Britain could face a further shortage of care workers as migrants who had been ready to move to the UK for jobs in the sector cancel their plans because of new visa rules that prevent them from bringing family.

Migrating to the UK for a role as a care worker had been Tanyaradzwa Makwiranzou’s goal since opportunities opened following the Covid-19 pandemic.

After completing a nurse aide course, Makwiranzou last year obtained the necessary documents in preparation to move from Zimbabwe to the UK, including police clearance and an English test.

But his investment of time and more than £1,000 was laid to waste on 11 March this year when the UK brought in visa rules that mean care workers are unable to bring dependants when they migrate.

The measures, announced by the Government in December 2023, are intended to reduce the number of migrants coming through the care visa route and to combat abuse and manipulation of the immigration system.

Makwiranzou, who lives in the capital Harare with his wife and 14-month-old son, said it was heartbreaking.

“The new restrictions defeat the whole purpose of migration. I wanted to move to the UK for the sake of my child. I want him to live in a better society,” he said.

“I cannot leave my family behind.”

The NHS and wider UK health system has been severely understaffed since before the pandemic.