People will no longer be able to come to the UK as care workers and senior care workers (occupation codes 6135 and 6136) as these roles are closed to entry clearance applications from 22 July 2025. The explanatory memorandum states that:
The changes also provide for in-country applications, for those switching from other visa routes, to continue for a transition period until 22 July 2028, at which point these occupations will be removed from the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List. Workers must have been legally working for the provider that is sponsoring them for at least 3 months before the date their certificate of sponsorship was issued to them by their sponsor. This requirement supports continuity of employment, and provides assurance that workers are suitable to be sponsored to work in the sector, and that sponsors and workers have been in an employer-employee relationship for a reasonable period of time, allowing both parties to demonstrate compliance with basic employment law (including National Minimum Wage regulations) and mitigate risks relating to potential exploitation.
The ability for people to switch into this roles in country will be kept under review. As there will be no more entry clearance applications, the requirement for sponsors to try to recruit from the existing pool of skilled workers in need of a new sponsor before sponsoring someone from overseas is being removed.
