Starting July 22, 2025, the UK government will introduce new immigration rules that could impact thousands of care workers, employers, and future applicants. Let’s break down what’s changing, who it affects, and what it means for your future in the UK.
What’s Changing in the UK Carer Visa Policy?
As part of the UK government’s broader strategy to tighten immigration and prioritize domestic hiring, several key changes are being made to both the Skilled Worker visa and the Health and Care Worker visa (a subcategory of the Skilled Worker route), which are:
- The general salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas is increasing from £38,700 to £41,700.
- The skill level requirement has been raised to a graduate degree level for many jobs.
However, most Health and Care Worker visa holders paid under national pay scales are not affected by the higher threshold. Their salary requirement remains at £25,000 or the going rate for their occupation—whichever is higher.
Which Roles Are Losing Sponsorship Eligibility?
Not all healthcare roles will remain eligible under the new rules. In fact, five roles are being removed from the UK Carer Visa sponsorship list because they no longer meet the updated skill criteria or are not considered shortage occupations:
- Healthcare practice managers
- Medical and dental technicians
- Health associate professionals (not elsewhere classified)
- Ambulance staff (excluding paramedics)
- Dental nurses
If you’re in one of these roles, new overseas recruitment is no longer allowed. Employers will now have to focus on hiring within the UK for these positions.
What About the Social Care Worker Visa?
One of the biggest updates is the closure of the Social Care Worker visa route for new overseas applicants. While this doesn’t immediately affect those already in the UK, it halts new recruitment from abroad for many care home and domiciliary care jobs.
A transition period will last until July 22, 2028, giving some workers time to extend or switch their visas—but only if:
- They’ve already been legally working in the role, and
- They’ve been employed by their sponsoring employer for at least 3 months before applying.
Roles Still Eligible Under the Health and Care Visa
Several important roles still qualify for the UK Carer Visa and appear on the expanded Immigration Salary List (ISL), meaning they’re considered crucial to the country’s workforce.
These include:
- Residential, day, and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
- Laboratory technicians (with 3+ years’ experience)
- Pharmaceutical technicians
- Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
Jobs on the ISL are still eligible for sponsorship with the same £25,000 salary threshold or the job’s standard rate—whichever is higher.
What Should Current Carer Visa Holders Do?
If you’re already in the UK on a Health and Care Worker visa, here’s the good news: you’re likely protected by transitional provisions. This means you can still:
- Extend your visa
- Switch to a new employer
- Apply for permanent residency under existing rules
But there’s a catch: your role must have been part of the Skilled Worker route before July 22, 2025, or your application must have been submitted before that date.
Final Thoughts: What This Means for Carers and the Future of UK Health Recruitment
These policy changes mark a major shift in the UK’s immigration approach to care work. For existing workers, there’s still a path forward. But for those hoping to come to the UK under the UK Carer Visa, especially in social care roles, the window is narrowing.
If you’re affected, it’s more important than ever to:
- Stay informed on which roles remain eligible
- Talk to your employer or immigration advisor
- Check your current visa conditions
As the UK aims to reduce overseas dependency and build up its domestic care workforce, these visa changes will play a critical role in shaping the industry’s future.