Last updated: 11 August 2026
Find Licensed Care Sponsors With Less Risk
Use the care-specific paths below to check employers, compare regions, and avoid fake sponsorship offers.
How Many Care Companies Have a Sponsorship Licence in the UK?
As of August 2026, there are over 10,945 care companies with active sponsorship licences in the UK. This includes:
- Residential care homes — Providing 24/7 accommodation and personal care for elderly, disabled, or vulnerable adults.
- Nursing homes — Care homes with registered nurses on-site for residents requiring medical nursing care.
- Home care providers — Domiciliary care companies that send care workers to clients' homes.
- Supported living services — Organisations providing housing and support for people with learning disabilities or mental health needs.
- Children's care providers — Residential children's homes and fostering agencies that hold sponsor licences.
The care sector is one of the fastest-growing areas for visa sponsorship in the UK, driven by ongoing staff shortages and the UK government's Health and Care Worker visa route which offers reduced fees and faster processing times.
Care Companies with Sponsorship Licence by Region
Care companies with sponsorship licences operate across every region of the UK. Here are the key areas with the most licensed care sponsors:
England
- London — Largest concentration of care sponsors
- Birmingham — Major care sector hub
- Manchester — Growing care sector
- Leeds — Strong domiciliary care presence
- Bristol — Active care sponsor market
Scotland, Wales & NI
- Glasgow — Scotland's care capital
- Edinburgh — Growing care need
- Cardiff — Wales care hub
- Belfast — Northern Ireland care sector
- Scotland Guide — Dedicated Scotland care guide
Download: List of Care Companies with Sponsorship Licence UK PDF
Get our free downloadable guide containing the top care companies with active sponsorship licences, organised by region. Perfect for offline job applications.
Types of Care Companies That Sponsor Visas
The care sector encompasses a wide variety of employers. Here's what each type offers for sponsored workers:
Residential Care Homes
The most common type of care sponsor. Care homes provide accommodation and daily personal care. Typical sponsored roles: Senior Care Worker, Care Assistant, Deputy Manager.
Nursing Homes
Care homes with registered nurses on-site. Typically sponsor Registered Nurses (RGN/RMN), Nursing Assistants, and Clinical Leads.
Home Care / Domiciliary Care
Companies that send care workers to people's homes. Growing sector with high demand. Typical roles: Domiciliary Care Worker, Live-in Carer, Home Care Manager.
Supported Living
Providers supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, or mental health conditions in their own homes. Roles: Support Worker, Team Leader, Service Manager.
Health and Care Worker Visa Requirements
Care workers applying to work in the UK are eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa, which offers significant benefits over the standard Skilled Worker visa:
- Reduced application fees — The visa fee is lower than the standard Skilled Worker visa.
- No Immigration Health Surcharge — You don't pay the annual NHS surcharge (saving £1,035/year).
- Faster processing — Applications are typically processed faster than standard routes.
- Minimum salary: £23,200 — Or the going rate for the role, whichever is higher. For senior care workers (SOC 6135), the going rate is £23,200.
- Eligible roles — Care worker (SOC 6135), Senior care worker (SOC 6135), Registered nurse (SOC 2231), Nursing auxiliary (SOC 6141).
For full eligibility details, see our Skilled Worker visa eligibility and salary guide.
How to Check if a Care Company Has a Sponsorship Licence
Before applying to any care company, always verify they hold an active sponsor licence:
- Use our checker — Enter the company name in our sponsor licence checker for instant verification.
- Check the rating — Look for an A-rating. B-rated sponsors may not be able to issue new Certificates of Sponsorship.
- Verify the visa route — Ensure the company is licensed for the Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker route — not just Temporary Worker.
- Beware of scams — Never pay a company to sponsor you. Legitimate sponsors will never ask for payment. Read our guide to avoiding sponsorship scams.
Salary Expectations for Sponsored Care Workers
Salaries for sponsored care workers in the UK vary by role, location, and employer:
| Role | SOC Code | Typical Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Care Worker / Senior Care Worker | 6135 | £23,200 – £26,500 |
| Registered Nurse (RGN/RMN) | 2231 | £28,407 – £38,000 |
| Nursing Auxiliary / Assistant | 6141 | £23,200 – £25,000 |
| Care Home Manager | 1242 | £32,000 – £45,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many care companies in the UK have a sponsorship licence?
There are currently over 10,945 care companies with active sponsorship licences in the UK, including residential care homes, nursing homes, home care providers, and supported living services.
Can care workers get visa sponsorship in the UK?
Yes. Care workers are eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa, which offers reduced fees and no Immigration Health Surcharge. The minimum salary is £23,200 for the SOC code 6135 (senior care worker) role.
Where can I download a PDF list of care companies with sponsorship licences?
You can download our free PDF guide using the form above. It contains the top care companies with sponsorship licences by region. Alternatively, you can download the complete Register of Licensed Sponsors as a CSV from GOV.UK.