New overseas care-worker recruitment has ended

From 22 July 2025, new Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker entry-clearance applications are not permitted for care workers and home carers (SOC 6135) or senior care workers (SOC 6136). A limited in-country transition is available until 22 July 2028 where the worker and sponsor meet the specified conditions.

This restriction is occupation-specific. Other eligible health professionals may still apply from overseas under the Health and Care Worker route if they meet their occupation, employer, salary and route requirements.

How to Find Licensed Care Homes

A register entry shows licence presence, not a care-home classification, current vacancy or promise to sponsor. Verify the exact legal organisation using the licence checker, confirm that an England-based provider is undertaking a regulated activity and registered with the CQC, and ask whether the vacancy falls within the limited in-country transition.

1. Search by Care Groups (Large Sponsors)

Large corporate care groups are the most consistent sponsors because they have the HR infrastructure to handle international recruitment at scale. Examples include:

  • Barchester Healthcare
  • HC-One
  • Care UK
  • Bupa Care Services

2. Search by Region

If you have a preference for where you want to live, you can search our database by city or region. For example, search for care homes in Birmingham, Manchester, or Edinburgh.

WARNING: Care Sector Scams

The care sector has seen a surge in fraudulent agencies charging workers exorbitant fees (£5,000 to £15,000) for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is illegal. Legitimate care homes will never ask you to pay for your job or your CoS. Always use our Sponsorship Checker to verify the agency is a real, licensed sponsor.

Key Roles Being Sponsored

The most commonly sponsored occupation codes in this sector are:

  • 6135: Care workers and home carers
  • 6136: Senior care workers
  • 2231: Nurses

How to Apply

Instead of using generic job boards, use our directory to find licensed care homes, visit their official websites, and apply directly through their careers portals. Ensure your CV highlights any relevant care experience, mandatory training (e.g., manual handling, safeguarding), and your English language proficiency.

  1. Check the employer is licensed. Search the company on FindMySponsor or the GOV.UK register. A CQC-registered provider is not the same as a Home Office-licensed sponsor — they must be on both lists.
  2. Verify the route. For care workers, the sponsor must hold a licence for the Health and Care Worker route specifically. Check this via our company pages or the raw GOV.UK register.
  3. Apply directly to the employer. Use the employer's official careers site. Never pay anyone for a job offer or a Certificate of Sponsorship.
  4. Get your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Once your employer assigns a CoS, you apply for the visa on GOV.UK. Read our CoS guide.

How to verify a care employer

Do not rely on a brand list or a company-name category. The Home Office register does not identify an organisation's industry and similarly named legal entities can have different licence positions.

  1. Ask the employer for the exact legal or trading name used on its sponsor licence.
  2. Enter that name in the sponsor licence checker.
  3. Confirm the recorded route, rating and source location against the job offer.
  4. Recheck the current GOV.UK register before relying on the result.

Register presence does not prove that an employer is recruiting, has a vacancy or can sponsor your particular care role.

Key GOV.UK resources for care workers

Reviewed 8 August 2026. Sources: GOV.UK sponsor guidance, Health and Care Worker visa, and CQC. Informational only, not legal advice.

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