On 22 July 2025 the Home Office closed Skilled Worker entry clearance applications for care workers and senior care workers. This guide sets out what the current guidance says, for employers in adult social care. It uses Sponsor a Skilled Worker (version 04/26, valid from 8 April 2026) and the explanatory memorandum to the Statement of Changes HC 997, which brought the change in.
It explains the published rules. It does not say whether any worker or job meets them. Rules in this area are under review, so check GOV.UK before acting, and speak to a regulated adviser about your circumstances.
Which jobs this covers
The changes apply to two occupation codes (SK4.27):
- 6135, care workers and home carers
- 6136, senior care workers
The role check shows the published notes for any occupation code.
What changed on 22 July 2025
The explanatory memorandum to HC 997 says the changes "close entry clearance applications for Skilled Workers sponsored in these occupation codes". It says they took effect on 22 July 2025.
Sponsor a Skilled Worker puts it this way. From 22 July 2025, to sponsor a worker under 6135 or 6136, the worker must already be in the UK and applying for permission to stay (SK4.31). You can no longer sponsor a worker in these codes who will apply for entry clearance from outside the UK (SK4.33).
The memorandum gives the reason as well-known concerns about care visa holders. Some were left without work when employers over-estimated demand or lost their licences. There were also significant concerns about abuse and exploitation. The guidance says the extra requirements follow "evidence of significant non-compliance by care providers" (SK4.29).
Who can still be sponsored: the two routes in
Under SK4.32, the worker must also meet one of two conditions.
Condition 1: already working for you for 3 months. The worker has been legally working for you as a care worker or senior care worker for at least 3 months before you assign the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), with permission that allowed that work. This is a transitional provision. The worker's application for permission to stay must be made no later than 22 July 2028, when the provision ends. The guidance says the date is kept under review (SK4.34).
You must keep evidence of the 3 months, such as payslips or a contract (SK4.35).
Condition 2: last sponsored as a care worker. The worker was last granted Skilled Worker permission in 6135 or 6136, or the older codes 6145 or 6146, and has held continuous permission since (SK4.32 and SK4.37). They can apply to stay with the same sponsor or move to a new one. A new sponsor should ask to see evidence of their previous care work for another Skilled Worker sponsor (SK4.36).
The memorandum adds that, at 22 July 2028, these occupations will be removed from the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List. The guidance also notes that while other entries on those lists are due to go by the end of 2026, care workers have separate arrangements (SK4.13).
The regulation requirement in England
A second requirement applies where the job's working location includes any part of England (SK4.40). The sponsor must (SK4.41):
- currently carry on a "regulated activity", and
- hold "active" registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
If it does not, the worker's application will be refused and any CoS request rejected (SK4.43). A licence application made to sponsor these occupations will be refused if the requirement is not met (SK2.7 and SK4.43).
SK4.44 sets out a narrow exception for some workers first sponsored in 6145 or 6146 before 11 March 2024 and sponsored by you since. Even then, the sponsor must hold any registration it legally needs. If it stops holding it, the Home Office will revoke the licence (SK4.45).
For jobs in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, the sponsor must confirm whether it carries on regulated or equivalent activities there and its registration with the relevant regulator (SK2.10 and SK4.48).
What goes on the certificate
When you assign or request a CoS under 6135 or 6136, you must include (SK4.46 and SK4.49):
- the working location or locations
- your CQC registration number, if any location is in England, or the reason you have none
- a statement of how the worker meets the immigration status requirement
You can put this in the job description field or a sponsor note (SK4.50). Missing information can lead to rejection or refusal (SK4.51).
Salary
The care worker roles have their own salary requirements, which differ for the Health and Care visa and the standard Skilled Worker visa (SK4.38 and SK4.39). GOV.UK publishes the current figures in Sponsor a Skilled Worker.
The displaced worker pool
Between 9 April 2025 and 21 July 2025, sponsors had to try to recruit from the pool of displaced care workers first (Appendix D, section 2.2(c)). That "care worker recruitment requirement" has been removed (SK4.52). The guidance says this is because the only workers now eligible were exempt from it anyway.
Sponsors may still consider workers from the pool by contacting their regional care partnership (SK4.53). For roles assigned during that window, Appendix D still asks sponsors to be able to show they tried the pool.
Duties do not change
All the usual sponsor duties apply to care providers, including reporting, records and right to work checks. See the printable sponsor compliance checklist.
Common questions
Can we still recruit care workers from overseas?
Not on the Skilled Worker route in codes 6135 or 6136. Since 22 July 2025 the worker must already be in the UK and applying for permission to stay (SK4.31 and SK4.33).
What is the 22 July 2028 date?
It is the last date for an application under the 3-month transitional provision (SK4.34). The memorandum says these occupations will then be removed from the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List. The guidance says the date is kept under review.
Do we still need CQC registration?
For jobs with a working location in England, the regulation requirement applies (SK4.40 and SK4.41), subject to the narrow exception in SK4.44.
Can we talk to someone about our situation?
You can tell us about your situation. We do not assess cases or help with forms.