The UK care worker visa route: why it closed and what the rules are now

The care worker route is closed to new overseas applicants

Since 22 July 2025, employers can no longer sponsor care workers (occupation code 6135) or senior care workers (occupation code 6136) who are applying for entry clearance from outside the UK. In other words, you cannot be sponsored as a care worker or senior care worker on a visa application made from abroad. This is a factual change to the Immigration Rules, not a Skilled Route UK policy. Always confirm the current position on GOV.UK.

Transitional rules for people already in the UK

There are transitional arrangements for people who are already in the UK. A worker already in the UK may, until 22 July 2028, be sponsored in these care occupations or extend their stay, provided they already work for the sponsoring employer and meet the conditions set out in the rules — including a qualifying period on the employer's payroll. Workers sponsored under codes 6135 and 6136 also cannot bring dependants. The exact conditions and dates are set by the Home Office, so check the current GOV.UK guidance for your situation.

Which health occupations remain eligible

The closure applies specifically to the care worker and senior care worker occupation codes. Other health and care occupations remain eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker routes — for example registered nurses, who register with the NMC. Listing which occupations are eligible is not the same as saying any particular person qualifies for them: eligibility depends entirely on your profession, qualifications and an actual job offer from a licensed sponsor. Check the GOV.UK eligible-occupations list and your own circumstances.

Be careful of out-of-date or misleading information

Because this route changed recently, a lot of information online is out of date or misleading, and some bad actors charge fees for care sponsorship that cannot lawfully be provided. Never pay a fee for visa sponsorship. For roles that genuinely are sponsorable, you can use our free sponsor licence checker to verify an employer against the Home Office register, and browse the live sponsored roles on our board. This page is general information, not immigration advice — always rely on the current GOV.UK guidance.