The social care sector is currently the largest source of international recruitment in the United Kingdom. Because of severe domestic staff shortages, thousands of care homes, nursing homes, and home care agencies actively offer UK care worker visa sponsorship. Sponsoring workers under the Health and Care Worker visa has become essential for care providers to maintain safe staffing levels.
In this guide, we will explain how the care worker visa sponsorship system works, detail the eligibility and salary requirements, and show you exactly how to find licensed care homes actively recruiting international candidates.
Understanding the Health and Care Worker Visa
Care assistants, senior care workers, and nursing home staff are sponsored under the Health and Care Worker Visa. This is a specialized sub-category of the Skilled Worker visa that offers significant benefits:
- No Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): Candidates and their families are completely exempt from the IHS, which otherwise costs £1,035 per year per person. For a 3-year visa, this saves a single applicant over £3,000.
- Reduced Visa Fees: Visa application fees are much lower than standard Skilled Worker fees, typically costing between £284 and £551 depending on the duration of the visa.
- Fast-Track Processing: Applications are processed as a priority, with most decisions made within 3 weeks of submitting biometrics.
- Settlement Pathway: Sponsoring on this route provides a direct path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years of continuous residence in the UK.
Eligibility and Salary Rules for Care Workers in 2026
To secure a Health and Care Worker visa as a care assistant or senior care worker, you must meet the following Home Office rules:
- Approved Sponsor: The employer must hold an active sponsor licence. Note that starting in March 2024, the Home Office introduced a rule stating that **only care providers registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)** can sponsor care workers in England. This is a critical rule to prevent unauthorized recruitment.
- Eligible SOC Code: Most care worker roles fall under SOC code 6145 (Care Workers and Home Carers) or SOC code 6146 (Senior Care Workers).
- Salary Threshold: The minimum salary for care worker roles is £23,200 per year (or £11.90 per hour), whichever is higher. For senior care workers, the minimum is £25,500 per year.
- English Language: You must prove your English language proficiency at CEFR Level B1 or above (typically by passing a Secure English Language Test like IELTS Life Skills B1, or holding a degree taught in English).
- Dependant Restrictions: Under rules introduced in March 2024, **newly sponsored care workers (SOC 6145) and senior care workers (SOC 6146) cannot bring dependants** (partners and children) to the UK on their visa. This is an important consideration when planning your relocation.
For more details on visa requirements, check our guide on Visa Routes Explained.
How to Find Care Homes Offering Sponsorship
Finding care homes that actively sponsor work visas is straightforward if you use the right resources:
1. Use Our Live Search Tools
Do not download massive, unformatted PDFs from GOV.UK. Instead, use our:
- Live Sponsor Directory: Search and filter over 3,400 care homes and social care providers on the register.
- Sponsor Licence Checker: Instantly verify if a specific care home holds an active, A-rated licence.
2. Focus on CQC-Registered Care Homes
Since English care sponsors must be CQC-registered, cross-reference your list of prospects with the official Care Quality Commission database at cqc.org.uk. Sponsoring care homes will have active CQC inspection profiles, which also helps verify their legitimacy.
3. Review Newly Licensed Care Providers
Keep a close eye on our Recent Changes Page. Care homes that have just been added to the register are highly likely to have immediate vacancies they need to fill through international recruitment.
How to Apply for Care Worker Sponsorship
To maximize your chances of getting hired:
- Prepare your B1 English Test: Take your English test early. Having your B1 certificate ready makes you highly attractive to employers because it speeds up the hiring process.
- Get a TB Test: If you reside in a country where tuberculosis testing is required for UK visas, obtain your clearance certificate.
- Create a tailored CV: Focus on your care experience, empathy, and practical skills. Download optimized CV templates from our Free Resources Page.
- Apply directly: Check vacancy listings on NHS Jobs, Indeed UK, and the career pages of large care providers (e.g. Barchester Healthcare, HC-One, Care UK).
Scam Prevention: Protect Yourself
The care sector has unfortunately seen rise in visa scams. Protect yourself by remembering these rules:
- Never pay for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Sponsoring employers must cover all licensing and CoS fees. Charging a candidate for a CoS is illegal.
- Verify the employer: Check the company on Companies House, the CQC database, and our sponsor checker. If they don’t appear, do not engage.
- Beware of agents: Legitimate recruiters never guarantee visas or charge upfront fees.
Read our full guide on Avoiding Fake Sponsorship Offers for more safety tips.