TL;DR
The UK care worker visa route was tightened significantly from 2024 following concerns about exploitation and the scale of recruitment. This article covers the current rules: regulated provider requirement, dependant restrictions, salary floor, and the implications for care workers in the UK.
Key facts
- Care workers and senior care workers use SOC codes 6135 and 6145 within the Health and Care Worker visa route.
- Care worker sponsors must be regulated by the Care Quality Commission or relevant nation's regulator.
- Dependants on new care worker visas are restricted under rules introduced in 2024.
- The going rate for care workers is set with reference to the National Living Wage.
Background to the changes
Care worker recruitment from abroad expanded rapidly after the route was added to the Health and Care Worker visa in 2022. By 2024, concerns about exploitation, sponsors operating outside the regulated care sector, and the scale of dependant arrivals led to a series of policy changes.
The Migration Advisory Committee analysed the route and recommended tightening. The government implemented several of the recommendations, with the changes taking effect in 2024.
Regulated provider requirement
From the date of the change, only care providers regulated by the Care Quality Commission (in England) or equivalent regulators in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can sponsor care workers. Unregulated providers (some domiciliary care arrangements outside the regulated framework) are no longer eligible.
Existing sponsors had to meet the regulated provider requirement to continue sponsoring. Workers sponsored by providers losing eligibility were given transitional provisions, including the ability to find a new sponsor within the curtailment window.
Dependant restrictions
New care worker visa applicants cannot bring dependants on new applications from 11 March 2024. Existing care worker visa holders who already have dependants on their visa retain that arrangement for the current visa and extensions where eligible.
The restriction does not apply to senior care workers under SOC 6135 in the same way as care workers under SOC 6145, though specific rules should be checked. The Health and Care Worker route for other healthcare roles (nurses, doctors, allied health professionals) is unchanged.
Salary and going rate
The going rate for care workers is set with reference to the National Living Wage rather than the standard going rate methodology used for other occupations. This ensures care workers are paid at least the legal minimum wage and prevents the route from being used to undercut UK pay.
Senior care workers (SOC 6135) have a higher going rate reflecting the seniority of the role. The salary requirements apply to actual pay; the role's hours must align with the salary structure to avoid breaching the minimum.
English language and other requirements
English language at B1 (CEFR) is required, as for other Skilled Worker / Health and Care Worker applicants. The TB test requirement applies based on the applicant's country of residence in the 6 months before application.
Care workers benefit from the Health and Care Worker variant's reduced application fees and IHS exemption. The applicant pays the application fee at the reduced rate; the IHS is not charged.
Implications for current and prospective applicants
Current care worker visa holders should check their sponsor's regulated status, as continued sponsorship requires the sponsor to be regulated. Workers whose sponsors lose regulated status face curtailment unless they switch sponsor.
Prospective applicants from abroad need to confirm that the sponsor is regulated and accept the dependant restriction. The route is significantly less attractive for those with families, who may now consider other routes (Skilled Worker in different occupations, family route if applicable).
The pre-2024 care worker route and its rapid expansion
Introduction: care workers were added to the Health and Care Worker visa route from February 2022 as part of the response to social care recruitment crises. The route covered SOC 6135 (senior care workers) and SOC 6145 (care workers).
Volume of applications: care worker visa applications grew substantially through 2022 and 2023. Home Office statistics showed care workers and senior care workers becoming a significant share of total Skilled Worker entries. By 2023, care workers were among the largest single category by occupation.
Sponsor patterns: a wide range of care providers, including some outside the regulated care sector, sponsored care workers. Concerns emerged about unregulated providers, employment practices, and the relationship between sponsorship and exploitation.
Dependant patterns: care workers brought substantial numbers of dependants under the Health and Care Worker dependant rules. The dependant volume became part of the policy concern that led to the 2024 tightening.
Exploitation concerns and regulator interventions
Reports from regulators and inquiries: the Care Quality Commission, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, and parliamentary inquiries identified patterns of exploitation: workers paying recruitment fees, working below promised hours, suffering wage theft, living in inadequate accommodation arranged by employers.
Sponsor licence enforcement: the Home Office's sponsor compliance team investigated multiple sponsors. Licence revocations of care provider sponsors increased through 2023; affected workers faced curtailment with the standard 60-day window.
Modern Slavery Act 2015 cases: some care worker situations met the legal threshold for modern slavery; the National Referral Mechanism received increased cases involving care workers. The Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre documented patterns.
Worker advocacy: trade unions (UNISON, GMB, Unite) and the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants advocated for tighter regulation of sponsor practices. Some advocacy focused on the structural problem of tying visa status to specific employer sponsorship.
The 11 March 2024 changes in detail
Regulated provider requirement: from 11 March 2024, only care providers regulated by the Care Quality Commission (England) or equivalent regulators (Care Inspectorate Scotland, Care Inspectorate Wales, RQIA Northern Ireland) can sponsor care workers.
Dependant restriction: new care worker visa applicants under SOC 6145 from 11 March 2024 cannot bring dependants. Existing care worker visa holders who already had dependants on their visa retain that arrangement for the current visa, subject to extension rules.
Senior care workers (SOC 6135): separately treated. The role continues with somewhat different rules; dependant access for senior care workers has different provisions than for care workers under SOC 6145.
Going rate based on NLW: care worker pay continues to be set with reference to the National Living Wage, which is set by the Low Pay Commission and updated annually. The April 2024 NLW increase to £11.44 per hour for over-21s set the operative floor.
Sponsor implications: who can still sponsor care workers
Regulated providers: the CQC publishes a public register of regulated care providers (cqc.org.uk). Sponsors must be on the register at the time of CoS issue. Providers losing CQC registration can no longer sponsor.
Transition for existing sponsorships: providers losing CQC registration during a sponsor's tenure typically have a transition period; affected workers face curtailment with the standard 60-day window if no compliant sponsor is found.
Sponsor licence compliance: regulated providers must still meet the standard sponsor licence requirements (record-keeping, reporting, right-to-work checks, salary compliance). The regulated status is necessary but not sufficient; the standard compliance obligations continue.
Practical effect: the regulated provider requirement excluded smaller, less formal care arrangements (some domiciliary care outside the regulated framework, some informal home care arrangements) from sponsorship eligibility.
Worker implications: rights, exploitation risks, alternatives
Existing care workers: their visas continue under the conditions at original grant. Dependants on the visa retain their status; extensions may need to address the changed rules at application time.
Mobility: care workers can switch sponsors (within the regulated provider list) using the same Skilled Worker route mechanics. The new sponsor's CoS supports the new application; Section 3C covers processing.
Routes to settlement: care workers reaching 5 years of continuous Skilled Worker / Health and Care Worker leave can apply for ILR on the standard timeline. The route to settlement is not affected by the dependant restrictions for those who came on the route before March 2024 or who came without dependants.
Exploitation concerns continuing: trade unions and advocacy groups continue to highlight exploitation risks. The Workers' Aid Fund (announced in 2024) supports victims of exploitation in adjusting their immigration arrangements. Specialist advice from migrant worker support organisations is available.
Care worker rights and the path forward
Existing care worker visa holders: visas continue under conditions at original grant. Dependants on the visa retain status; extensions may apply changed rules.
Switching sponsors within the regulated provider list: permitted using standard Skilled Worker mechanics. The new sponsor's CoS supports the new application; Section 3C covers processing.
Long-term route to ILR: 5 years of continuous Skilled Worker / Health and Care Worker residence leads to ILR. Care workers reaching the 5-year mark can apply.
Exploitation concerns ongoing: trade unions and advocacy groups continue to highlight risks. The Workers' Aid Fund supports victims; specialist migrant worker support organisations provide advice.
Specialist advice: care worker visa cases benefit from specialist immigration advice. The interplay of sponsor compliance, the dependant restrictions, and the regulated provider requirement requires careful navigation.
Specialist support for care workers
OISC regulation: immigration advisers in the UK are regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Levels 1, 2 and 3 cover different complexity of work; Level 3 covers the most complex cases including appeals and judicial review.
Solicitors authorised under the SRA: handle the most complex immigration matters, particularly cases involving Tribunal appeals, judicial review, and combination with other legal matters (family law, employment law, criminal law). The Law Society's Find a Solicitor service identifies specialists.
Specialist barristers: instructed by solicitors for Tribunal hearings and appeals. Chambers specialising in immigration (Garden Court, Doughty Street, Blackstone, Matrix among others) handle substantial volumes of immigration work.
Legal aid: available for some immigration matters. The scope has narrowed under LASPO; human rights challenges and asylum work remain in scope. The Legal Aid Agency administers funding.
Free advice services: Citizens Advice, JCWI (Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants), Right to Remain, Migrant Help, and many local charities provide free immigration advice for those who cannot afford private representation.
Using GOV.UK and official sources effectively
GOV.UK as the primary source: the UK government's single online portal for most public services. Immigration Rules, caseworker guidance, current fees and IHS rates, application forms, and updates are all on GOV.UK. The site is the authoritative reference for any current rule or process.
Subscribing to updates: GOV.UK allows email subscriptions to specific topics including immigration. Updates arrive when guidance is amended or new Statements of Changes are published. Practitioners and engaged applicants commonly subscribe.
Statements of Changes (SoCs): published on GOV.UK as PDF documents. Each SoC has a HC number identifying it; recent SoCs HC 590 of 2023, HC 1496 of 2023, HC 246 of 2024 introduced significant changes. The consolidated Immigration Rules on GOV.UK reflect the current text after all SoCs.
Modernised caseworker guidance: published separately from the Rules. Covers practical application; not binding but highly influential. Updates flow through new versions with effective dates.
ONS, HMRC and other primary data: GOV.UK aggregates data from across government. ONS migration statistics, HMRC tax and customs data, sectoral statistics from departments. The data underlies policy decisions and is publicly accessible.
Frequent practical questions about UK immigration
What if my application is delayed? UKVI publishes service standards on GOV.UK. Most cases are decided within the published standard; complex cases can take longer. Contact UKVI's helpline after the standard time has expired. Formal complaints through the dedicated channel can prompt review.
What if I cannot afford the fee? Fee waivers are available on family route, human rights, and some other immigration applications where destitution or child welfare is affected. The MN1 fee waiver application is on GOV.UK; specialist support from charities helps with the evidence.
What if I need specialist advice? OISC-regulated advisers handle most immigration matters at the appropriate level. Solicitors authorised under the Solicitors Regulation Authority handle complex cases including Tribunal appeals and judicial review. Legal aid is available for some matters.
What about appeals and challenges? Refusals carry route-specific remedies. Most points-based routes have administrative review for caseworker errors. Family route human rights refusals have Tribunal appeal rights. Judicial review applies where no other remedy exists.
What if circumstances change? Visa conditions and the surrounding circumstances can change. Reporting material changes (address, employer, family circumstances) to UKVI through the UKVI account or formal change of circumstances applications maintains the visa's integrity.
What about future return to the country of origin? UK immigration status does not prevent eventual return; the leaving-the-uk articles on this site cover the tax and practical aspects of departure.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about UK immigration law and is not legal advice. The Immigration Rules are amended frequently. Anyone affected by an active immigration decision, refusal or enforcement matter should take advice from an OISC-regulated adviser or a solicitor authorised under the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Frequently asked questions
Can care workers still come to the UK on a visa?
Yes, but with significant restrictions since 2024: sponsors must be regulated care providers, dependants cannot accompany new applicants, and the going rate is set with reference to the National Living Wage.
Can I bring my family on a UK care worker visa?
New care worker visa applicants from 11 March 2024 cannot bring dependants on new applications. Existing care worker visa holders who already have dependants on their visa retain that arrangement for the current visa, subject to extension rules.
What is a regulated care provider?
A care provider regulated by the Care Quality Commission (England), Care Inspectorate (Scotland), Care Inspectorate Wales, or the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (Northern Ireland). Sponsors must be on the regulated list to sponsor care workers.
What is the minimum salary for a UK care worker visa?
The going rate is set with reference to the National Living Wage. Current figures are published in Appendix Skilled Worker and updated alongside National Living Wage changes.
Why did the UK tighten the care worker route?
Concerns about exploitation of workers, sponsors operating outside the regulated care sector, and the scale of dependant arrivals. The Migration Advisory Committee analysed the route and recommended tightening; the government implemented several recommendations in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
Can care workers still come to the UK on a visa?
Yes, but with significant restrictions since 2024: sponsors must be regulated care providers, dependants cannot accompany new applicants, and the going rate is set with reference to the National Living Wage.
Can I bring my family on a UK care worker visa?
New care worker visa applicants from 11 March 2024 cannot bring dependants on new applications. Existing care worker visa holders who already have dependants on their visa retain that arrangement for the current visa, subject to extension rules.
What is a regulated care provider?
A care provider regulated by the Care Quality Commission (England), Care Inspectorate (Scotland), Care Inspectorate Wales, or the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (Northern Ireland). Sponsors must be on the regulated list to sponsor care workers.
What is the minimum salary for a UK care worker visa?
The going rate is set with reference to the National Living Wage. Current figures are published in Appendix Skilled Worker and updated alongside National Living Wage changes.
Why did the UK tighten the care worker route?
Concerns about exploitation of workers, sponsors operating outside the regulated care sector, and the scale of dependant arrivals. The Migration Advisory Committee analysed the route and recommended tightening; the government implemented several recommendations in 2024.
