UK Ends Overseas Recruitment for Caregivers

The United Kingdom (UK) has announced the termination of overseas recruitment for social care workers as part of a sweeping reform of its immigration system, set to take effect on July 22, 2025.

The new rules, unveiled in Parliament by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, have been described as a “complete reset” aimed at cutting net migration and reducing the country’s dependence on low-paid foreign labour.

Under the changes, new visa applications for caregiving roles from outside the UK will be discontinued, although those already in the UK under existing permits will be allowed to switch visa types internally until 2028.

The reform package also includes increased salary and qualification thresholds for the skilled worker visa route. Moving forward, most applicants will require at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, alongside a higher minimum salary benchmark aligned with the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Speaking on the policy changes, Seema Malhotra, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, noted that the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has been tasked with reviewing the new salary bands and advising on potential exemptions.

A key part of the overhaul is the drastic reduction of the shortage occupation list, which previously allowed easier access to work visas for high-demand roles. Over 100 occupations — including chefs, plasterers, and other skilled trades — are being removed from the list. A smaller “critical roles” list will remain temporarily, but these positions will no longer enjoy fee discounts or eligibility to bring dependents.

Home Secretary Cooper told MPs:

“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.

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.”

The Home Office said the move aims to prevent abuse of the care visa route and address long-standing concerns over exploitation of foreign workers, while prioritising the development of the local UK workforce.

The announcement has sparked concerns among care sector employers, many of whom have relied heavily on foreign caregivers to fill staffing gaps amid growing demand in the UK’s ageing population.

Further reviews and consultations are expected over the coming months as the UK government enforces the changes and considers long-term impacts on the health and social care sectors.