Are you a nurse or social health worker? Have you been searching for care jobs with sponsorships in the UK? If yes, then you are in the right place.
In the post-Brexit era, the demand for skilled professionals in the UK’s health and social care sector has never been higher. For qualified international applicants, securing a role with visa sponsorship remains a top priority. However, the path has recently been redefined by major UK government policy changes concerning salary thresholds and eligible roles, specifically impacting Care Assistants and Home carers.
This guide provides the essential, up-to-date eligibility requirements, salary criteria, and the step-by-step process for securing a sponsored care role in 2025. Whether you are a Registered Nurse or an experienced Social Worker, understanding the Health and Care Worker Visa (H&CWV) is the key to achieving your career goals in the UK.
Understanding the Health and Care Wor
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ker Visa (H&CWV)
The Health and Care Worker Visa (H&CWV) is a specific, government-backed sub-category of the main Skilled Worker Visa route designed to fast-track entry for essential workers.
Primary Benefits of the H&CWV
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Exemption: Unlike other work visas, the H&CWV applicant and their dependents are exempt from paying the costly annual IHS (which can save thousands of pounds).
- Fast-Track Processing: Applications are often prioritized, leading to quicker decision times.
- Path to Settlement: After five years on the H&CWV, applicants may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or permanent residency.
Essential Requirement: The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
To apply for the visa, you must first have a valid job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number from a UK employer who holds a Home Office sponsorship license. This CoS proves the job meets the visa requirements.
Eligible Care Roles & The Critical Skill/Salary Changes (Crucial Updates)
The UK government continually adjusts its immigration policy to balance labor needs with reducing migration numbers. This has led to critical changes regarding which care roles are eligible for new sponsorship applications in 2025.
Focus on Professional Roles (Still Fully Eligible)
The door remains wide open for roles classified as RQF Level 6 (graduate-level) or higher, which includes most clinical professions. These roles are consistently in high demand and offer the strongest pathway for sponsorship:
| Eligible Professional Role | Standard Occupation Code (SOC) | Registration Required |
| Registered Nurses | 2231 / 2232 / 2233 | Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) |
| Social Workers | 2461 | Social Work England (SWE) |
| Midwives | 2231 | Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) |
| Paramedics | 2255 | Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) |
| Specialist Doctors | 2211 / 2212 | General Medical Council (GMC) |
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The Care Assistant/Home Career Note: The Major Change
As of recent changes (circa mid-2024 to early-2025), roles under the SOC codes 6135 (Care Workers and Home Careers) and 6136 (Senior Care Workers) are generally no longer eligible for new visa applications under the Health and Care Worker route.
- Impact: If you are applying from overseas and do not have a pre-existing visa, you must now seek out roles in the fully eligible, higher-skilled categories listed above.
- Exception: This change typically does not affect individuals who already hold the H&CWV under these codes and are applying for an extension under transitional rules.
Salary Thresholds You Must Meet
To qualify, the sponsored salary must meet the higher of the following two figures:
- The General Salary Threshold: The base minimum salary set by the Home Office for the Skilled Worker route.
- The ‘Going Rate’: The minimum rate set by the government for your specific job’s SOC code.
Note: For Registered Nurses and other national pay scale workers, the salary must meet the national pay scale minimum.
Step-by-Step Guide to Securing Care Jobs with Sponsorships in the UK
A successful application requires precision and thorough preparation, especially given the current restrictions.
Step 1: Meet the Visa & English Requirements
- English Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate an ability to read, write, speak, and understand English to at least CEFR level B1. This is usually proven by passing an approved test (such as UKVI IELTS) unless you have a degree taught in English from an officially recognized university.
- Professional Registration: Ensure you have started, or completed, the necessary registration with the relevant UK professional body (NMC for Nurses, HCPC for Paramedics, etc.).
Step 2: Identify and Research Licensed Sponsors
Stop searching generic job boards. Focus your efforts on employers legally permitted to hire you:
- Official Resource: Use the UK Government Register of Licensed Sponsors to find companies authorized to issue CoS.
- Sector Focus: Search the websites of large NHS Trusts, national private hospital groups, and large care home chains, as these employers frequently hold licenses.
- Targeting: Search specifically for job titles that match the fully eligible SOC codes (e.g., “Registered Nurse sponsorship”).
Step 3: Crafting a UK-Optimized Application
Your application package must leave no doubt that you meet the criteria for the highly-skilled roles that are now the primary focus for sponsorship.
- CV Tailoring: Your CV must be a detailed, clinical document that clearly aligns your experience with the duties listed for the specific SOC code you are targeting.
- Cover Letter: Clearly and professionally state that you require visa sponsorship and confirm that you meet the English language and professional registration requirements.
Step 4: The Visa Application Process
Once you have received a formal job offer:
- Receive Your CoS: Your employer will issue your unique Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number.
- Online Application: Complete the online H&CWV application form using your CoS number.
- Document Submission: Gather your passport, criminal record certificate(s), TB test results (if applicable), and proof of English proficiency.
- Biometrics: Attend a visa application center to provide your fingerprints and photograph.
FAQs on Care Sponsorship in the UK
| Question | Answer |
| Q: Can Care Assistants still get sponsorship? | No, not for new applicants from overseas. The job code for Care Worker (SOC 6135) is generally ineligible for new H&CWV applications as of 2025. Focus on higher-skilled roles (Nurses, Specialists). |
| Q: What is the minimum salary for a sponsored Nurse? | It must meet the national pay scale for the role, which often exceeds the general visa salary threshold. |
| Q: Can I bring dependents on the H&CWV? | Yes, your spouse/partner and children under 18 can apply to join you as dependents. They are also exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. |
| Q: Do I need a criminal record certificate? | Yes. For nearly all health and social care roles, you must provide a police certificate from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. |
Conclusion: Your Path to a UK Care Career
While the path for certain entry-level roles has narrowed, the UK’s demand for qualified, compassionate health professionals remains consistently high. Securing a sponsored care job in 2025 requires a strategic, targeted approach focused on meeting the strict requirements for the fully eligible roles like Registered Nurse and Social Worker.
Begin your journey today by confirming your professional registration status and focusing your job search exclusively on licensed UK sponsors offering high-skilled positions.
Ready to start your sponsored job search?