Visa Boost for Thousands of Overseas Health Heroes
The Home Secretary has announced free visa extensions for more vital overseas health and care workers battling the coronavirus. Frontline staff like midwives, radiographers, social workers, and pharmacists with visas expiring before 1 October 2020 will get an automatic one-year extension—no hassle, no fees. This covers workers in both the NHS and the independent sector, plus their families.
Thousands to Benefit from Automatic Extensions
This new move builds on last month’s announcement that NHS doctors, nurses, and paramedics would also get visa extensions. All these workers will be exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge while the extension lasts. Around 3,000 key health and care workers and their families stand to benefit.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “We are incredibly grateful to all overseas health and care workers fighting this invisible enemy. We have already extended visas for NHS doctors, nurses, and paramedics. Now we are going further, including hundreds more frontline staff in both the NHS and independent sectors. These extensions will be automatic, free, and include exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge.”
Government Thanks Frontline Workers for Life-Saving Efforts
Health Secretary Matt Hancock added: “Frontline health and social care workers from overseas are doing extraordinary work responding to this global outbreak. About 3,000 workers and their families will benefit from this extension, and we are hugely grateful for their role protecting the vulnerable and saving lives.”
The extensions take immediate effect for all visas set to expire between 31 March and 1 October 2020. NHS employers nationwide will identify those eligible. Workers with unresolved applications who’ve already paid fees will be offered refunds.
Support for Families of Healthcare Workers Who Lost Lives
The Home Secretary confirmed that family members and dependants of healthcare workers who sadly died after contracting COVID-19 will be granted immediate indefinite leave to remain. The Home Office is working closely with the Department of Health and NHS Trusts to ensure these vital arrangements are in place.
