Update - IBMS Statement on Visa Renewal issues

Update 11 November 2026

The IBMS has written directly to the Home Secretary and Immigration Minister seeking action on visa salary requirements and settlement arrangements for internationally recruited biomedical scientists.

This accompanies approaches to Baroness Golding, Peter Swallow, Paula Barker, Kit Malthouse, Steve Yemm, Rushanara Ali, Afzal Khan, Rupa Huq and Kevin McKenna.

Letters and emails have also been sent to:

• 11 members of the Health and Social Care Committee.

• 11 members of the Science and Technology Committee.

• Four members of the All-Party Parliamentary Health Group.

Our campaign seeks two changes:

• Visa going rates linked to Agenda for Change pay bands for HCPC-registered biomedical scientists working in NHS services, on the same basis as comparable professions such as radiographers and physiotherapists.

• Inclusion of HCPC-registered biomedical scientists in the five-year public service settlement pathway.

We recognise the uncertainty facing affected colleagues and their families. Responses and any subsequent discussions can take time, and we will keep members informed of developments.

Members can strengthen this work by contacting their own MPs. Use our updated MP template, add your own experience and ask your MP to raise these concerns with ministers.

Update 03 November 2026

The Government response to the consultation A Fairer Pathway to Settlement (CP 1707), published on 2 November 2026, confirms the Earned Settlement framework, under which the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain will move from five years to ten. A five-year pathway is retained for qualifying public service occupations listed in Annex C of the document.

Biomedical scientists do not appear in Annex C, while several other HCPC-regulated professions do. Annex C is derived from the health and education occupations whose immigration going rates are based on national pay scales.

Biomedical scientists are eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa. The difference lies in how their salary requirements are set. For radiographers, physiotherapists and several other HCPC-registered professions, the going rate is set by their Agenda for Change pay band. For biomedical scientists, it is derived from earnings data for SOC 2113 as a whole, which also covers biochemists and other scientists. As a result, HCPC-registered biomedical scientists on Band 5 can fall below the going rate applied to them. This is the issue behind the visa renewal difficulties the Institute has previously raised, and the Migration Advisory Committee recognised it in its December 2025 review of salary requirements. The omission from Annex C appears connected to the same issue.

The Institute will write to government asking for the going rate for HCPC-registered biomedical scientists working in NHS services to be set by Agenda for Change pay bands, on the same basis as other HCPC-registered professions such as radiographers and physiotherapists, and for HCPC-registered biomedical scientists to be included in the five-year public service settlement pathway. The letter will also seek clarification on how any change would apply outside NHS employment, the arrangements for internationally recruited biomedical scientists already working across UK healthcare services, including those approaching five years’ qualifying residence, and the treatment of applications made before any changes take effect.

Our updated template letter to MPs covers both issues and can be used by biomedical scientists working in NHS, independent and charitable healthcare. Members can support this work by raising the issue with their MP.

The framework is not yet in force, and the Institute cannot advise on individual circumstances. Employers’ HR or visa support teams may be able to help with sponsorship questions, and GOV.UK explains how to find a regulated immigration adviser. We will update members as soon as there is anything further to report.

MP template | Government response CP 1707 | MAC review of salary requirements 2025 | Find an immigration adviser

Update 11 May 2026

The IBMS continues to work closely with NHS Employers, the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and the Health and Care Professions Council to seek a suitable outcome for members affected by visa renewal issues.

Discussions remain ongoing behind the scenes and we are continuing to press the importance of resolving these issues urgently to protect both the biomedical science workforce and the services patients rely on.

We will also shortly be launching a member campaign to help raise awareness of the impact these issues are having across the profession. Members will be encouraged to support the campaign by sharing key messages with their local MPs.

By working together, we can help ensure policymakers understand the risks these ongoing challenges pose to workforce sustainability and service delivery across the NHS.

Update 14 August 2025

There is no change to report at this time. The IBMS continues to work with NHS Employers, the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and the Health and Care Professions Council to secure a suitable outcome for affected members.

We have contributed to a paper drafted by NHS Employers at the request of the Department of Health and Social Care, setting out the issues that require resolution. We remain in regular contact with NHS England colleagues and will update members as soon as there is progress.

If you are directly affected, please speak to your employer in the first instance.

Update 26 September 2024

The IBMS wishes to inform affected members that we are still working with a number of other healthcare organisations to influence a suitable outcome. We are confident that this issue is getting the required attention from the healthcare system.

The IBMS has contributed to a paper drafted by NHS Employers at the request of the Department of Health and Social Care that we hope will clearly set out the issues for resolution by the government. We are also in regular contact with NHS England colleagues on this matter and will continue to update members on progress.

Original news story 28 June 2024

The IBMS is acutely aware of the challenges posed by the recent increase in pay thresholds for international recruitment and the changes to occupation codes that came into effect on 4 April 2024.

We are actively working with NHS England (NHSE), the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Department of Health and Social Care to address this issue. We shall inform members of updated information when available and encourage anyone affected to speak to their employer in the first instance.