The UK government has announced sweeping changes to its immigration system, bringing to an end the recruitment of foreign care workers as part of a major plan to reduce net migration and reshape how the country sources its workforce. The new rules, presented in Parliament as part of the Immigration White Paper, will have a big impact on the social care sector and other industries reliant on overseas staff.
Starting from July 22, 2025, most foreign nationals will no longer be able to come to the UK to work as care workers. The government says this is part of a “complete reset” of the immigration system, designed to lower migration numbers, prevent exploitation, and encourage investment in training and skills for UK workers.
What Are the Main Changes?
Under the new rules, only people with a degree-level qualification (Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6 or above) will be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa. This is a big change from before, when people with A-level equivalent skills (RQF level 3) could apply. The minimum salary for these visas is also going up, from £38,700 to £41,700.
A new, time-limited shortage occupation list will be created to allow some people in critical infrastructure jobs below degree level to work in the UK. However, these workers will not be allowed to bring their families with them, and they will not get discounts on visa fees or salaries. This list will only be in place until the end of 2026, unless the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommends it should continue.
Why Is the Government Making These Changes?
The government says it wants to bring migration under control and reduce the number of people coming to the UK to live and work.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said, “We are delivering a complete reset of our immigration system to restore proper control and order, after the previous government allowed net migration to quadruple in four years.” She added, “These new rules mean stronger controls to bring migration down, to restore order to the immigration system and to ensure we focus on investing in skills and training here in the UK.”
Migration Minister Seema Malhotra explained, “The key change is raising the threshold for Skilled Worker visas from occupations at Regulated Qualifications Framework level 3 and above, approximately A-level skills, to occupations at RQF level 6 and above, mainly graduate professions. Salary requirements for work visas are being raised in line with the latest Office for National Statistics data, ahead of an upcoming thorough review of salary requirements (including discounts) by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).”
What Does This Mean for the Care Sector?
The decision to stop recruiting foreign care workers has caused alarm in the social care sector, which is already struggling with staff shortages. There are more than 130,000 vacancies in care jobs across the UK, and many care providers say they rely on overseas staff to keep their services running.
GMB national officer Will Dalton called the decision “potentially catastrophic” and warned that the care industry is “utterly reliant on migrant workers.” He said, “There is absolutely no chance [fair pay agreements] will be in place in time to fill the void these new visa restrictions will create.”
Other industry leaders and unions have also spoken out.
The Homecare Association said, “International recruitment is a lifeline for the homecare sector, enabling us to provide vital support to older and disabled people in their own homes. Care providers are already struggling to recruit within the UK. We are deeply concerned the Government has not properly considered what will happen to the millions of people who depend on care at home to live safely and independently.”
Transitional Arrangements and Existing Workers
The government has set out transitional arrangements for overseas care workers who are already living and working in the UK. These workers will be allowed to stay, extend their visas, change employers, and apply to settle permanently. The Home Office has said that around 40,000 care workers were brought in by “rogue” recruitment providers and could continue to work while domestic staff are trained.
Other Changes in the Immigration White Paper
The new rules also include tougher English language requirements for people coming to the UK, and a higher immigration skills charge for employers who hire foreign workers. The government says the extra money raised from this charge will be used to invest in training for UK workers in key sectors, including social care.
The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) are also being closed to new applicants, as the government says these schemes have fulfilled their original purpose.
Reactions from Unions and Industry Bodies
Unions and care sector leaders have strongly criticised the decision to stop recruiting foreign care workers. They say the government has not done enough to address the underlying problems in the sector, such as low pay, difficult working conditions, and a lack of support for training and recruiting UK staff.
Christina McAnea, general secretary of Unison, said, “The NHS and the care sector would have collapsed long ago without the thousands of workers who’ve come to the UK from overseas.” She urged ministers to stop describing care jobs as “low skilled” and to get on with making fair pay agreements a reality.
What Happens Next?
The new rules will come into effect on July 22, 2025, if approved by Parliament. The government says it expects the changes to reduce the number of people coming to the UK by up to 100,000 every year.
Care providers will now have to focus on recruiting and training UK workers, or hiring from the pool of foreign workers already in the country. The government says it will keep a close eye on the situation and could introduce even stricter rules if there are signs of abuse or exploitation in any sector.
Conclusion
The UK’s decision to end the recruitment of foreign care workers is a major shift in immigration policy. While the government says it wants to reduce migration and invest in UK skills, the care sector is worried about the impact on services for older and vulnerable people. Unions and industry leaders say the government needs to do more to support the sector and make sure there are enough staff to meet demand.
As the new rules take effect, all eyes will be on how the care sector adapts and whether the government’s plans for training and support are enough to fill the gap left by overseas workers. The coming months will be crucial for the future of care in the UK.
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