The United Kingdom has abolished the Care Worker Visa from 22 July 2025. Find out why the UK has approved these changes in 2025, what to do for those already in the country, and what alternatives are available to migrants

From 22 July 2025, the UK government will no longer allow foreigners to obtain visas to work as carers. This decision has already affected thousands of people who were planning to work in the social care sector. What this ban means, who it applies to and what options remain – read our guide.

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What has changed with the UK Care Worker Visa?

Until July 2025, carers were on the list of scarce occupations (SOC code 6145). This allowed them to obtain a UK visa more easily – with reduced salary requirements, lower fees and accelerated processing of the application.

But from now on, the government has officially closed this route to new applicants. The reason is a decrease in overall migration levels and a focus on the domestic labour market. While official sources talk about combating abuse, experts fear that this will further exacerbate the staffing crisis in the social sector.

Instructions for expats in the UK on a Carer Visa

For now, for those already working in the UK on this visa, things are not so critical. You will not be deported. You can continue to work until the visa expires, and you can also:

-Change employer (if the new job meets the conditions of your visa),

- Extend your visa, if this is allowed under the transitional rules,

- Keep your dependants with you, if this is already allowed.

However, once your visa expires, the path to extending or re-obtaining the same visa will be closed. Therefore, it is worth acting now.

What to do after the visa expires?

When your Carer Visa expires, you will be left with several options:

1. Switch to another work visa

For example, a skilled worker visa for another profession that is still allowed.

2. Study in the UK

Apply for a student visa, take a course (nursing, social care) and then change your immigration status.

3. Path to permanent residence

If you have worked for 5 years on a skilled visa, you may want to consider the option of permanent residence (ILR).

Important! Contact an immigration lawyer 6 months before your visa expires - this will help avoid violating your status and being forced to leave.

Instructions for those outside the UK

Planned to go and work as a carer in 2025? Unfortunately, this option is no longer available. But there are alternatives:

1. Skilled Nurse Visa

If you have a registered nurse qualification in the UK, the path is open. Healthcare staff are still on the list of shortage professions.

2. Study in the UK

Come on a student visa, study a course in social care or nursing, and then apply for another visa.

3. Other popular fields

Britain is still actively looking for specialists in construction, IT, engineering. Perhaps it is a change of career direction that will open up new opportunities for you to move.

What to do right now?

- Contact an accredited immigration consultant or lawyer.

- Check the news on the official UK Home Office websites.

- Keep all documents about employment and immigration status.

- Plan your steps in advance.

Working as a carer is no longer a legal way for foreigners to obtain a British visa. But this is not the end - there are still many opportunities. If you are already in the UK, the main thing is not to delay and act early. If you are just planning to move - consider alternative visa routes or retrain.

Reminder! From 22 July 2025, the UK has changed a number of immigration rules, including increased qualification requirements, salary requirements and new restrictions for dependants. We have already told you what you need to know about the new requirements for a skilled worker visa and how to prepare for the changes.

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