Despite government restrictions, migrant workers continue to bring a significant number of family members to the UK, with figures showing up to 15 dependants arriving for every care-worker visa issued. These statistics have drawn criticism, with accusations that the system is being exploited.
In the year ending March 2026, the Home Office granted 12 health and care visas to workers from Cameroon. However, during the same period, 180 visas were issued to family members from the Central African nation, representing a ratio of 15 to one. The Home Office noted that dependants do not necessarily directly correspond to newly issued worker visas and could be joining individuals who arrived years prior when immigration rules were different.
A similar pattern was observed for Ghanaian migrants, with more than eight dependants arriving per care-worker visa. Ghanaians received 257 health and care visas, while their family members were issued 2,131 visas. For Bangladeshi migrants, the ratio exceeded five family members per worker visa, and for Indian migrants, it was more than four.
The Home Office implemented a ban on care workers bringing family members in 2024. This restriction was later extended to all migrant workers unless their jobs were at a degree level or above. However, individuals who arrived before these curbs were introduced are still permitted to bring dependants to the UK.
The skilled-worker visa system was initially introduced after Brexit to address labor shortages. Between its launch in December 2020 and the end of 2024, 1.18 million people applied for these visas, including 630,000 dependants. A parliamentary report last year highlighted widespread abuse of the skilled-worker visa system, raising concerns about the Home Office's ability to track migrants who overstay their permits.
Previous investigations have exposed schemes charging thousands of pounds to illegally obtain skilled-worker visas, often with the promise of facilitating family reunification. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp stated that while the previous Conservative government was correct to halt new care worker dependants, the ongoing arrival of large numbers of dependants for those already in the UK must be stopped.
A Home Office spokesperson commented that many dependants may be joining relatives who arrived years ago. The department asserts that significant actions have been taken to reduce the number of dependants, contributing to an 82% decrease in overall net migration over three years.