From 9 April 2025, care providers in England had to try to recruit a care worker already in the UK before sponsoring one from overseas. That rule is now in force, but it has since been overtaken by a bigger change: from 22 July 2025, overseas recruitment of care workers closed entirely. This guide explains where things stand for care providers in 2026.
The headline: you can no longer sponsor a care worker from overseas. Since 22 July 2025, care workers (SOC 6135) and senior care workers (SOC 6136) can only be sponsored if they are already in the UK, and only until the route closes on 22 July 2028.
The April 2025 rule, and what replaced it
The April 2025 rule required care providers in England to show they had tried to recruit a care worker already in the UK who needed a new sponsor before assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship to someone overseas. From 22 July 2025 that became moot for new overseas hires, because overseas recruitment is no longer possible at all. In-country sponsorship continues: you can sponsor a worker already in the UK who has been on your payroll in the same role for at least three months.
Who this applies to
These rules apply to care providers in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own position, so check before you rely on this. Workers already sponsored under an existing visa are not affected mid-visa, but any new Certificate of Sponsorship must follow the current rules.
The compliance crackdown continues
The Home Office continues to enforce hard against misuse. Since July 2022, more than 470 sponsor licences in the care sector have been revoked for compliance failures and worker exploitation, affecting over 39,000 workers. You cannot pass sponsorship costs such as the visa fee or the Immigration Skills Charge to a sponsored worker, and CQC registration is required to sponsor care roles in England.
Salary
A sponsored care worker must be paid at least £25,000 a year, or £12.82 an hour, or the going rate, whichever is higher.
What care providers should do
Keep your sponsor licence duties tight to avoid revocation, run right to work checks using share codes, and plan in-country recruitment while the route remains open. Our team can keep your Home Office compliance in order.
How Borderless helps
We support care providers with the sponsor licence, Certificates of Sponsorship and compliance. See our health and care page, or get in touch.
Automate Home Office Audits with Borderless
The Borderless platform provides a centralized system for all sponsorships, automating reminders for key tasks and ensuring best practices across your organization, simplifying audit preparation and ongoing compliance.
