The UK Government issued their immigration white paper 2025 on Monday 12 May titled ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System’. This is a public document published by the government which sets out their policy intentions and plans for future changes to the current immigration rules and regimes in the UK, with a view to reducing net migration. These changes have not yet come into effect.
The main headline from this document is that Overseas Recruitment for Social Care Roles is to be closed.
From 2028, the Health and Care Worker visa will no longer be available for frontline social care workers. This means that employers in the care sector will no longer be able to recruit new care workers from abroad.
Care workers already sponsored and in the UK under this visa may continue working and can apply to extend their stay or switch to another visa. Transitional arrangements will remain in place until 2028. These time scales are proposed to allow the Government to produce a long-term workforce strategy.
Its not too late…
Its not too late to future proof your workforce.
As a care provider you can still apply for a sponsor licence and avail yourself of skilled carer from the displaced worker scheme and workers from abroad if there is no one suitable already in the UK. You can continue to employ care staff that are already on the route once the route closes in 2028.
The displaced worker scheme aims to place skilled carers who have lost their sponsorship due to the revocation of their employers licence with new reputable care providers.
There is a wealth of foreign national talent in the care sector that you can continue to access with the appropriate licence.
For help to secure your licence you can contact OTB Legal on 0330 111 6682 or via email at [email protected]. Alternatively, visit our site for more information – www.otb.legal/
