Policy Update · 3 min read
UK Health and Care Visa 2026: Care Worker Sponsorship Closed, What Options Are Left
The UK stopped issuing new sponsorship for care workers in July 2025. If you work in healthcare or social care, here is what you can still do.
What Changed for Care Workers
Since 22 July 2025, the UK no longer issues new sponsor licences for care worker roles. If you were hoping to come to the UK as a care assistant, support worker, or home carer through visa sponsorship, that door has closed for new applicants.
This is one of the most significant immigration changes in recent years. Care work was one of the top routes for international workers coming to the UK, with tens of thousands of visas issued annually.
Who Is Still Eligible?
If you already hold a Health and Care Worker visa sponsored before 22 July 2025, you are protected by transitional arrangements:
- You can extend your visa until 22 July 2028
- You can switch employers within the care sector until that date
- Your existing dependants can remain in the UK
However, new applicants for below-degree-level care roles cannot get sponsorship anymore.
What About Nursing and Other Healthcare Roles?
Registered nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, and other degree-level healthcare professionals are still fully eligible for the Health and Care Visa. The closure only affects roles classified below RQF Level 6.
That said, nursing auxiliaries and assistants (SOC code 6131) will lose eligibility after December 2026 when the Immigration Salary List expires.
The Dependant Restriction
For new applicants in below-degree-level health and care roles (where applications were still possible before the closure), dependants are no longer permitted. This means your spouse, partner, or children cannot join you in the UK on this visa route.
This restriction does not apply to registered nurses, doctors, and other degree-level healthcare professionals.
Cost Changes in 2026
Even for those still eligible, costs have gone up significantly:
| Fee | Amount | |---|---| | Certificate of Sponsorship | £525 (was £239) | | Immigration Skills Charge | £1,320/year (up 32%) | | Visa application fee | Increased 7% across all categories | | IHS | £624/year (discounted rate for health workers) |
What Are the Alternatives?
If you were planning to work in care in the UK, there are limited options:
- Qualify as a registered nurse or healthcare professional. Degree-level roles are still sponsored. If you can upskill or get your qualifications recognised by UK bodies like the NMC, this is the strongest path.
- Look at the Temporary Shortage List. The government is creating a new list focused on sub-degree roles. Details are still emerging, but some care-adjacent roles might appear.
- Consider other visa routes. The Youth Mobility Scheme (if your country is eligible), the Scale-Up visa, or the Global Talent visa might work depending on your situation.
The English Language Change
From 8 January 2026, the English requirement for all Skilled Worker and Health and Care visa applications went up from B1 to B2. This is roughly the difference between intermediate and upper-intermediate English.
For IELTS, you now need a minimum of 5.5 in each component (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). Previously, 4.0 in each with an overall 4.0 was enough.
Looking Ahead
The care sector in the UK is facing a staffing crisis. There are real questions about whether closing this visa route will push the government to reopen it in some form. But for now, the policy is clear: new care worker sponsorship is not available.
If you are already in the UK on a Health and Care visa, use the transitional period wisely. Make sure your employer maintains their sponsor licence, and start planning for what comes after July 2028.