Care worker Code 6145: Is it removed? Salary for care workers to increase from April 12 (Video)

By A Staff Reporter

LONDON April 5: The Home Office published its Spring Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules on 9th March 2023 announcing a number of changes to the Immigration Rules coming into force this year, some as soon as 12 April.

The most significant changes include:
An increase to the general salary thresholds and hourly rates;
Amendments to Appendix Skilled Occupations; and
Clarification on how to assess salaries for irregular working patterns.

Since 16 February 2022, care workers and home carers have featured on the Shortage Occupation List. These roles are eligible for the Health and Care Visa, provided the worker meets the requirements and have an eligible sponsor.

In March 2023, the MAC published an interim report into labour shortages in the construction and hospitality sectors. The MAC is due to publish its full report in June 2023.

The interim recommendations included adding certain construction and hospitality roles onto the shortage occupation list. The Government accepted the recommendations for the following five construction roles, which are expected to be added to the SOL before the Government’s Summer Recess:

Bricklayers and masons
Roofers, roof tilers and slaters
Carpenters and joiners
Plasters and dryliners; and
Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified.

The following hospitality roles were recommended by the MAC to be added to Shortage Occupation List, but the Government is yet to confirm their inclusion:

1221 (Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors)
1223 (Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors)
5434 (Chefs)
5436 (Catering and bar manager)
9273 (Waiters and waitresses)

UK Shortage Occupation List 2023
The SOL is made up of two tables, which also specify the Standard Occupational Classification Code (SOC) for each eligible role.

Table 1: Shortage occupations where applicants for entry clearance or permission to stay may be paid 80% of the going rate for the occupation code:

6145 Care workers and home carers – private households or individuals (other than sole traders sponsoring someone to work for their business) cannot sponsor Skilled Worker applicants England, Scotland, Wales, Northern IrelandNo going rate – the salary must be at least £20,480 per year or £10.10 per hour

6146 Senior care workers – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 80% of going rate: £13,520 (£6.67 per hour

Table 2: Shortage occupations in eligible health and education occupation codes where going rates are based on national pay scales:

6141 Nursing auxiliaries and assistants – all jobs England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland