The United Kingdom’s health and social care sector is the backbone of its society, and right now, it needs you. For immigrants around the world dreaming of a stable, rewarding career and a new life in the UK, the demand for dedicated care workers has opened an unprecedented pathway. Navigating the journey of finding a care home job with visa sponsorship can seem daunting, but it is entirely achievable with the right information.
This is your ultimate 2025 guide. We will break down every single step, from understanding the visa requirements to finding a licensed sponsor, acing your interview, and preparing for your life in the UK.
Table of Contents
- Why the UK Urgently Needs Overseas Care Workers in 2025
- The Golden Ticket: Understanding the Health and Care Worker Visa
- What Is It?
- Key Benefits for Applicants
- Are You Eligible? The Definitive Checklist for Applicants
- Requirement 1: A Job Offer from a Licensed Sponsor
- Requirement 2: An Eligible Job Role (SOC Codes)
- Requirement 3: The Minimum Salary Threshold
- Requirement 4: English Language Proficiency (B1 Level)
- Requirement 5: Proof of Funds (Maintenance)
- Requirement 6: A Valid Tuberculosis (TB) Test Certificate
- Requirement 7: Criminal Record Certificate
- Your Step-by-Step Roadmap: From Job Search to UK Arrival
- Step 1: Get Your Documents Ready
- Step 2: Find a Licensed UK Care Home Sponsor
- Step 3: Tailor Your CV and Apply for Jobs
- Step 4: Ace the Virtual Interview
- Step 5: Receive Your Job Offer & Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- Step 6: Apply for Your Visa Online
- Step 7: Attend Your Biometric Appointment
- Step 8: Receive Your Visa and Relocate
- Where to Find Genuine Sponsored Care Home Jobs (And Avoid Scams)
- Official Government Portals
- Major UK Job Boards
- Directly on Care Home Group Websites
- Specialist Recruitment Agencies
- Budgeting for Your Move: A Realistic Breakdown of Costs
- A Crucial Update on Bringing Family (Dependants)
- Life as a Care Worker in the UK: What to Expect
- The Role and Responsibilities
- Work Culture and Hours
- Career Progression
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Your Journey Starts Now
Why the UK Urgently Needs Overseas Care Workers in 2025
The demand for care workers in the United Kingdom isn’t just a headline; it’s a critical national need. Several factors have converged to create a massive shortfall of skilled care staff:
- An Ageing Population: Like many Western nations, the UK has a growing elderly population. This demographic shift means more people require support in residential care homes and assisted living facilities, driving up the demand for care professionals.
- Post-Brexit Labour Market: The UK’s departure from the European Union has significantly changed its labour dynamics. The pool of workers from EU countries has shrunk, forcing the government and employers to look further afield for talent.
- Increased Strain on the NHS: A well-supported social care sector reduces the burden on the National Health Service (NHS). By providing quality care in residential settings, care workers help prevent hospital admissions and facilitate timely discharges, making them essential to the broader healthcare system.
In response, the UK government has classified care work as a shortage occupation, making it easier for overseas workers to qualify for a sponsored visa. This presents a life-changing opportunity for compassionate and hardworking individuals from across the globe.
The Golden Ticket: Understanding the Health and Care Worker Visa
The primary route for immigrants to work in UK care homes is the Health and Care Worker visa. This isn’t a separate visa class but a specific pathway within the main Skilled Worker visa route.
What Is It?
The Health and Care Worker visa is designed for qualified doctors, nurses, and adult social care professionals to come to the UK to fill eligible roles with an approved employer. It was created to make the process of migrating for these essential roles faster, cheaper, and more straightforward.
Key Benefits for Applicants
Choosing this visa route comes with significant advantages over the standard Skilled Worker visa:
- Reduced Visa Application Fees: The application fee is substantially lower. As of late 2025, the fee is around £284 per person for a visa up to 3 years and £551 for a visa longer than 3 years. These are significantly less than the standard skilled worker fees.
- Exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): This is the biggest financial benefit. The IHS is a mandatory fee for most migrants that can cost over £1,000 per year. Health and Care Worker visa holders (and their dependants, if eligible) are completely exempt from this charge, saving thousands of pounds.
- Faster Processing Times: Applications under this route are typically prioritised by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), with most decisions made within 3 weeks of the biometric appointment.
- A Clear Path to Settlement: After residing in the UK for five years on this visa, you can become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as permanent settlement.
Are You Eligible? The Definitive Checklist for Applicants
To successfully obtain a Health and Care Worker visa, you must meet a specific set of criteria. Let’s break them down one by one.
Requirement 1: A Job Offer from a Licensed Sponsor
You cannot apply for this visa speculatively. You must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer that is licensed by the Home Office to sponsor migrant workers. This employer will provide you with a crucial document called a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Requirement 2: An Eligible Job Role (SOC Codes)
Your job offer must fall under a specific Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. For care home roles, the most relevant codes are:
- SOC Code 6145: This covers roles such as Care Assistant, Care Worker, Carer, Home Care Assistant, Home Carer, and Support Worker (Nursing Home).
- SOC Code 6146: This covers Senior Care Assistants, Senior Care Workers, and Senior Carers. These roles typically involve more responsibility, such as supervising other carers and administering medication.
Your job description must align with the duties outlined for these official codes.
Requirement 3: The Minimum Salary Threshold
Your employer must pay you a salary that meets or exceeds a certain threshold. For the Health and Care Worker visa, you must be paid at least:
- £23,200 per year; or
- The “going rate” for your specific SOC code, whichever is higher.
The going rate is based on a 37.5-hour work week. If you work more hours, your overall salary must increase proportionally to still meet the hourly going rate. Always confirm the latest salary thresholds on the official GOV.UK website, as they are subject to change.
Requirement 4: English Language Proficiency (B1 Level)
You must prove you can read, write, speak, and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. You can prove this by:
- Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider, such as IELTS for UKVI (requiring a minimum score of 4.0 overall and in each component) or Pearson PTE Academic UKVI.
- Having a degree that was taught or researched in English (you may need an ECCTIS certificate to verify this if the degree is from outside the UK).
- Being a citizen of a majority English-speaking country.
Requirement 5: Proof of Funds (Maintenance)
You must show that you can support yourself financially upon your arrival in the UK. The requirement is to have at least £1,270 in your bank account, held for at least 28 consecutive days before your visa application date.
Crucial Exemption: Many sponsors will “certify your maintenance” on your CoS. If your CoS states that your sponsor will cover your maintenance costs for the first month, you are exempt from this financial requirement and do not need to provide bank statements.
Requirement 6: A Valid Tuberculosis (TB) Test Certificate
If you are applying from a country on the UKVI’s list of specified countries (which includes nations like Nigeria, India, the Philippines, and Pakistan), you must take a tuberculosis test at a Home Office-approved clinic and include the certificate with your application.
Requirement 7: Criminal Record Certificate
As you will be working with vulnerable adults, you will be required to provide a criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years. This is a standard safeguarding measure.
 Your Step-by-Step Roadmap: From Job Search to UK Arrival
Here is a practical, chronological guide to the entire process.
Step 1: Get Your Documents Ready
Before you even start applying for jobs, prepare your key documents:
- Up-to-date CV/Resume: Tailor it to UK standards. Highlight any experience in care, healthcare, or customer service.
- Valid International Passport: Ensure it has at least 6 months of validity.
- English Language Test Results: Book and take your test if required.
- Educational Certificates: Gather your academic qualifications.
- TB Test Certificate: If applicable, get this done.
Step 2: Find a Licensed UK Care Home Sponsor
This is the most critical part of your job search. You can only apply to employers who hold a sponsorship license. The official and most reliable way to verify this is by checking the Home Office’s Register of Licensed Sponsors. This is a public document that lists every company in the UK with a license to hire foreign workers.
Step 3: Tailor Your CV and Apply for Jobs
- Focus on Your Skills: Emphasize compassion, patience, communication, reliability, and teamwork.
- Write a Compelling Cover Letter: Briefly introduce yourself, state why you want to work in care in the UK, and confirm your understanding of the visa sponsorship process.
- Apply Widely: Don’t just apply to one or two homes. Apply to multiple licensed sponsors to increase your chances.
Step 4: Ace the Virtual Interview
Most interviews will be conducted online via platforms like Zoom, Skype, or Microsoft Teams.
- Prepare for Common Questions: Be ready to answer questions about your experience, why you want to be a carer, how you handle difficult situations, and your understanding of safeguarding.
- Test Your Technology: Ensure you have a stable internet connection and a quiet, well-lit space.
- Show Your Personality: Be warm, friendly, and professional. The care sector values personality as much as experience.
Step 5: Receive Your Job Offer & Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
If you are successful, you will receive a formal job offer. Once you accept, the employer will apply for a CoS for you from the Home Office. This is an electronic record, not a physical certificate. It contains a unique reference number that you will use for your visa application.
Step 6: Apply for Your Visa Online
With your CoS number, you can complete the Health and Care Worker visa application form on the official GOV.UK website. You will need to fill in your personal details, travel history, and CoS number, and upload digital copies of your supporting documents.
Step 7: Attend Your Biometric Appointment
After submitting your online application and paying the fee, you will be prompted to book an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) in your home country. Here, they will take your fingerprints and a photograph.
Step 8: Receive Your Visa and Relocate
As mentioned, processing usually takes about 3 weeks. If successful, you will receive your passport back with a vignette (sticker) valid for 90 days, allowing you to travel to the UK. Once in the UK, you will collect your full Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from a designated Post Office.
Where to Find Genuine Sponsored Care Home Jobs (And Avoid Scams)
Finding legitimate job openings is key. Here are the best places to look:
- Official Government Portals: The UK Government’s “Find a Job” service and the NHS Jobs website are excellent resources. They often list roles that explicitly mention visa sponsorship.
- Major UK Job Boards: Websites like Indeed UK, Reed.co.uk, Totaljobs, and CV-Library are filled with care job listings. Use search filters like “visa sponsorship,” “sponsorship available,” or “skilled worker” to narrow down your results.
- Directly on Care Home Group Websites: Many large care providers have their own careers sections. Research and apply directly to major groups like Bupa, HC-One, Barchester Healthcare, Care UK, and Four Seasons Health Care.
- Specialist Recruitment Agencies: There are agencies that specialise in recruiting overseas healthcare staff for UK employers. Ensure they are reputable and registered in the UK.
Red Flag Warning: Be extremely wary of scams. You should NEVER pay for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The CoS is assigned by the employer, and it is illegal for them or any agent to charge you for it. Legitimate employers will never ask you for money for the job offer itself.
Budgeting for Your Move: A Realistic Breakdown of Costs
While the Health and Care visa is cheaper than other routes, you still need to budget carefully. Here are the estimated costs as of late 2025 (always check official sources for current fees):
Some employers offer relocation packages that may cover your flight and initial accommodation, so be sure to ask about this during your interview.
A Crucial Update on Bringing Family (Dependants)
This is a critical point that has changed recently.
As of early 2024, care workers and senior care workers (SOC codes 6145 and 6146) are no longer permitted to bring dependants (partners and children) with them to the UK.
This rule was implemented to ensure the visa route is focused on addressing labour shortages in the sector. This means if you are applying for a new Health and Care Worker visa as a carer, you will need to come to the UK alone initially. Other roles on the Health and Care visa route, such as nurses or doctors, may still be able to bring dependants, but the specific roles of ‘Care Worker’ and ‘Senior Carer’ are now excluded from this provision.
Life as a Care Worker in the UK: What to Expect
The Role and Responsibilities
Your daily tasks will be varied and focused on providing physical and emotional support to residents. This can include:
- Assisting with personal care (washing, dressing, eating).
- Administering medication (for senior roles).
- Mobility assistance.
- Providing companionship and organising social activities.
- Monitoring residents’ health and wellbeing.
- Updating care plans and communicating with family members and healthcare professionals.
Work Culture and Hours
Care homes operate 24/7, so you should expect to work in shifts, which may include early mornings, late evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays. A typical full-time contract is between 37.5 and 48 hours per week.
Career Progression
Starting as a Care Assistant is just the beginning. With experience and further qualifications (like a Level 2, 3, or 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care), you can progress to roles like:
- Senior Care Assistant
- Team Leader
- Deputy Home Manager
- Registered Home Manager
Some individuals even use their experience in care as a stepping stone to pursue nursing qualifications in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Do I need previous experience or qualifications to be a care worker in the UK? While experience is highly valued, many entry-level Care Assistant roles do not require formal qualifications. Employers are often looking for the right personal attributes: compassion, patience, and a strong work ethic. They will provide mandatory on-the-job training.
Q2: How long does the entire process take, from job application to arriving in the UK? This can vary, but a realistic timeline is 3 to 6 months. This includes the time for job searching, interviews, receiving your CoS, and the 3-week visa processing time.
Q3: Can I switch employers once I am in the UK on a Health and Care Worker visa? Yes, but you must find a new job with another licensed sponsor. Your new employer will need to assign you a new Certificate of Sponsorship, and you will need to apply to the Home Office to update your visa before you can start your new job.
Q4: What is the difference between a ‘Defined’ and ‘Undefined’ Certificate of Sponsorship? A ‘Defined’ CoS is for applicants applying from outside the UK. An ‘Undefined’ CoS is for those already in the UK on a different visa who are switching to the Skilled Worker route. If you are applying from your home country, your employer will assign you a ‘Defined’ CoS.
Q5: Can I work a second job while on this visa? Yes, you can work up to 20 hours per week in a second job, provided it is in the same profession and at the same professional level as your main job, or it is on the Shortage Occupation List.
Your Journey Starts Now
The path to securing a care home job in the UK with visa sponsorship is a journey of diligence, preparation, and perseverance. The demand is real, the opportunity is significant, and the process is clearly defined. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently navigate the system and turn your dream of a rewarding career in the UK into a reality.
The UK’s social care sector is waiting for dedicated individuals like you to help care for its most vulnerable citizens. Start your research, prepare your documents, and take the first step today.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and was last updated in October 2025. UK immigration rules and visa fees are subject to change. Always consult the official GOV.UK website for the most current and accurate information before making any decisions or applications.
