What was meant to be a journey into the UK’s health and social care sector turned out very differently for 26-year-old Ijaj Abid Redwan Hridoy.
Arriving on a health care visa in 2023, he had promised to work in care—but instead, he ended up serving curry at an Indian restaurant in Helsby, Cheshire.
Hridoy, who also goes by the name Ijaj Ahmed, was found by Home Office immigration enforcement officers working at the Junoon Indian restaurant while living in a caravan nearby.
His story has become a high-profile example of how some individuals exploited the health and care worker visa system.
Visa Revoked and Legal Battle Lost
After authorities discovered his employment at Junoon, Hridoy had his visa canceled.
He challenged the decision in court, seeking a judicial review, but his appeal was dismissed.
The Upper Tribunal confirmed that he had breached the conditions of his visa, noting that his main employment was at the restaurant, not in health care as intended.
During the investigation, Hridoy admitted he worked at Junoon because Almag Healthcare Limited, which had sponsored his visa, did not provide him with regular shifts.
He could not produce proof of payments or work schedules from Almag, and he lived on site at the restaurant rather than in London or Nottingham, as he had claimed.
A Wider Problem in the Care Visa Scheme
Hridoy’s case reflects broader concerns about the health and care worker visa route.
Since its creation in 2020, over 760,000 foreign nationals and their dependants have applied for these visas.
Lawmakers have repeatedly highlighted abuse, where some applicants enter the UK under the guise of care work but never intend to work in the sector.
A 2024 Daily Mail investigation revealed that “cash-for-care” schemes were rampant.
Some agencies charged applicants up to £20,000 to secure visas, while untrained, overworked staff, often struggling with English, were left to care for vulnerable elderly residents.
The Court’s Ruling and Credibility Issues
In his tribunal, Hridoy’s lawyers argued the Home Office acted irrationally and that he should have been allowed to take supplementary employment.
But Judge Susan Kebede rejected these claims, emphasizing there was no legal error or procedural unfairness in canceling his visa.
She also highlighted credibility concerns over Hridoy’s account of his employment with Almag Healthcare.
The court concluded that the evidence clearly showed his primary work was at Junoon, not in the care sector, justifying the visa cancellation and notice of removal.
Political and Public Reaction
The case reignited criticism of mass low-skilled immigration under the care visa scheme.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp condemned the abuse, arguing that jobs in social care should go to the nine million working-age people in the UK who are economically inactive.
Nadra Ahmed, chairman of the National Care Association, warned that rogue agencies were profiting from bringing in workers who never intended to work in care, taking large fees from vulnerable applicants.
Home Office Response and Policy Changes
In response to widespread abuse, the Home Office ended overseas recruitment for social care roles.
A spokesperson confirmed that enforcement against illegal working has intensified, with arrests up 63% and strict measures in place for anyone breaking visa conditions.
Between 2022 and 2024, approximately 616,000 individuals entered the UK under the health and care visa scheme, many of whom were not fulfilling their intended roles.
What Happens Next
It remains unclear whether Hridoy is still in the UK.
His story serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of misusing visa schemes and the stricter enforcement now in place.
For the UK, the case highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing labor shortages in health care with the need to protect immigration rules and prevent exploitation.
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