Introduction to Sponsoring a Care Worker in 2026:
The immigration rules changed on 22nd July 2025 and one of the headline changes was brining an end to overseas applications from care workers (6135) and senior care workers (6136). For the purpose of this blog, ‘care worker’ refers to both 6135 and 6136 roles.
There have been many changes to the care worker routes over the last year, with the Home Office introducing an array or requirements and rules only affecting 6135 and 6136, this is likely a result of the recent statistics which have shown a surge in health and care worker visa applications since 2021.
In changes to the immigration rules last year, the Home Office removed over a hundred eligible roles from the list that were considered to be below RQF level 6 (Graduate level). 6135 and 6136 are considered to be RQF level 2 meaning the role no longer appears in the eligible list for candidates new to the route.
There are transitional provisions in places for those already on the route and care workers and senior care workers remain in the Immigration Salary List and eligible to apply for extensions up until 22nd July 2028.
Sponsoring a Care worker in 2026
Aside to the general requirements for sponsoring a skilled worker, there are 2 additional requirements that care workers and senior care workers must meet to be sponsored after July 2025. These are:
- The care worker immigration status requirement
- The care worker regulation requirement
Immigration status requirement
If a Care Provider wishes to sponsor a care worker from 22nd July 2025 the candidate must already be in the UK and be applying for permission to stay.
A candidate can meet the immigration status requirement in two ways.
- The candidate must have legally worked for the Care Provider for 3 months prior to the Certificate of Sponsorship assignment.
*This means, for example, a Care Provider can sponsor a Graduate or PBS Dependant that has worked for them for at least 3 months on their current status.
OR
- The candidate must already be sponsored in Standard Occupation Classification codes 6135 or 6136.
*In this scenario, the Care Providers can continue to sponsor workers they already sponsor as a care worker/senior care worker OR a person working for another Care Provider as a care worker or senior care worker who wants to change employer.
Care Worker regulation requirement
This requirement only applied to Care Providers operating in England. To sponsor care workers the business must be undertaking a ‘regulated activity’ and hold active CQC registration.
The definition of ‘Regulated activities’ can be found here.
There are certain exceptions to the requirement to have an active CQC registration for workers who are extending their permission and initially sponsored before 11 March 2024.
A sponsor must meet the care worker regulation requirement when sponsoring a worker for either 6135 or 6136.
End of the care worker recruitment requirement
Before the rule changes in July 2025 the guidance made reference to the care worker recruitment requirement. This introduced ‘displaced worker pool’ and the ‘regional care partnership’. This is for workers who have lost their sponsorship (either from lack of work or their employers licence revocation) to be paired by the regional care partnership with Care Provider in the area. Now that the route has been closed to overseas applicants it is no longer mandatory to engage with the regional care partnership prior to sponsorship. This care worker recruitment requirement has now been abandoned and replaced by the immigration status requirement as set out above.
It is still good practice when recruiting new care workers to approach your regional care partner and see if there are any worker displaced care workers seeking sponsorship. This would allow you to sponsor them as candidates already working in an available SOC code.
For a full list of the regional care partnerships see here.
Note on Care Worker Dependants
As remains the same as before the recent rule changes, care workers (6135 and 6136) are still unable to have dependants on their visa.
There are certain, limited, exceptions for dependant children which we could assess on a case by case basis. Namely both parents needs to have status in the UK.
Getting help with Sponsoring a Care Worker in 2026
Sponsoring a care worker has gotten increasingly harder and this route has changed significantly over the past year so it is important sponsors remain up to date with these changes.
If you need assistance in establishing whether your candidate is eligible for sponsorship or support in making sure their certificate and application meet the rules, please get in touch.
Contact Us
Not quite ready to book an appointment yet or unsure if it’s the right step for you? No worries! We understand that making decisions regarding legal matters can be daunting.
Reach out to our Client Care Manager, Rikki, who will be more than happy to assist you and guide you in the right direction.
Your peace of mind matters to us, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Contact Rikki today for personalised guidance and assistance.
