Care worker Visa route officially closed to new overseas applicants
Care worker visa route officially closed to new overseas applicants
The UK Government has now confirmed one of the most significant changes to the immigration system in recent years: the closure of the care worker visa route to new applicants from overseas.
This reform is part of the broader strategy outlined in the May 2025 White Paper, which aims to reduce migration across work, study, family, and settlement routes. The care sector, once a major driver of Skilled Worker visa applications, will no longer be open to international recruitment for new hires starting later this month.
Why is the care visa being closed?
In recent years, thousands of care workers entered the UK through the Skilled Worker visa route, especially after care worker and senior care worker roles were added to the Shortage Occupation List in 2022. While this helped address short-term staffing pressures in the sector, the Government now argues that long-term reliance on international recruitment has become unsustainable.
According to official data, the number of dependants arriving with care workers surged dramatically, with dependants eventually making up the majority of visa holders in this route. The Government has also raised serious concerns about poor working conditions, underpayment, and recruitment abuse within the care sector.
In response, it has now decided to completely withdraw the route for new overseas care workers, with the goal of encouraging domestic recruitment and improving pay and working standards across the sector.
Key dates and who is still eligible
- From 22 July 2025, new overseas applications for care worker and senior care worker roles will no longer be accepted under the Health and Care Worker visa.
- These changes apply to occupation codes 6145 and 6146.
- If you are already in the UK on a care visa or have worked for your UK sponsor for at least 3 months before the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) was issued, you can still extend your visa or switch routes within the UK.
- Transitional arrangements will be in place until 22 July 2028.
It’s important to note: this closure only affects new applicants applying from outside the UK. If you are already here and working legally in a care role, your visa can still be renewed within the allowed timeline.
What’s replacing it?
The Government is shifting focus to a new Temporary Shortage List (TSL), which replaces the Shortage Occupation List for non-degree-level roles. However, care roles will not be included on this new list. This means the sector will be entirely excluded from sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route going forward.
Instead, the Government plans to address staff shortages through domestic reforms, including:
- Sector-wide Fair Pay Agreements
- Improved working conditions
- New career pathways within the care industry
These steps aim to reduce turnover and improve recruitment from within the UK, without relying on overseas workers.
What this means for care providers and applicants
For UK-based care providers, this reform creates immediate challenges. Employers who have depended on international recruitment will need to rethink their strategies. This includes planning for domestic workforce development, investing in training, and aligning with new regulatory expectations around pay and retention.
For care workers already in the UK, there is still a path forward – but it’s important to act quickly. Ensuring your current visa is valid, that your CoS was issued correctly, and that you meet the requirements to switch or extend is critical.
BS Immigration has been guiding employers and individuals through every major UK immigration reform since 2018. We are proud to be an IAA-certified immigration advisory firm, authorised to work directly with the UK Home Office.
Whether you’re an employer adapting to these changes or a care worker unsure about your next steps — we’re here to help.
Let our experience work for your future.