What the new immigration rules mean for sponsored staff in the UK

Key points for sponsored workers

• From 22nd July 2025, care providers can no longer recruit care workers from outside the UK.
• This change does not affect overseas care workers already in the UK.
• Care Providers can still sponsor any worker who is already here on a Health and Care Worker visa. This will continue until at least July 2028.
• This allows sponsored care workers already in the UK to switch to a new sponsor — particularly if their current employer isn’t meeting sponsorship obligations, such as providing sufficient hours.

Workers Displaced by Sponsor Revocations

• Regional partnerships, including SESCA, will continue supporting workers whose sponsor’s licence has been revoked by UKVI, to find a new sponsor.

• These individuals can still be employed by a new sponsor as long as their current visa has not expired.

• Any worker whose original sponsor has had their license revoked and whose visa is coming to an end should approach their regional partnership for support and seek urgent advice from a specialist immigration adviser –
  Find a qualified immigration adviser

Other Visa Types

• Individuals currently in the UK on a different type of visa (such as a dependent, student, or graduate visa) can switch to a Health and Care Worker Visa — provided the individual has been working legally for the Provider for at least three months beforehand. Again, this will continue until at least July 2028.
• This allows employers to offer permanent sponsorship to someone who may have previously worked for them on a supplemental 20-hours-per-week basis, on a different visa.

Beyond 2028

• The Government has committed to supporting sponsored care workers already in England beyond the current transition period (to 22nd July 2028).

• Existing Health and Care Worker visa holders will be able to continue to work for as long as their visa remains valid.

• After July 2028, no new entrants will be allowed into the Health and Care Worker visa route from other visa types.

• The Government has also announced plans to extend the UK settlement period from 5 years to 10, though details are still to be confirmed.

• We expect further official  Home Office guidance on post-July 2028 arrangements and will update our information as soon as it becomes available.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to leave the UK after 22 July 2025?
No. Your visa remains valid until its expiry. If UKVI makes any change (e.g. due to licence revocation), they will contact you directly.

Can I keep working after 22 July 2025?
Yes, provided your visa allows you to work, there are no changes.

Can I renew my visa when it ends?
That depends on your visa. Please seek advice from a registered immigration adviser:
Find a qualified immigration adviser.

Can I be sponsored again in future?
Yes, if you are already working on a Health and Care Worker visa, you can continue to be sponsored by your current employer, or a new sponsor, until at least July 2028.
If you’re on another visa type and have worked legally for 3+ months, you may also be eligible for sponsorship.