A significant proportion of international health workers in the UK are considering leaving the country, raising fresh concerns over staffing pressures in the NHS, according to new research.
A survey conducted by the trade union Unison found that 43% of overseas healthcare staff are now thinking about leaving the UK, while many report feeling unwelcome or unsafe amid rising anti-immigration rhetoric.
The findings come at a time when the NHS is already struggling with workforce shortages, with unions warning that tighter immigration rules, higher visa costs, and longer settlement requirements could make recruitment and retention even harder.
Unison surveyed nearly 1,900 international health and care workers who have come to the UK to work in the NHS and wider care system.
Alongside those considering leaving, around a quarter of respondents said they do not feel welcome in the UK, while one in five said they feel unsafe.
The union said many workers expressed uncertainty about their long-term future in the UK, with frequent policy changes making it difficult to plan ahead for themselves and their families.
There are growing concerns that proposed changes making it harder for migrant health workers to gain settled status could worsen existing staffing shortages across hospitals and care services.
Unison said increased visa fees and stricter immigration rules are adding further pressure on an already overstretched workforce.
Unison’s head of health, Helga Pile, warned that the NHS would struggle to function without overseas staff, many of whom fill essential roles across hospitals, GP surgeries, and care homes.
She said it was deeply concerning that so many international staff do not feel safe or welcome in the UK, warning that this could accelerate departures and deepen staffing gaps.
The union has called on ministers to reconsider plans that would extend the settlement period for migrant health and care workers, arguing that such changes risk undermining workforce stability.
Unison also urged political leaders to stop what it described as negative rhetoric towards migrant workers, highlighting their essential role in sustaining the UK’s health and social care system.
The union said international staff are vital to keeping services running and warned that losing them would put further strain on an already stretched NHS.