UK to ease Visa norms for health workers; application process to begin soon
Health workers from all over the world including India will be able to apply for UK visas. This visa will be valid for 12 months, which will be known as UK Health and Care Visa. The government has taken this temporary measure to meet the shortage of health workers in the country.
In a statement issued by the UK government on Friday, it ‘was said that ‘thousands of temporary health workers would be recruited. So that, the shortage of employees in this sector can be dealt with. This method will help in hiring qualified people, it is an easy and fast way. These workers will do care work in government-protected homes and take care of the elderly and handicapped there.’
This order has been made by the country’s government following the recommendations of the UK’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). In which caregivers and home caregivers have been made eligible for Health and Care Visa. Also everyone has been added to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). The minimum annual wage upon inclusion in the SOL for those selected for a health and care visa has been set at GBP 20,480.
The British government has said in its statement that, the coronavirus pandemic has exposed staff shortages in the social care sector. Putting pressure on existing employees, the temporary measures announced this week are expected to go into effect early next year and will be in place for at least 12 months.
According to the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), health workers who do not have a license to work in the country. They can register for the license before it comes into force early next year.
