A new visa that will soon be implemented by the UK Government, which intends to create a fast-track route for migrants in the health service. Called the “NHS visa”, the visa is created to offset the possible fall of health service workers in the UK.
“The NHS visa will allow the UK Government to control immigration, while at the same time ensuring that there is not a skills shortage in the health service,” immigration lawyers Breytenbachts said to BusinessTech.
Approximately, 153 000 of the UK’s 1.2-million health workers are non-British. According to Reuters, critics have said that the end of freedom of movement for European Union (EU) citizens after Brexit may deprive the UK of a vital pool of workers.
“The visa will cost £464 (R8 800). The cost is half the normal visa fee. The visa process will also be fast-tracked, and persons can expect decisions on their visas within two weeks,” Reuters said. “Applicants for the NHS visa will be liable to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is £400 (R7 500) per year. It is, however, not clear yet, whether the NHS visa will operate outside the Tier 2 immigration route.”
The NHS visa also comes after the UK announced other changes to its immigration landscape, including new visas being for overseas graduates as well, which will enable them to stay in the country for two years.
“In the second half of 2019, the UK Government has announced its intention to create a new fast-track visa for individuals with skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM),” Reuters said.
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