Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about Health and Care staff and immigration as the Coronavirus outbreak continues.
I couldn’t agree with you more that we have seen courageous and heroic efforts made by front-line staff during this pandemic and we owe them an immense debt of gratitude.
You mention the case of Dr Basem Enany. I understand that Dr Enany is in the UK entirely legally and has every right to remain in the UK. My thoughts continue to be with his family. As I understand it, the Home Office will be in contact contact with Dr Enany's family and his employer so help can be provided at this difficult time.
I am particularly pleased that the Government has taken action to ensure the immigration system does not unduly infringe the ability of the NHS to respond to the Coronavirus outbreak. Anyone working within eligible professions for the NHS or independent healthcare provider had their visa automatically extended by one year if it was due to expire before 1 October 2020. The Government made sure that the extension was free and the immigration health surcharge did not have to be paid as part of this extension.
I note your concerns regarding the length of this extension, and I have raised these with the Home Office team. However, it is important to remember that the visa extensions are just one part of the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and you may be pleased to know that Ministers have been clear that they continue to consider how best to support the health and social care sector.
Other areas of support include the bereavement scheme, the exemption from the NHS Surcharge and the new Health and Care Visa.
In April, the bereavement scheme was introduced for health workers in the NHS and independent health and care sector. The Home Secretary said at the time that her team would continue to work hard to look at ways to provide further support. I welcome the fact that the Home Office is now extending the offer of indefinite leave to remain, free of charge, to the families and dependants of NHS support staff and social care workers who have tragically died of Coronavirus in pursuit of saving others.
I welcome the fact that the Government has now exempted NHS and care workers exempted from the Immigration Health Surcharge fee, as a testament to their inspirational work throughout this crisis.
The new Health and Care Visa creates a new fast-track visa route for eligible health and care professionals. There are some key and welcome benefits to this new route. A reduced visa application fee will apply compared to that paid by other skilled workers and successful applicants will be exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. It is good news that the process will be quick and streamlined.
Thank you again for contacting me.
Kind regards, Alister