UK Care Worker Visa Closed to Overseas Applicants: What Options Are Left?
Since 22 July 2025, UK employers cannot sponsor care workers from abroad. Workers already in the UK can still switch until 22 July 2028 if they meet strict conditions.
UKIn brief
- Since 22 July 2025, new visa applications from outside the UK for care workers (SOC 6135) and senior care workers (SOC 6136) have been closed.
- People already in the UK on another visa can switch into these jobs until 22 July 2028, the government says, but the arrangement is kept under review.
- To switch, you must have worked legally for the sponsoring care provider for at least 3 months before the certificate of sponsorship was issued.
- Care workers already on a Skilled Worker or Health and Care visa in these jobs can extend, update or change sponsor.
- Nurses and other higher-skilled health roles are not affected by the closure.
| Country | UK |
|---|---|
| Organization | UK Home Office |
| Official source | GOV.UK – Explanatory memorandum to the Statement of Changes HC 997 ✓ gov.uk |
The UK has stopped recruiting care workers from overseas. Since 22 July 2025, employers cannot sponsor someone outside the UK for a care worker (SOC 6135) or senior care worker (SOC 6136) job. The change was made in the Statement of Changes HC 997.
For many job seekers in South Asia, Africa and the Gulf, this was the most popular route to the UK. Here is what is still possible.
The rule at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Closed since | 22 July 2025 |
| Jobs affected | Care worker (6135), senior care worker (6136) |
| New applications from abroad | Not allowed |
| Switching inside the UK | Allowed until 22 July 2028 (under review) |
| Switching condition | At least 3 months' legal work for the sponsoring provider |
| Existing care workers | Can extend, update or change sponsor |
| England employers | Must be registered with the Care Quality Commission |
Who can still work in UK care
- Care workers already sponsored in these jobs can renew their visa or move to a new sponsor.
- People already in the UK on another visa can switch into care work until 22 July 2028, if they have worked legally for the care provider for at least three months.
- Qualified nurses are not affected. Nursing jobs can still be sponsored under the Health and Care Worker visa.
Dependant restrictions for care workers remain in place.
What it means for job seekers
- Ignore "UK care visa" offers from abroad. Any agent selling a care worker visa from outside the UK is offering something the rules no longer allow.
- Nurses still have a route. If you are a registered nurse, focus on NMC registration and Health and Care Worker jobs.
- Look at other countries. Some European countries, such as Italy, still have quotas for care and domestic workers.
Protection from abusive sponsors
Since 8 October 2026, Skilled Workers recognised as victims of modern slavery can leave an abusive sponsor and do any lawful work for the rest of their visa. The Home Office says more than 6,600 sponsors have lost their licence since the current government took office. Read more in our report on the 8 October 2026 rule changes.
Official sources
- GOV.UK: Explanatory memorandum to HC 997 (care worker closure)
- GOV.UK: Health and Care Worker visa, your job
- GOV.UK: Victims freed from abusive employers under new visa rules
See also: UK Skilled Worker English requirement is now B2 and Italy's 497,550 work visa quota.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get a UK care worker visa from abroad?
No. Since 22 July 2025, UK employers cannot sponsor care workers or senior care workers from outside the UK.
Can I switch to a care worker visa inside the UK?
Yes, until 22 July 2028 under transitional rules, if you have worked legally for the sponsoring care provider for at least 3 months before your certificate of sponsorship was issued.
I am already a care worker in the UK. Can I change employer?
Yes. Care workers already on a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa in these jobs can extend, update their visa or change sponsor.
What are the alternatives to the UK care visa?
Qualified nurses can still apply under the Health and Care Worker route. Other options depend on your skills, such as Skilled Worker jobs in eligible occupations, or work visas in other countries.
Apply only through the official source.
Open official notice →TheJobSeek never charges for jobs and is not a recruitment agency. If anyone asks you to pay for a job offer or visa in the name of this article, it is a scam.
