Starting April 9th, 2025, companies will have to jump through more hoops to prove they’ve tried to hire international care workers already living and working in the UK before looking overseas.
The UK government is shaking things up when it comes to hiring care workers in England. They’ve announced big changes to immigration rules that will make it tougher for employers to bring in care workers from abroad.
These new rules are part of a bigger plan to limit the number of foreign workers coming in, crack down on worker exploitation, and make sure people already here get a fair shot at these jobs.
Let’s take a closer look at how these changes will affect employers, the workers themselves, and what it all means for immigration in the UK down the line.
Also Read: US to Introduce Domestic Renewal System for H-1B Visas in 2025
1. Employers Must Prioritize Local Talent First
Under the new regulations, a key provision mandates that care providers in England demonstrate they’ve made genuine attempts to hire locally before considering candidates from overseas. This translates to the following:
Employers are required to make job openings available to international workers already present in England and in need of new sponsorship.
Overseas recruitment can only be pursued if no appropriate candidates are identified domestically.
Here’s why this is significant:
This change is designed to tackle the issue of “revolving door” recruitment practices, where employers might overlook local talent in favor of less expensive foreign labor. By giving precedence to workers already in the UK, the government aims to retain skilled professionals and lessen the reliance on visas.
2. Crackdown on Exploitation: Bans, Fines, and Salary Hikes
The government is cracking down on employers who are taking advantage of the system. Here are the major changes:
A. Taking Licenses Away from Bad Employers
Since July of last year, more than 470 licenses from employers in the care sector have been revoked. This affects over 39,000 workers. Employers who break immigration or labor laws will now face:
- Never being allowed to hire workers from other countries again.
- Being fined if they make workers pay recruitment fees (which is now against the law).
B. Raising the Minimum Wage for Skilled Workers
Starting in April 2025, the lowest hourly wage that Skilled Worker visa holders (including those in the care field) can be paid is going up to £12.82. People working in health and education, like nurses and teachers, will have their salaries matched to the national pay scales.
The Aim: To make sure everyone is paid fairly and to stop workers from getting trapped in debt because they were attracted by low-paying jobs.
3. Short-Term Student Visa: Stricter Checks to Curb Abuse
The Short-Term Student visa, intended for English courses lasting between 6 and 11 months, is currently facing increased scrutiny because of its growing misuse. Caseworkers have been granted new authority to:
Turn down applications that they believe are not legitimate. Look into whether applicants genuinely plan to study and leave the UK after their course ends. These measures aim to stop people from exploiting this visa route to work illegally or overstay their welcome in the UK.
4. Supporting Workers Impacted by License Revocations
The government is teaming up with the care industry to assist workers affected by the loss of their sponsors’ licenses. This support involves:
- Speeding up the process of finding new jobs with employers who follow the rules.
- Offering assistance with visa transfers to prevent deportation.
Seema Malhotra, the Minister for Migration, explained:
“We’re making sure that those who work in our care sector can do their jobs without facing abuse or exploitation.”
5. UK’s Plan to Cut Legal Migration
These changes align with the government’s Immigration White Paper (due soon), which promises:
- Tighter visa controls across sectors.
- A focus on upskilling domestic workers.
- Linking immigration policies to economic growth and labor needs.
Key Stat: Net migration to the UK hit a record 745,000 in 2023, driving urgency for systemic reforms.
What These Changes Mean for Employers and Workers
For Employers:
- Document Recruitment Efforts: Keep records of local job ads and candidate rejections.
- Audit Compliance: Ensure adherence to wage laws and sponsorship duties.
- Prepare for Higher Costs: Budget for increased salary requirements.
For Care Workers:
- Job Security: Easier transitions between employers if licenses are revoked.
- Fairer Pay: Higher minimum wages reduce exploitation risks.
- Priority Access: Existing workers gain first dibs on new roles.