Care assistants and home carers will become eligible for the Health and Care Visa in a bid to boost recruitment.
The change will make it quicker, cheaper, and easier for social care employees to recruit eligible workers.
The change follows a recommendation from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), it will make care workers and home carers eligible for the Health and Care visa and add the occupation to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL).
Inclusion on the SOL will stipulate an annual salary minimum of £20,480 for carers to qualify for the Health and Care visa.
The government has said that this could help to recruit thousands of additional works to boost the adult social care workforce.
The temporary measures will be in place for a minimum of 12 months.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: ‘It is vital we continue to do all we can to protect the social care sector during the pandemic and beyond.
‘These measures, together with the series of support packages announced since September, will help us ensure short-term sustainability and success for our long-term vision to build social care back better.
‘I also urge all care staff yet to do so to come forward to Get Boosted Now to protect themselves and those they care for.’
Home Secretary Priti Patel MP added: ‘The care sector is experiencing unprecedented challenges prompted by the pandemic and the changes we’ve made to the health and care visa will bolster the workforce and helping alleviate some of the pressures currently being experienced.
‘This is our New Plan for Immigration in action, delivering our commitment to support the NHS and the wider health and care sector by making it easier for health professionals to live and work in the UK.’