UK Immigration Policy Update - 2025
Essential guidance for care sector employers with sponsor licences
Closure of the Health & Care Worker Visa Route (April 2025)
- • Sponsorship of care assistants, domiciliary carers, and similar roles is no longer permitted.
- • Employers must show robust domestic recruitment efforts before hiring overseas.
✔ Do not issue CoS for ineligible roles.
✔ Seek legal advice before sponsoring new applicants.
Skilled Worker Salary Threshold Increased to £38,700
Most care roles fall below this threshold. Review all job offers before issuing a CoS.
✔ Review all job offers
✔ Ensure salary meets new criteria
Settlement Timeline Extended to 10 Years
Sponsored workers now need 10 years (up from 5) to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
This has major implications for long-term workforce planning.
Higher Immigration Fees & Stricter Compliance
- • Visa fees
- • Immigration Skills Charge (+32%)
- • Immigration Health Surcharge
✔ Ensure HR systems and CoS logs are fully up to date
✔ Prepare for increased audits by the Home Office
Major Changes Effective 22 July 2025
🔹 Graduate-Level Role Requirement
Skilled Worker roles must now be at RQF Level 6+ (degree-level). Mid-skilled roles (RQF 3–5) will be removed.
🔹 New Salary Threshold: £41,700
Applies across Skilled Worker and related visa categories (separate rates for PhD/STEM roles).
🔹 Sponsorship Ends for New Overseas Care Workers
From 22 July 2025, only in-country applicants with 3+ months UK experience may be sponsored for care roles.
Transitional rule valid until 22 July 2028
🔹 Temporary Shortage List (TSL)
Applies to RQF Level 3–5 roles in specific sectors. No dependants allowed except in special cases.
🔹 Immigration Salary List (ISL) Expanded
No dependants permitted for first-time applicants under ISL from 22 July 2025.
Immediate Actions for HCPA Sponsors
- ✔ Review pending sponsorships - issue CoS by 21 July 2025 if possible
- ✔ Audit internal HR systems and compliance documents
- ✔ Reassess recruitment strategies for eligibility and sustainability
- ✔ Seek legal guidance for transitional or complex applicants
- ✔ Prioritise domestic recruitment and upskilling programs
👥 Need Support?
We offer expert consultations for sponsor licence holders, HR teams, and care providers.
- ✔ 1:1 Legal Consultations
- ✔ Sector-Specific Guidance
- ✔ Compliance Checklists
- ✔ Custom Briefings for HR & Ops Teams