible.

Eligible family members must show proof of funds to support themselves on arrival. The cost for a partner is £285, for one child, it is £315, and for each additional child, it is £200. The family may provide evidence of their ability to support themselves. However, the sponsor may also cover the family costs in some instances.

• Can I hire a carer from abroad?
  You can hire a carer from abroad. A few things to keep in mind when recruiting social care workers from overseas include ensuring that they meet the qualifications and experience requirements. The UK Care Quality Commission (CQC) has strict standards for carers working in the country, so you must ensure that your applicants meet these standards before applying for a health and care visa.

• What is the solicitors regulation authority (SRA)?
  The SRA is the governing body for solicitors in the UK. They provide guidance and support to the public on seeking help from solicitors and what to expect from the process.

• Is the UK recruiting carers from Africa?
  Foreign nationals from the countries under UK’s travel red list are not allowed to travel to England.
  Currently, no countries are listed in the red list, making it possible to recruit carers from South Africa to stay and work in the UK.

• What is the Code of Practice for the International Recruitment of Health and Social Care Personnel in England?
  This code of practice aims to promote high standards of ethical practice in recruiting workers in the health and social care sector. Under these guidelines, all newly appointed international health and social care personnel must receive appropriate training and support.
  In addition, as part of the ethical international recruitment process, all health and social care employers must record international recruitment activities to determine the effect of international recruitment on the UK’s health and social care industry and the country of origin.

• What is the skilled worker route?
  The skilled worker route allows care worker visa applicants to come and do an eligible job for a Home Officed-approved employer in the UK. The sponsor hires the applicant to do a specific job which meets the skill and salary requirements set forth under the immigration rules.

• How do I apply for a shortage occupation list UK?
  We can guide you into ethical international recruitment and support other aspects of the skilled worker visa process.

• What is the Code of Practice for International Recruitment?
  This code of practice ensures that adherence to ethical recruitment practices. It supports the UK government in monitoring and measuring the impact of international recruitment flows in the health industry of both countries.

Health care organisations gain a competitive advantage by employing international care workers. However, hiring care workers overseas can be challenging, especially for organisations unfamiliar with the process.

While most health and care visa sponsorship and applications succeed, many fall short of the requirements and eligibility criteria. In short, some sponsors and applicants committed mistakes that led to undue stress, difficulty and unnecessary costs.

It is vital for organisations looking to hire a care provider from overseas to familiarise themselves with the process and requirements before applying.
There are many things to consider, such as the eligibility criteria, the application process and the necessary documents. The applications may also take a long time to process, so it is crucial to start well in advance.

The Home Office often calls sponsor licence applicants for various inquiries. You will need to convince them of the authenticity of your intent and that your organisation meet the criteria required for licence approval. That means persuading them with your responses to their inquiries and providing adequate documentation that you are an eligible employer and qualify for a sponsor licence.

As difficult as this may sound, you don’t have to go it alone.
Immigration Advice Service can help. We are professional, experienced and sympathetic immigration advisers with a long history of working with organisations that employ health and social care workers overseas.

If you are a care provider looking to recruit health and social care workers, we can work with you to prepare for it and ensure that you have the best chance of bringing applicants to stay and work in your organisation. We can help you and your applicant prepare your responses, assemble your supporting documents, and assist with formatting and drafting letters to help with your case.

We can also brief you, and your applicant on the most common pitfalls people fall into and things to look out for in the interview so you can go into it feeling confident, well-prepared and reassured.

For more information about our services and how we can help you recruit social care workers from overseas or with the UK visa application process, reach out to us on 0333 305 9375, or contact us online.