But analysis by The i Paper of official figures shows existing reforms – implemented by the Conservative government – were already reducing visa numbers for care workers, students and dependants.
Experts say Labour are “doubling down” on Rishi Sunak’s policies. The affected sectors say they are already fragile following the Tories’ reforms, and that Labour’s plans were “kicking us while we’re down”.
Care chiefs confirmed it had cut the number of foreign staff the sector was able to recruit, adding that Starmer’s “nightmare” plan will make widespread staff shortages even worse and lead to more care home being shut down.
The number of monthly health and care visas increased from 4,100 to 18,300 between February 2022 and August 2023.
The Tories hiked minimum salary thresholds for care workers. And care staff were no longer eligible to bring their partners and children.
Labour’s Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said overseas recruitment for care worker visas will be stopped altogether – though care homes will be able to extend existing visas.
But sector chiefs fear it could take years to implement. They warned Labour was removing the “lifeline” of overseas staff without fixing the problems that might make it easier to recruit UK employees.
He added: “The Government is kicking us while we’re already down.”
International student drop threatens universities
The ability for graduates to stay in the UK after their studies will be cut from two years to 18 months, a new levy on income universities generate from international students could be introduced.
The University and College Union (UCU) general secretary Jo Grady has warned that further barriers to international students could “lead to universities going under”.
And there were 19,500 applications from dependants of international students in the year up to April 2025 – 87 per cent fewer than the year ending December 2023.
Labour’s plans will also see overseas workers need a degree-level qualification for a skilled work visa. The immigration skills charge, paid by firms sponsoring a migrant worker, will be hiked by 32 per cent.
Crackdown sees fall in family members
The number of skilled worker visa applications decreased from 10,100 in April 2024 to 3,500 applications in April 2025.
Jonathan Portes, professor of economics and public policy at King’s College London, said Labour plans were a “continuation” of Tory reforms, aimed at pushing declining visa numbers down further.
Professor Portes also accused Starmer of “damaging and divisive rhetoric” that played into the hands of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
“It’s likely it will have a negative impact on numbers, but we don’t know how big. It takes the downward trend and likely reinforces it with added restrictions,” said researcher Mihnea Cuibus.
Scottish Care accused Starmer of “naïve politicking” and warned that the “nightmare” halt on overseas care worker visas would force care homes to shut.
Amy Clark, commercial director of a Cornwall care home chain, told the BBC Radio 4’s Today that losing overseas staff would be a “big problem” and “recruiting locally is very, very difficult”.
The Government has been approached for comment.
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