As confirmed in the Government’s December 2024 policy statement, and formalised by Statement of Changes HC 997, overseas sponsorship of frontline care workers is being phased out.
As set out in the government’s Immigration White Paper, the UK care worker immigration route is to come to an end from 22 July 2025. The impact on UK health and social care will be significant, as employers will no longer be able to sponsor nationals from overseas in care or senior care worker roles after this date.
Closure of Visa Route for Care Workers
Statement of Changes HC 997 formalises the change, confirming that the immigration route for care workers will close to new applicants from 22 July 2025.
For clarity, there is no stand-alone “care-worker visa”. Instead, since 15 February 2022 care workers (SOC 6135) and senior care workers (SOC 6136) have been eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, specifically its Health and Care visa sub-category. HC 997 leaves the sub-category in place, but withdraws those two occupation codes for new overseas recruits.
From 22 July 2025 the Home Office will refuse new entry clearance applications that rely on Standard Occupational Classification codes 6135 (care workers and home carers) or 6136 (senior care workers), so sponsors can no longer recruit frontline carers directly from overseas.
Transitional Arrangements
Transitional arrangements will operate until 22 July 2028. Sponsored care workers already in the UK can move into, or remain in, a 6135/6136 post, provided they have been lawfully employed by the same sponsor for at least three months before the new CoS is issued.
The same three-month rule applies to changes of sponsor within the sector. Care providers in England must also continue to hold up-to-date CQC registration throughout this period.
After the 2028 cut-off date, the codes will be removed from both the Immigration Salary List and the Temporary Shortage List, ending sponsorship entirely.
Need Assistance?
In practical terms, the route closure means care providers will have to halt overseas recruitment in these codes after 21 July 2025. This could lead to international hiring budgets being redirected to other categories or domestic upskilling.
It is advisable for employers of sponsored care workers to conduct an audit of their current workforce to identify staff who might need an in-country switch before the 2028 deadline. Payroll records showing at least three months’ prior employment should be collated and stored as caseworkers will ask for proof.
To discuss how the changes impact your organisation across its immigration, employment law and HR needs, contact us.
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals
