Extend free visa scheme to all frontline care and NHS staff, says UNISON

UNISON member Akeem Lawall speaks out about the huge cost for him and his young family as UNISON launches campaign for people to write to their MP over Immigration Bill

A government scheme exempting overseas workers from visa fees for one year should be extended to all care staff and NHS employees, says UNISON today (Monday).

The union is backing an amendment brought by MP Yvette Cooper to the Immigration Bill ​that would ensure many more staff – such as social care workers, hospital cleaners, healthcare assistants and porters – would not have to pay up to £3,000 to remain working on the Covid-19 frontline.

A campaign launched by UNISON urging people to write to their MP to get the Bill changed coincides with the publication today (Monday) of a Home Affairs Select Committee report​, which also calls for a visa scheme extension.

Only around 3,000 NHS workers – whose visas were due to expire before 1 October – currently qualify for the free extension announced in April by the Home Office.

UNISON says many more are having to face the costly and stressful process of applying because they are not eligible under the scheme.

They include South East based care support worker Akeem Lawall who has been working up to 60 hours a week looking after vulnerable people throughout the pandemic in a care home.

Akeem’s story was featured on Newsnight on Friday 12 June (27mins07secs in)

The 37-year-old earns just £9.50 an hour but will have to pay to replace his visa when it expires in September this year, despite being classed as an essential worker.

Akeem, who came to the UK from Nigeria in 2016 and is married with two children, says: “I want to continue in my job caring for people.

“The visa is a huge cost though that I’ll struggle to pay given my wages – I don’t know how I’ll find the money.”

UNISON is also calling on the government to grant key workers who have been on the Covid-19 frontline indefinite leave to remain.

UNISON South East regional secretary Steve Torrance said: “It’s deeply unjust that thousands of care workers and NHS staff don’t qualify for this free scheme.

“It’s a costly process reapplying and one that’s stressful at the best of times, let alone during a pandemic.

“Many migrant workers are in a precarious position with their visas up for renewal during the crisis. They’re on the frontline looking after us – we must look after them too.”

Email your MP now and call for the visa scheme to be extended to all NHS and Care workers

Notes to editors:

– Click here for more details on UNISON’s campaign for the free visa scheme to be extended to all care and NHS staff.  
– A one-year visa extension costs around £3,000 which includes the basic fee, NHS surcharge and biometric costs.
– The Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination Bill is currently making its way through Parliament.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Kieran Pearson M: 07432 741585 E k.pearson@unison.co.uk
National Press Office E: press@unison.co.uk