Restricting the pipeline

UK care sector faces new recruitment limits

On 22 July 2025, the UK government closed overseas recruitment for adult social care roles under the Skilled Worker (Health and Care) visa.

Individuals already in the UK can continue to extend or switch within the route until 2028, subject to eligibility. Reforms, outlined in the White Paper Restoring Control over the Immigration System, implemented via the Statement of Changes and now the Immigration Rules carry significant implications for sponsors, particularly those reliant on international care sector recruitment (UK Immigration White Paper 2025: Key Changes for Employers | Hill Dickinson).

A narrowing window for sponsorship

A transition period is now in effect and remains in place until 22 July 2028, allowing for in-country applications to extend their current visa or switch from other visa routes to the Skilled Worker (Health and Care) visa. However, eligibility is restricted to:

• Care workers and home carers who currently hold a Health and Care visa sponsored under Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes 6135 (6145 pre-April 2024);
• Senior care workers who currently hold a Health and Care visa under SOC 6136 (6146 pre-April 2024).
• Individuals switching from a different visa route (e.g. Dependant visa, or Graduate visa) to Skilled Worker must now have been legally employed by the Sponsor in the relevant role for at least 3 months (before the Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned) unless...

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