The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned that new visa laws could cause almost 50,000 nursing staff to leave the UK.

The RCN is urging ministers to scrap plans to double the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) qualifying period.

The RCN says that the plans will cause uncertainty, hardship and deepen the nursing workforce crisis, threatening patient care. They also said it will set back the government's NHS reforms.

Migrant nursing staff without ILR face restrictions on changing jobs, as their visas are tied to specific employers. This has contributed to concerns about exploitation within social care. In addition, those without ILR are under “no recourse to public funds” conditions, so they are more vulnerable to financial hardships compared to their UK-trained colleagues.

The RCN has called for the government to offer nursing staff settled status on arrival like they do in New Zealand and Canada.

The RCN surveyed more than 5,000 migrant nursing staff. 60 per cent of those who don't have ILR said the decision to extend the qualifying period would “very likely” affect their decision to remain in the UK.

53 per cent of those surveyed said they were extremely concerned about the impact on their financial security, 52% extremely concerned about the impact on their family life, and a further 49% extremely concerned about the impact on their career.

Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, said: “This is no way to repay them and amounts to a betrayal. Our international colleagues deserve clarity over their futures, not to be used as political footballs by politicians and left unable to access state support despite working in public services and paying taxes.”