Starting April 9, 2025, the UK government is introducing new rules for sponsors looking to hire care workers and senior care workers from overseas. If you are a care provider in England, here’s what you need to know.

Priority for UK-Based Care Workers

Care providers in England will need to prioritize hiring from the existing pool of care workers already living in the UK before looking to sponsor new workers from overseas. This means employers must first try to fill vacancies with care workers who are already in the country before they can offer sponsorship to new applicants from abroad.

Proof of Local Recruitment Efforts Required

Before sponsoring an international worker, employers must confirm regional or sub-regional partnerships that they have actively tried to recruit locally. This additional step ensures that opportunities are first given to workers already in the UK before looking elsewhere.

Exceptions to the Rule

These changes only apply to England. If you are hiring care workers in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, these rules will not affect you. Additionally, any care workers already sponsored in England before the rule change will not be impacted.

What This Means for Employers and Care Workers

For care providers, this means adjusting recruitment strategies to focus more on local hiring before turning to international recruitment. For overseas applicants, it may become more challenging to secure sponsorship unless there is a clear local shortage.

As the April 2025 deadline approaches, care providers should stay informed and ensure they meet all the new requirements to avoid delays in hiring. If you are a care worker looking to move to the UK, staying updated on these changes can help you plan your next steps accordingly.

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