July 2025 Changes in the UK Immigration Rules

Switching to the UK Care Worker Visa in 2025: What Students, PSWs, and Skilled Workers Need to Know

As the UK tightens its immigration policy, particularly in the health and social care sector, many international students, graduates, and workers on Skilled Worker visas are unsure whether they can still transition into the care worker route. In this post, we break down the latest rules—effective as of April and July 2025—and what they mean for those already in the UK or looking to switch into care roles.

Can Student or PSW Visa Holders Switch to a Care Worker Visa in 2025?

✅ Yes, but strict new conditions apply.

Holders of Student Visas or Post-Study Work (PSW)/Graduate Visas can still switch to a Skilled Worker visa as a care worker or senior care worker if they meet the following requirements:

✅ Requirements for Switching:

• Must be applying from within the UK.

• Must be sponsored under eligible occupation codes:

  • 6135 – Care Workers and Home Carers

  • 6136 – Senior Care Workers

• Must be offered a genuine full-time job with a licensed sponsor, registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and engaged in regulated activity in England.

• Must meet salary threshold (at least £23,200 or £25,000, depending on job specifics).

• Must satisfy English language and financial maintenance requirements.

• Must not be working for a third party in a routine/contract role.

  
  

🚫 Dependants:

From March 11, 2024, new applicants on care worker routes (6135/6136) are not permitted to bring dependants, including spouses or children, unless they qualify for an exception (e.g., transitional provisions for in-country switchers sponsored before that date). This restriction still applies in 2025.

⚠️ Important:

This route will close for new overseas entry clearance applications from 22 July 2025. However, in-country switching will remain possible until 22 July 2028, as long as applicants meet eligibility criteria and were already in the UK.

What About Existing Care Workers? Can They Extend Their Visas?

🔄 Yes, but under tighter controls.

If you're already on a Skilled Worker visa as a care worker or senior care worker, the new rules introduce two major changes:

🔒 A) Care Worker Recruitment Requirement (From April 9, 2025)

Before sponsors can offer you a new CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship), they must:

• Attempt to recruit from the displaced worker pool (care workers already in the UK whose sponsors lost their licence).

• Engage with the Regional Care Partnership.

• Prove no suitable candidate was found from that pool before recruiting a new applicant (you).

This rule affects both visa extensions and new CoS allocations.

🔄 B) Visa Extension Eligibility:

• You can extend your visa as long as:

  • Your sponsor is still licensed.

  • You continue to work in the same role.

  • You meet the salary and job eligibility requirements.

    
    

🛑 Note on Dependants:

If your current visa was granted before 11 March 2024, and you brought dependants, they can remain. But if you later change employer or job and apply under a new CoS, you may lose the right to include or extend dependants, unless you qualify under transitional provisions.

Can Skilled Workers in Other Job Codes Switch to a Care Role?

Yes, but with new compliance hurdles.

If you're already in the UK under the Skilled Worker route in a job other than 6135/6136, you can switch to a care worker role, as long as:

Requirements:

• You apply from within the UK.

• Your new role is under occupation code 6135 or 6136.

• You’re sponsored by a CQC-registered employer engaged in regulated activity in England.

• You meet salary, English, and financial requirements.

• Your sponsor complies with the care worker recruitment requirement mentioned above.

  
  

🚫 Dependants:

Even if you had dependants under your current Skilled Worker visa, you cannot carry them over to the care worker route (unless your original sponsorship was granted before 11 March 2024 and you qualify under transitional rules).

⚠️ Key Warning:

Switching into this role after 22 July 2025 may become increasingly difficult as the route begins to phase out. Although in-country switches are permitted until July 2028, sponsors must now justify the hire and demonstrate efforts to recruit displaced workers first.

Category	Can Switch to Care Worker Visa?	Can Bring/Extend Dependants?	Special Notes
Student Visa	✅ Yes	🚫 No (from Mar 11, 2024)	Must meet salary, role, sponsor criteria
Graduate Visa (PSW)	✅ Yes	🚫 No	In-country only; sponsor must follow new recruitment rule
Other Skilled Workers	✅ Yes	🚫 No	Can switch, but transitional rules for dependants may apply
Existing Care Workers	🔁 Extension allowed	✅ If pre-March 2024 only	Sponsors must consult regional care partnerships

With the UK government closing doors on overseas recruitment in social care, timing and sponsor eligibility have become critical. If you’re in the UK on a student, graduate, or skilled route and are planning to move into care work—or extend your current role—be proactive. Ensure your sponsor is registered, meets all new requirements, and that you're ready with supporting documents.

Want help with switching visas, navigating sponsor checks, or understanding your eligibility? Contact us—we’ll guide you through it.