Migrant care workers are continuing to bring large numbers of family members to Britain despite new restrictions, according to Home Office figures. Just 12 health and care workers from Cameroon sponsored a total of 180 family members to join them in the year to March.
High Dependant Ratios Across Nationalities
Ghanaian health and care workers brought on average more than eight dependants each, with 2,131 family members joining only 257 workers. Bangladeshis brought more than five dependants on average, with 139 workers joined by 747 family members. Indians brought more than four, with 2,395 workers joined by 10,504 family members.
The Home Office barred care workers from bringing family members in March 2024 and later extended the ban to all migrant workers unless they had a job at degree level or above. However, those already in the UK before the restrictions can still sponsor dependants.
Political Reaction and Proposed Policy
Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, described the figures as “shocking” and used them to announce a new Conservative policy that would extend the ban to care workers already in the country. He told The Times: “These shocking figures show far too many family members, including the family of people working in kebab shops and vape stores, are being let into the UK. The number of dependants is unacceptably high, the burden of supporting them all too often falls on the British taxpayer.
“Worker visas should not be a route to let in thousands more family members. It is an abuse of the system. Far too many people entered the UK on social care visas and the previous Conservative government was right to put a stop to it.
“But today’s revelations show those already here on social care visas are still bringing in large numbers of dependants. This must be urgently stopped. Social care workers already here should not be able to receive new visas for new dependants. We have seen hundreds of thousands of dependants of care workers come here, more than the number of actual care workers, and this must now urgently stop.”
Broader Trends Among Migrant Workers
High ratios were also seen more widely among migrant workers. Pakistanis issued 1,029 skilled worker visas brought in 6,155 dependants — a ratio of six for every worker. Nigerians had nearly five dependants for each main applicant, with 1,114 family members joining 230 workers. The overall average across skilled worker visas was 1.3 dependants per worker. Europeans brought far fewer, with French workers — one of the main European groups — bringing in 701 family members for 1,804 workers, a ratio of 0.4.
Long-Term Stay and Settlement Changes
Research by the Migration Advisory Committee found that migrants on skilled worker visas, including health and care workers, are more likely to stay long term. Some 85% of those who arrived in 2019 remained for at least five years, up from 74% for those who arrived in 2014. Migrants from wealthier countries are less likely to stay, while those from Africa, southern Asia and non-EU European countries had the highest rates.
These higher stay rates have increased the number obtaining indefinite leave to remain, granting permanent rights to live, work, study and claim benefits in Britain. This has prompted the government to announce new “earned settlement” rules, doubling the qualifying period from five to 10 years, with earlier options for those in public sector roles, highly paid jobs or who contribute through volunteering. However, ministers face pressure to soften the changes for an estimated 1.6 million migrants already here. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is considering transitional arrangements, including possible exemptions for hundreds of thousands of care workers.
Government Response
The Home Office said: “We have taken significant action to reduce the number of dependants joining workers in the UK, steps which have contributed to overall net migration falling by 82% in just three years. This has included restricting dependants for all occupations below degree-level, increasing language requirements and ending overseas recruitment for care workers.
“Visa numbers for foreign workers are down 50% from their peak in 2023 as these reforms take effect, and we will double the route to settlement from five to 10 years, ensuring it is earned through contribution and integration.”
