Visa sponsorship
Visa sponsorship for social care jobs: what's changed
The short version
Care worker and senior care worker visas can no longer be applied for from outside the UK — sponsorship for these roles is for people already in the UK.
Summarised from GOV.UK on 9 November 2026. This is general information, not immigration advice. For advice on your situation, use a regulated immigration adviser.
Applying from outside the UK
Care workers and senior care workers can no longer apply from outside the UK. Some other social care roles still can:
- Registered nurses (codes 2231–2237)
- Nursing auxiliaries and assistants (6131)
- Social workers (2461)
- Residential, day and domiciliary care managers (1232)
Codes are the UK occupation codes employers use on a certificate of sponsorship.
If you're already in the UK
These roles are only open to people who are extending, updating or switching to a Health and Care Worker visa from inside the UK:
- Care workers and home carers (6135)
- Senior care workers (6136)
If you're switching from a different visa, you must have been working legally in the job for your sponsor for at least 3 months.
Switching to this visa on GOV.UKWhat a sponsoring employer needs
- A sponsor licence from the Home Office (approved employers are on the public register).
- For care worker and senior care worker roles in England, registration with the Care Quality Commission.
- A job paying at least the required salary — usually £25,000 or the role's going rate, with different rules for some care roles.
Protect yourself
Be very wary of anyone who asks you to pay for a job offer or a certificate of sponsorship, or who promises a visa in return for a fee. Check the employer is on the register of licensed sponsors, and only take advice from a regulated immigration adviser.
Using our visa sponsorship filter
The “Visa sponsorship” filter shows adverts that mention sponsorship. It doesn't mean the role or your situation is eligible — check GOV.UK and ask the employer.