Published in: Advice

New Immigration Rules Prioritise Care Workers Already in England

Author James Hume

Published on: 16 April 2025

On 12 March 2025, the UK Government introduced new immigration rules that significantly impact the way care providers recruit international workers. Effective from 9 April 2025, the updated legislation requires care providers in England to prioritise the recruitment of international care workers who are already residing in the UK and are in need of new sponsorship, before seeking new applicants from overseas.

This shift forms a core part of the government’s broader ‘Plan for Change’ initiative, which aims to restore balance within the UK’s immigration system by linking it more effectively with the domestic labour market and skills development agenda.

Why the Change?

The care sector has become increasingly dependent on overseas recruitment in recent years, with tens of thousands of international workers supporting vulnerable adults across the country. However, with concerns rising over exploitation, unsustainable debt burdens, and systemic abuse of visa routes, the government is taking action to both protect existing workers and reduce overall migration levels.

This policy shift ensures that individuals who have already arrived in the UK with the intention of building a career in adult social care are given the opportunity to continue their work, especially in cases where their previous sponsors have lost their licence.

Between July 2022 and December 2024, over 470 sponsor licences in the care sector were revoked due to non-compliance, impacting more than 39,000 international care workers. The new requirement aims to support these individuals by ensuring care providers actively seek them out before turning to new international recruitment efforts.

Key Points of the New Immigration Rules

Priority Recruitment: Employers must demonstrate attempts to recruit international care workers already in the UK and in need of new sponsorship before recruiting new overseas applicants.
Minimum Salary Thresholds Updated: Skilled Worker visa roles, including care workers, must now pay a minimum hourly rate of £12.82, reflecting the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Increased Protection Against Exploitation: Employers who exploit visa rules or charge workers unlawful fees will be barred from future international recruitment. Charging workers for sponsorship—already a prohibited practice—will be more strictly enforced.
Expanded Powers Against Visa Abuse: Tougher scrutiny is being introduced to prevent misuse of the Short-Term Student route and other immigration pathways, particularly when applicants lack genuine intent to study or leave the UK upon course completion.
Sector-Specific Salary Adjustments: Healthcare and education roles such as doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and teachers will see minimum salary thresholds aligned with current national pay scales.

Government Statements

Seema Malhotra MP, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, emphasised the importance of supporting existing care workers, stating:

“We are now going further, requiring employers in England to prioritise recruiting international care workers who are already here and seeking new sponsorship, before recruiting from overseas.”

Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of State for Care, added:

“Prioritising care workers who are already in the UK will get people back to work, reducing our reliance on international recruitment and making sure our social care sector has the care professionals it needs.”

What Does This Mean for Care Providers?

Care providers must now reassess their recruitment strategies and adapt quickly to remain compliant. Organisations will need to:

Ensure recruitment teams are aware of the new prioritisation rule.
Keep thorough records of all recruitment activity, particularly attempts to engage eligible care workers already residing in the UK.
Ensure salary offers align with the new Skilled Worker visa threshold.
Avoid any activity that could be deemed exploitative or non-compliant with sponsorship regulations.