The United Kingdom government has officially stopped issuing new Health and Care Worker visas to foreign care workers, effective July 22, 2025.
The move marks a significant policy shift as part of efforts to reduce migration, particularly in lower-wage sectors.
The policy is intended to boost local employment and address misuse of the visa sponsorship system.
However, care industry stakeholders argue it could worsen workforce shortages already affecting social care providers across the UK.
According to TravelBiz, the move aims to prioritise UK-based workers and reduce abuse of the visa system. However, critics warn the sudden halt may worsen existing staffing shortages in the country’s already strained social care sector.
However, no new overseas applicants will be accepted under this visa category going forward. Once the current visa term ends, options for renewal or switching to another care-related visa may no longer be available.
Care workers under SOC Code 6145 were previously on the UK’s Shortage Occupation List, allowing easier entry through lower salary thresholds, reduced fees, and faster processing. With the latest policy change, these benefits no longer apply.
Who’s Affected?
The decision impacts not only current visa applicants overseas, but also the thousands of migrant care workers already living in the UK, many of whom entered the workforce through licensed care providers.
Over 220,000 care workers have come to the UK through this route since 2020.
In the last two years alone, more than 470 employers have lost their sponsorship licences due to non-compliance or fraud, leaving many migrant staff stranded without work or recourse.
The adult social care sector in England currently reports 131,000 vacancies, according to Skills for Care, and there are an additional 34,000 nurse vacancies across the NHS (rcn.org.uk, skillsforcare.org.uk).
Organisations such as Unison, Care England, and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have issued strong warnings that this move could exacerbate staffing pressures and strain care delivery. A 2024 RCN survey found that 42% of internationally educated nursing staff were planning to leave the UK, citing exploitation, uncertainty, and lack of career security.
What Should Affected Workers Do Now?
If you’re currently in the UK on a care visa, here’s what you need to know:
✅ Extend Your Stay
You may continue working and living in the UK under your existing visa terms and can apply to renew or switch employers until 2028. Visit www.gov.uk and search for “Health and Care Worker visa” for details.
✅ Explore New Routes
Consider switching to a Skilled Worker visa if you’re in a senior role or qualified nurse. These roles carry higher salary thresholds but offer stability and a pathway to settlement.
✅ Seek Legal Advice
If your employer loses their sponsor licence, you have a 60-day grace period to find a new one. Contact registered immigration advisers via www.gov.uk (search: “Find an immigration adviser”) or support charities like:
Work Rights Centre – www.workrightscentre.org
Justice & Care – www.justiceandcare.org
Migrant Help – www.migranthelpuk.org
Unison – www.unison.org.uk
✅ Upskill
Improve your long-term prospects by earning a Level 2 or 3 Health and Social Care diploma and strengthening your English skills if needed. Free and low-cost courses are available through www.open.ac.uk, www.findcourses.co.uk, and local colleges.
