Scottish Care is deeply concerned by the Home Secretary’s proposals to extend the qualifying period for settlement for legal migrants, particularly the increase from five to fifteen years for those on health and social care visas. These changes will have a profoundly negative impact on the sustainability and quality of care and support services across Scotland.

Scotland’s care sector is already facing acute workforce shortages, with international colleagues playing a vital role in supporting older and vulnerable citizens. Forcing dedicated care workers to wait up to fifteen years for settlement, and tying their future to restrictive criteria, will deter much-needed talent from staying in Scotland and undermine the sense of security and belonging for all those already here. It is further deeply insulting to the professionalism of care organisations for those who do equivalent jobs as nurses and carers in the NHS to be treated so much better.

Such measures risk destabilising care provision, increasing turnover, and placing additional strain on already stretched services. Their impact especially in Scotland’s remote and rural communities is incalculable.

They also send a damaging message that the invaluable contributions of migrant care workers are not fully recognised or valued. Scottish Care urges the UK Government to reconsider these proposals and to work with devolved administrations to ensure immigration policy supports, rather than hinders, the future of care in Scotland.

We also urgently need Scottish Labour to come to challenge these proposals because they are insensitive to Scotland’s distinct needs and are a fundamental threat to our social care and health systems.

 

Last Updated on 21st November 2025 by Shanice