The Government has made it easier for overseas pharmacists to come to the UK by adding the profession to the Shortage Occupation List.

The Home Office announced yesterday (March 4) that pharmacists have been added to the list, which gives people working in certain jobs an advantage in obtaining a skilled visa.

Having a job on the list gives an individual 20 points towards the 70 they require to get a visa. The other mandatory criteria are “an acceptable standard of English,” an offer from a licensed sponsor and “the required skill level”.

Dental hygiene therapists, public health managers and audiologists are among the other health workers added to the list yesterday. 

The changes follow a 2020 review from the independent Migration Advisory Committee, which has previously resisted adding pharmacists to the list. 

“The changes build on the Government’s delivery of the new points-based immigration system,” a Home Office statement said.

Immigration minister Kevin Foster said: “Every year we welcome healthcare workers from across the world to our United Kingdom, with many having played a key role on the frontline of the NHS during the recent pandemic. This latest set of changes, combined with our Health and Care Visa, will ensure they can easily get the immigration status they deserve.”