The UK’s ongoing visa crackdown is beginning to severely affect the already overstretched care sector, with a sharp decline in the number of overseas workers being able to fill essential roles. A significant number of healthcare assistants, including Nigerians, who make up a vital part of the UK’s care workforce, are facing new barriers due to recent immigration rule changes.

Between April 2023 and March 2024, there were 129,000 applicants for the UK’s Health and Care Worker visa. However, that number plummeted to just 26,000 in the year leading to March 2025, largely as a result of policies that no longer allow care workers to bring dependants with them.

For Nigerian workers, many of whom migrate to the UK for opportunities in healthcare, the new restrictions on family reunification are particularly tough. A large portion of these workers have been integral to the care sector, especially as the UK faces a crisis of over 100,000 care vacancies, three times the national average.

With the UK government introducing a £25,000 salary threshold for overseas workers, healthcare assistants, including Nigerian nationals, may struggle to meet this requirement.

Experts warn that the shortage of workers could result in care home closures, directly affecting vulnerable populations and potentially leading to even greater pressure on NHS services.

Vicky Haines, Managing Director of Kingsway Care, expressed concern over the government’s strategy, stating that without more substantial support for the care sector, the situation will only worsen.

Age UK’s Caroline Abrahams echoed these concerns, stating that the absence of international staff would lead to disruptions in care, particularly for the elderly. This could ultimately send more patients to already overcrowded NHS hospitals.

While the UK Home Office claims these changes will help reduce reliance on international staff, critics argue that they are not taking into account the long-term needs of the care sector.

The government’s failure to develop a coherent recruitment strategy, particularly for Nigerian workers and other overseas nationals, is expected to exacerbate the problem in the months ahead.

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