England is home to thousands of care homes, and a large number of them hold active sponsor licences from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), allowing them to hire international workers on the Health and Care Worker visa. If you’re looking for care home visa sponsorship opportunities in England, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know — from finding licensed sponsors to understanding the application process.
The Care Worker Shortage in England
England’s social care sector has been facing a staffing crisis that shows no signs of easing. According to Skills for Care, the sector has tens of thousands of vacancies at any given time, with care worker roles being among the hardest to fill domestically. The reasons are multifaceted: the work is physically and emotionally demanding, historically low pay has discouraged UK-based candidates, and the aging population continues to drive increasing demand for care services.
This persistent shortage has led the UK Government to include care worker roles on the eligible occupations list for the Health and Care Worker visa, creating a direct pathway for international workers to fill these critical positions. For care homes in England, hiring international workers is no longer a last resort — it has become a core part of their recruitment strategy.
The result is a significant number of care homes across England holding sponsor licences and actively recruiting from overseas. Whether you’re in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, or elsewhere, there are genuine opportunities waiting for qualified and motivated care professionals.
Where to Find Care Homes in England with Visa Sponsorship
Care homes with active sponsor licences can be found across every region of England. However, the concentration and ease of securing sponsorship varies by area. Here’s a breakdown of the key regions:
London and the South East
As England’s most populated region, London and the South East have the highest absolute number of care home sponsors. However, competition for positions is also higher here, and the cost of living — particularly housing — is significantly above the national average. That said, many London-based care homes offer accommodation as part of the employment package, which can offset the higher costs. Boroughs like Croydon, Barnet, Enfield, and Havering have particularly active care sectors.
The Midlands
Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, and Derby form the heart of the Midlands care sector. This region offers a good balance of job opportunities and reasonable living costs. West Midlands in particular has seen significant growth in sponsor licence applications from care providers. The area benefits from good transport links and diverse communities that make settling in easier for international workers.
The North of England
Yorkshire, the North East, and the North West all have active care sectors with many licensed sponsors. Cities like Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, and Liverpool have substantial care home networks. The North typically offers the lowest living costs in England, meaning your salary goes further. Some care homes in remote northern areas like Cumbria and Northumberland offer particularly attractive packages because they struggle most to recruit domestically.
The South West and East of England
Bath, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Norfolk, and Suffolk all have care homes with visa sponsorship. These regions are known for their quality of life and scenic environments, though some areas may have fewer public transport options. Rural care homes in these regions often provide accommodation and may offer slightly higher pay to attract workers to less accessible locations.
Health and Care Worker Visa for Care Homes
The Health and Care Worker visa is the most common route used by care homes in England to sponsor international workers. It’s a sub-category of the Skilled Worker visa with several important advantages:
- No Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): This saves you approximately £1,035 per year. On a 3-year visa, that’s over £3,000 in savings compared to the standard Skilled Worker visa.
- Lower application fees: The visa application fee is reduced, typically £284 for up to 3 years, compared to £719 for a standard Skilled Worker visa.
- Priority processing: Health and Care Worker visa applications are often processed faster than standard Skilled Worker applications.
- Settlement pathway: After 5 years of continuous employment, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), giving you permanent UK residency.
- Dependants: You can bring your spouse/partner and children under 18 to join you in the UK.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Health and Care Worker visa for a care home role in England, you need to meet these criteria:
- Certificate of Sponsorship: A valid CoS issued by the care home from their sponsor management system.
- Salary threshold: A minimum annual salary of £23,200 or the going rate for the specific role, whichever is higher.
- Eligible SOC code: Your role must fall under an approved Standard Occupational Classification code. For care homes, the most common code is 6145 (Care Workers and Home Carers).
- English language: You must prove English language ability at CEFR Level B1 or above, through a Secure English Language Test (SELT) like IELTS Life Skills, or through a degree taught or researched in English.
- Financial requirement: You need at least £1,270 held in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days, unless your employer certifies maintenance on your CoS.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Sponsored by a Care Home in England
Follow this systematic process to maximise your chances of securing care home sponsorship:
- Prepare your qualifications: If you have existing care qualifications, research whether they are recognised in the UK. While many entry-level care assistant roles don’t require formal qualifications beyond basic education, having certificates in health and social care, first aid, or nursing will strengthen your application considerably.
- Take your English language test: Book and complete your IELTS Life Skills B1 test (or equivalent) as early as possible. Having results ready demonstrates seriousness to employers and speeds up the overall process.
- Search our sponsor directory: Filter by English cities and search for care-related terms. All companies listed have verified, active sponsor licences.
- Check licence status: Before applying, use our sponsor licence checker to confirm the company’s licence is active and A-rated. Our data is updated daily.
- Apply for roles: Apply through job boards (Indeed, Reed, TotalJobs, NHS Jobs), company websites, and ethical recruitment agencies. Tailor your CV to UK standards and clearly state your willingness to relocate.
- Interview and offer: Most initial interviews are conducted via video call. If successful, you’ll receive a formal job offer and the employer will begin the CoS process.
- Visa application: Once you receive your CoS reference number, apply for your Health and Care Worker visa online. Pay the visa fee, provide biometrics, and submit supporting documents.
- Arrive and start work: Upon visa approval, travel to the UK. Your employer should provide an induction covering workplace policies, care practices, and any necessary training.
Salary Expectations for Care Workers in England
Salaries vary by role, region, and employer. Here are approximate ranges as of 2026:
- Care Assistant: £23,200 – £25,500 per year
- Senior Care Worker: £24,500 – £28,000 per year
- Registered Nurse: £28,000 – £36,000 per year
- Deputy Manager: £30,000 – £38,000 per year
- Care Home Manager: £38,000 – £55,000+ per year
Many care homes also offer benefits including free or subsidised accommodation (particularly in rural areas), paid training and NVQ/SVQ qualifications, pension contributions, overtime opportunities, and staff meals during shifts. These extras can significantly increase the total value of your compensation package.
Warning Signs and Scam Prevention
Unfortunately, the high demand for care home sponsorship has attracted unscrupulous operators. Watch out for these red flags:
- Never pay for a Certificate of Sponsorship — This is illegal. The employer bears the cost.
- Be wary of agencies charging upfront fees — Legitimate UK recruitment agencies do not charge candidates.
- Verify the company’s sponsor licence — Use our checker before engaging with any employer.
- Research the care home — Check their CQC (Care Quality Commission) rating at cqc.org.uk to verify they are a genuine, inspected care provider.
Read our full guide on avoiding fake sponsorship offers for more protection strategies.
Next Steps
Ready to find care homes in England with visa sponsorship? Start by searching our sponsor directory, or check a specific care home using our daily sponsor licence checker. Both tools are free and updated daily from the official UKVI register.
Also see our guide to care homes in Scotland with visa sponsorship if you’re open to different locations across the UK.