UK to stop hiring care workers from abroad

The UK has introduced a set of new guidelines for the care sector. The government has announced that from 9 April 2025, employers in England must first attempt to hire care workers who are already in the country before recruiting from abroad. This measure, detailed by the Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care on 12 March 2025 is part of a broader plan designed to ease the pressure on the nation’s immigration system. It seeks to improve employment conditions in the care sector by ensuring that the opportunities available within the country are exhausted before turning to international recruitment. The rules come amid concerns over exploitation within the existing Health & Care Visa system and reflect the government’s determination to bring a measure of order to a system that has been under strain due to high legal migration figures and past abuses by some employers. 

How Will this Benefits Current Migrant Workers in the UK

These new rules are expected to benefit those already working in the care sector in the UK by providing them with more secure opportunities. By requiring employers to first recruit from the pool of international care workers who have already settled in England, the policy creates a pathway for existing workers to secure employment without facing the risks that have plagued earlier recruitment processes. Many of these individuals have experienced challenges such as unfair fees for sponsorship and uncertain work hours, conditions that have often led to financial strain and uncertainty. With the introduction of these guidelines, employers are compelled to prove that no suitable applicant is available domestically before looking overseas, which in turn should give these workers an enhanced chance to maintain their positions or move to better roles. The policy comes with an update to the minimum wage for care workers, setting it at a level that aligns with the most recent figures from the Office for National Statistics. This change is expected to lead to better pay and improved working conditions, ensuring that those who have contributed to the care system are rewarded with more stable and reliable employment.

Challenges for Overseas Applicants

The revised hiring policy may present several difficulties for individuals seeking opportunities from outside the United Kingdom. Under the new system, employers must first demonstrate that they have made sincere efforts to recruit from within England before considering candidates from abroad. This requirement could lead to a decrease in available positions for overseas applicants, as it adds an extra layer of administrative and practical hurdles for employers looking to hire new staff. For those who previously used the Health & Care Visa route to enter the country, this could mean facing longer waiting times or even being bypassed in favor of a domestic candidate. 

Some foreign care workers have already encountered problems such as being charged exorbitant fees for sponsorship documentation and being promised work that later did not materialize. This situation could lead to a notable decline in international applications at a time when the sector has traditionally depended on a diverse range of care workers.

Statistical Insights and Policy Numbers

According to the government release, between July 2022 and December 2024, over 470 sponsor licences were revoked in the care sector as part of the effort to clamp down on exploitation and abuse. More than 39,000 workers were associated with these sponsors since October 2020, highlighting the scale of the issue. In addition to these enforcement actions, the government has updated the minimum salary thresholds so that individuals employed on the Skilled Worker visa, including care professionals, now receive a minimum of £12.82 per hour. By tightening the oversight of sponsorship practices and raising wage standards, the policy can support existing workers and discourage practices that have led to financial hardship and employment instability in the past.

How will this Impact on Students of the Care Workforce

The policy changes will likely have a significant impact on students studying the care workforce, both in Britain and overseas. In the United Kingdom, those pursuing studies in social care and related fields will observe firsthand the effects of government intervention in employment practices. Meanwhile, students studying care workforce management in other countries may face challenges when attempting to migrate to the UK as care workers in the future. Over time, the policy is expected to influence not only immediate hiring practices but also broader migration and workforce trends.