Up to 50,000 Nurses May Depart UK Amid Immigration Overhaul

The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) faces the possibility of losing up to 50,000 nurses due to proposed immigration reforms, according to a survey conducted by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). The anticipated changes, aimed at reducing net migration, could exacerbate the current workforce crisis within the NHS, which is already grappling with increased demand and staff shortages.

The proposed reforms, outlined by Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, include extending the period for migrants to apply for settled status from five years to as long as ten years. Additionally, the plans call for raising the skill requirements for foreign workers to degree level and increasing the English language proficiency needed for various visa categories, including for dependents. These measures are perceived as a reaction to rising support for Nigel Farage‘s Reform UK party.

Nursing leaders have voiced strong opposition to the proposals, characterizing them as “immoral” and a disregard for the contributions of highly skilled migrants. The RCN, in its survey of over 5,000 nursing staff, revealed that many foreign NHS and social care employees are experiencing significant distress regarding their future in the UK. Approximately 200,000 internationally educated nursing staff currently work in the UK, comprising about 25% of the total nursing workforce of 794,000.

The proposed changes to the indefinite leave to remain (ILR) status have raised alarms, with nearly 60% of surveyed nursing staff without ILR indicating that the new rules would likely impact their decision to remain in the UK. The findings suggest that over 46,000 nurses may consider leaving permanently if the proposals are implemented.

Prof. Nicola Ranger, General Secretary and Chief Executive of the RCN, stated that these proposals could jeopardize patient safety and hinder governmental efforts to reduce waiting times for treatments. She emphasized, “These proposals are not just immoral; they would be dangerous for our patients. No minister who has any interest in the success of our health and social care system would press ahead with extending the qualifying period for ILR.”

The RCN also highlighted that many of the nurses currently seeking ILR arrived in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic, often at great personal risk. Ranger criticized the government’s approach as a “betrayal” of the migrant nursing workforce, many of whom have worked in public services and contributed to the economy while facing uncertainty about their future residency status.

Without ILR, migrant nurses face restrictions that limit their job mobility, as their visas tie them to specific employers. This situation has reportedly led to exploitation within the social care sector. Additionally, the proposed changes would prevent these workers from accessing state support, such as child benefits and disability payments, for a decade, despite them contributing taxes.

The RCN survey indicates that the proposals have caused severe anxiety among migrant nurses. Approximately 53% expressed being “extremely concerned” about their financial security, while 52% were worried about the impact on their families. Furthermore, 49% reported being highly concerned about their career prospects.

Looking ahead, the RCN warns that the proposals could deter future foreign workers from migrating to the UK. Only 11% of respondents indicated they would still have chosen to migrate if the path to settlement were extended to ten years. The college is also advocating for a reduction in the application fees for ILR, which currently stand at £3,029 per person, despite the estimated processing cost being only £523.

In response to the backlash, a government spokesperson acknowledged the vital role of overseas healthcare workers, stating, “We are grateful to our overseas frontline healthcare workers, who bring compassion, deliver high-quality care, and strengthen our health service, but net migration must come down.” The spokesperson indicated that the proposed settlement model would allow individuals to potentially reduce their qualifying period for settlement based on their contributions to the UK economy and society. A public consultation on these immigration proposals is expected to be launched shortly, inviting participation from health and care workers.