The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and social care sectors have gained from the various contributions of health and care professionals, particularly foreign nationals residing in the UK.
Recognising labour shortages within the health sector, the UK government introduced the Health and Care Worker Visa, a route under the Skilled Worker visa. This route offered a pathway for skilled medical professionals and care workers to live and work in the UK.
However, with reforms being made to reduce migration and bring about a balance to the types of skills needed in the UK, the Home Office has introduced some changes to the Health and Care visa routes.
These reforms, particularly affecting care workers, are set to come into force in July 2025 and will have an impact on both individuals seeking to work in the UK as well as employers in the health and social care sectors.
Although there is plenty of information out there that speaks about these changes, this article provides a general overview of the most prominent changes and how they will affect you as a care worker looking to head off to the UK seeking employment.
What are the changes?
Effective from July 22nd, 2025, types of occupations within the Skilled Worker Program have changed. Since the Health and Care Worker visa route for overseas applicants falls under the skilled worker route, the changes carried out by the Skilled Worker Program will impact those working in the health care sector (occupation code 6145 for care workers). Let’s look at some of the most pronounced changes.
- New visas under this category will not be issued for any applicants outside the UK.
- Priority is given to care workers already working in the UK. Care providers within the UK must first prove that they have searched within the pool of care workers residing in the UK before resorting to searching internationally.
- If you are already residing in the UK and employed as a care worker, there is a transition period. During this period, you will be able to extend your visa or switch over to another visa category. This transition period is valid up to 2028.
The objective of these changes align with the Home Office’s intention to promote and develop the domestic health and care workforce, while reducing and being dependent on overseas recruitment.
What does this mean for existing care workers in the UK?
For those already residing in the UK under this route, or who have been sponsored, the transitional period as mentioned above exists.
You will be permitted to apply for permission to remain as a care worker if you have already been sponsored under this route.
If your visa doesn’t permit you to remain in the UK, in-country switching to the Skilled Worker route will also be possible until the year 2028 for individuals already in the UK on other types of visas.
Who is affected?
This restriction applies to new Health and Care Worker visa applicants for roles under occupation codes 6135 (Care workers and home carers) and 6136 (Senior care workers)who applied on or after March 11, 2024. The restrictions extended to include even the dependents of the care workers, and were not granted visas.
Who is exempt?
If you were already employed as a care worker or senior care worker in the UK on a Health and Care Worker visa before March 11, 2024, you remain unaffected by this rule and can still have your dependents join you or stay in the UK. Other eligible health and care professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, allied health professionals) not in the care worker categories can still bring their dependents.
Higher skill thresholds for Skilled Worker visas
The changes to the Skilled Worker visa route (the Health and Care visa is a subcategory of the skilled worker route) also impacted the minimum skill level for most Skilled Worker visas. Qualification cut off levels will rise from Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3 to RQF level 6 (graduate level).
This means many occupations previously eligible under the Skilled Worker route will no longer qualify for sponsorship from overseas. While many direct healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, health professionals) are already at or above RQF Level 6, some roles previously eligible under the Health and Care visa that do not meet the new RQF 6 level may not be available any more.
Increased Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fees and immigration fees
Effective from April 9, 2025, the cost of a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which employers need to issue to sponsored workers, increased from £239 to £525. Additionally, other immigration and visa fees across various categories have seen increases by about 7%. It is noteworthy to remember that the CoS fee must be paid by the sponsor and cannot be passed on to the individual being sponsored.
Conclusion
These changes have been carried out to reduce migration in certain employment sectors, and are expected to impact the UK’s social care sector, which relies mostly on international recruitment. While the government aims to encourage domestic recruitment and training, the immediate challenge will be how to fill up vacancies in a field that needs a certain level of expertise to function to its fullest potential.
For individuals considering a move to the UK for health and care work, understanding these evolving rules is important. Doing some background research to check specific occupation codes, salary thresholds, and eligibility for dependents will be beneficial in the long run.
Changes to the Health and Care Visas in the UK have already taken place. Both employers and prospective employees must keep themselves updated with the latest developments, seek expert advice, and adapt to these new realities to make the most of the new rules and regulations in order to get ahead successfully.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute of legal advice.