Skilled Worker · 7 min read
UK Health and Care Worker Visa Closing: What It Means and Who Is Affected
The Health and Care Worker visa is closing to new overseas care workers. What is closing, who is affected, who can still switch in-country, and what alternatives exist.
The Health and Care Worker visa closed to overseas care workers and senior care workers from 22 July 2025. This is one of the most disruptive changes in recent UK immigration policy — affecting thousands of workers and the social care sector. This guide explains who is affected, who is not, and what the options are.
Eligibility: who can still use the route?
| Worker type | New from overseas? | Already in UK? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurses (RGN, RMN, etc.) | Yes — unaffected | Yes — unaffected | SOC 2231 |
| Doctors and medical practitioners | Yes — unaffected | Yes — unaffected | SOC 2211–2215 |
| Allied health professionals (physiotherapists, radiographers, etc.) | Yes — unaffected | Yes — unaffected | Various SOC codes |
| Care workers and home carers (SOC 6145) | No — route closed | Yes — until 22 July 2028 | In-country only until 2028 |
| Senior care workers (SOC 6146) | No — route closed | Yes — until 22 July 2028 | In-country only until 2028 |
What 'already in the UK' means
If you are already in the UK on a Health and Care Worker visa as a care worker or senior care worker, you can continue to extend your visa in-country until 22 July 2028. After that date, even in-country extensions for these roles will not be possible on the Health and Care Worker route.
Care workers and senior care workers already in the UK should use the transition period to plan their longer-term immigration status. Options include switching to a different route, applying for ILR if eligible, or returning home before their visa expires.
Why the route closed
The government cited evidence of widespread abuse of the care worker route, including workers who arrived and either found their jobs did not exist or were placed in non-qualifying roles. The Mac also found that overseas recruitment was suppressing wages in the sector and reducing incentives to improve pay and conditions for domestic workers.
Options for care worker employers
Care providers can no longer sponsor new overseas care workers. They should be planning recruitment from the domestic labour market. Care providers who have sponsored workers currently in the UK can continue to do so until 22 July 2028, but should plan for the transition.
What has not changed
The Health and Care Worker visa remains open and fully functional for clinical and professional roles. Doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and other RQF Level 6+ healthcare roles are not affected by the closure. The significant cost advantages of the Health and Care Worker route — reduced application fees and IHS exemption — remain in place for eligible clinical workers.
Last verified: May 2026. Closure dates: 22 July 2025 (new overseas applications) and 22 July 2028 (in-country extensions for affected roles). Verify on GOV.UK before making any application decisions.
VisaVault is a document preparation service, not an immigration adviser or solicitor. This article is based on current UKVI published guidance and is intended for general information only. Requirements change without notice. Always verify current requirements on GOV.UK before submitting your application.