Thousands of NHS doctors, nurses and paramedics with UK work visas will have them extended to help the fight against Covid-19.
The Home Office announced today that all those with a visa due to expire before October 1 will have them automatically extended by one year.
It will allow them to "focus on fighting coronavirus ", the government said.
The extension will apply to around 2,800 migrant doctors, nurses and paramedics, employed by the NHS whose visa is due to expire before October 1. It will also apply to those NHS workers' family members.
Today's announcement will also lift restrictions on the number of hours student nurses and doctors can work in the NHS.
Meanwhile, pre-registered overseas nurses who were required to sit their first skills test within three months, and to pass the test within eight months, will have this deadline extended to the end of the year.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Doctors, nurses and paramedics from all over the world are playing a leading role in the NHS’s efforts to tackle coronavirus and save lives. We owe them a great deal of gratitude for all that they do.
“I don’t want them distracted by the visa process. That is why I have automatically extended their visas – free of charge – for a further year."
The announcement comes just weeks after the government hiked the annual fee for non-UK nationals to use the NHS, even if they work within the service.
Three weeks ago, the Budget confirmed the Immigration Health Surcharge for non-Brits using the NHS would rise from £400 to £624 per year.
It will also be extended to 3million EU nationals who live in the UK from 2021 - even those who work in the NHS or pay taxes in this country.
Overall the Treasury is planning to raise £1.575bn in extra Immigration Health Surcharge over five years, from 2020/21 to 2024/25.
However, the Home Office said today's visa extension would be exempt from the £624 surcharge.
Long-term the government has also suggested healthcare workers will be able access fast-track visas after Brexit.
