Changes to Care Worker Sponsorship in the UK

On 12 March 2025, the government laid new immigration rules in Parliament to reduce reliance on overseas recruitment in the care sector and prioritise care workers already in the UK who need new sponsorship.

As of 9 April 2025, additional requirements were introduced that affect care providers in England who wish to sponsor workers, particularly under occupation codes 6135 (Care Workers) and 6136 (Senior Care Workers). 

 

Who will be affected?

These additional requirements will apply to:

• Care workers or senior care workers applying for entry clearance from overseas.
• Care workers or senior workers applying from within the UK but who do not meet the following exceptions:
  • Already being sponsored under codes 6145 or 6146
  • In another visa route but already working in care and have been employed by their prospective sponsor for at least three months

Care providers intending to sponsor individuals applying for entry clearance or those who are in the UK but unable to meet either of the 2 requirements set above will have additional requirements in place.

From 9 April 2025, care providers looking to sponsor new workers from overseas must first attempt to recruit from within England, specifically from a pool of displaced care workers requiring new sponsorship.

If an applicant is seeking entry clearance from overseas or is in the UK but does not meet the specified exceptions, their prospective sponsor must provide evidence that they have actively tried to fill the role with candidates already in the UK. This includes efforts to recruit from the pool of displaced care workers who require new sponsorship.

Sponsors must obtain confirmation from their regional partnership verifying that they have met this requirement and that no suitable workers were found within the pool of displaced workers.

Additional evidence for switching visa routes

Those who are in the UK on a different visa route, currently working as a care worker and now looking to switch to the Care Worker route, must provide proof that they have been continuously employed by the care provider for at least three months before applying. Employers may be required to submit supporting documentation to verify this period of employment.

These changes to the Immigration Rules reflect a push from the Home Office to find new sponsorship for sponsored care workers who have been displaced because their sponsor has lost their licence; has not provided sufficient work; or has been identified by the relevant local authority as a person who requires new sponsorship. 

Employers in the care sector must adjust their recruitment practices to comply with these new rules. This may result in longer recruitment timelines as they seek local workers before hiring internationally.

Prospective care workers should ensure they understand these new requirements and check their eligibility before applying.