Hundreds of care workers will today lobby MPs in Parliament to overturn the plans and end company exploitation of overseas staff.

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: ‘Plans to increase the wait before workers can apply to settle here from five to fifteen years are cruel and could worsen the crisis in care at a stroke.

‘The current system of visa sponsorship is not fit for purpose. It traps care staff in jobs and allows unscrupulous employers to take advantage.

‘MPs should listen to the concerns of care staff or risk many leaving the UK for pastures new.'

The union called for sector-wide visas to replace the current system so workers would no longer be tied to one employer and urged MPs to implement the fair pay agreement as soon as possible.

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘We are grateful to our overseas frontline healthcare workers, who bring compassion, deliver high-quality care and strengthen our health service, but net migration must come down.

‘As the Home Secretary has set out, under our proposed new settlement model, individuals will have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period to settlement and citizenship based on contributions to the UK economy and society.

‘We have launched the consultation and encourage health and care workers to take part.'