Islamabad, June 16, 2025: If you are preparing your paperwork, updating your CV, and dreaming applying for a care worker visa in the UK, it’s time to pause and change your plans. The UK Government has just shut down a major immigration pathway for overseas care workers—and time is short.
According to the May 2025 Immigration White Paper released by the UK Home Office, the Health and Care Worker visa will be phased out later this year for new applicants outside the UK. Soon, overseas care workers won’t be able to apply for this visa from abroad. From that point on, the UK’s social care sector will have to tap into domestic labour or rely on migrants already residing within the country.
Why this Change?
UK Home Office and Department of Health and Social Care officials explained that the shift is meant to:
- Curb overall immigration numbers
- Boost recruitment of UK-based workers
- Limit exploitation in care roles, which have been prone to low pay and poor working conditions
However, nearly 20% of care workers in the UK were previously hired from overseas. To stop this flow is likely to place significant strain on the sector and cause disruption for many hopeful applicants.
Who is Affected?
Directly impacted from this initiative are:
- Care-worker hopefuls currently outside the UK—new overseas visa applications will not be accepted after the cutoff.
- Recruitment firms—they will no longer be able to source new overseas staff unless the candidate is already based in the UK.
Still Eligible Until 2028
Existing care workers in the UK can continue to extend their visas, change sponsoring employers within the sector, and may qualify for settlement if they meet the requirements. Moreover, non-care migrants in the UK on student or family visas can be hired into care roles if they meet job and sponsor conditions.
Care workers affected by revoked sponsorship licences (“displaced workers”) can be taken on by other approved employers.
READ MORE: UK Visa Rules Change: New Restrictions for International Students
How is the Care Sector Reacting?
Providers are raising alarm bells:
- Warning of acute staff shortages
- Predicting that smaller nursing homes might struggle or collapse
- Expressing concerns that local recruitment alone may not meet demand
Industry associations argue that unless pay improves and working conditions are enhanced, the sector may face severe disruptions.
READ MORE: UK Rolls Out New Visa & Immigration Policy
What Are Alternatives Visa Options?
If you were planning to move to the UK as a care assistant, don’t lose hope. You still have several viable alternatives:
| Country | Visa Type | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Home Support Worker Pilot | Permanent residency path, family sponsorship, no LMIA needed for some roles |
| Germany | Pflegekraft Visa | German language required, care institutions as sponsors |
| Australia | Skilled Work Visa (Subclass 482/186) | Employer sponsorship; high demand in nursing and aged care |
| Sweden | Shortage Occupation Work Visa | Care roles are listed as in shortage; family-friendly schemes available |
| New Zealand | Accredited Employer Work Visa | Aged care jobs on Green List; leads to residency |
| Singapore | S Pass (Healthcare Sector) | For trained professionals; well-paid but no direct PR route |
| Ireland | General Employment Permit | Healthcare assistants eligible; PR after 5 years |
Though the UK has closed one door, countries like Canada, Germany, and Australia are actively seeking care professionals and offering clearer paths to residency. Whether you’re just starting or already based in the UK, explore your options early—you may find a better fit elsewhere.
