Health workers plan to leave UK due to high costs of immigration fees, petitions committee survey reveals

According to a survey conducted for the House of Commons petitions committee, health workers have suggested they may leave the UK due to the cost of applying for indefinite leave to remain.

MPs are set to debate a petition relating to immigration fees for healthcare workers on 30 January, and the survey was conducted to inform this debate.

Of the 6,991 people who completed the survey:

  • 98 per cent agreed the cost of indefinite leave to remain fees should be reduced for health workers
  • 91 per cent of thought the cost should be £243
  • 71 per cent of those who said they did not intend to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK told the survey this was due to the high costs involved
  • 28 per cent of those who said they had delayed making an application for indefinite leave to remain in the UK told the survey this was due to the high costs involved

One nurse highlighted the impact expensive visa fees are having on them. They said:

“I am forced to buy used and second hand items only. I buy the cheapest groceries. Try and only use heating when absolutely required. Haven’t gone on vacations for more than a year and not planning any for next two years. I haven’t taken my kids to any place where I have to pay parking or pay entrance as I cannot afford any”

Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who is a member of the Petitions Committee will open the debate. She said: “This survey reveals the shocking situation faced by our healthcare workers.

“Not only are many of those who work in the NHS on low incomes, those who have come to the UK to work for the NHS face extortionate fees for applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

“All four nations face a staffing crisis and the Government needs to seriously look at the barriers to keeping healthcare workers in the UK.

“I’ll be holding the Minister to account for this on Monday and expect them to have pretty good answers for why healthcare workers have to pay thousands of pounds in immigration fees if they want to stay in this country.”