UK Visa Sponsorship in the UK Care Sector
A Guide to Leveraging UK Visa Sponsorship in the Care Sector in 2025
The UK care sector continues to face critical staffing challenges. Immigration sponsorship provides a viable and impactful solution, enabling care providers to recruit skilled professionals from abroad. This guide outlines the key steps in employing overseas workers, the associated costs, and the ongoing Home Office sponsor compliance obligations.
Why Consider Immigration Sponsorship?
Immigration sponsorship for the UK offers access to a global pool of talent, helping to fill crucial staffing gaps in the care sector. Key benefits include:
- Stable Workforce: Reduce turnover and secure long-term staff.
- Diverse Skills: Introduce a global perspective and varied expertise to your team.
- Enhanced Care Quality: Ensure consistent, high-quality care for service users.
While initial costs are involved, these are often outweighed by the benefits of a committed and well-trained workforce.
Choosing the Right Visa
UK Health and Care Worker Visa
The UK Health and Care Worker Visa is the most suitable route for many care sector roles, offering:
- A lower salary threshold of £20,960 per year for carers.
- Exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Reduced visa application fees:
- £284 for up to three years.
- £551 for up to five years.
- Faster processing times compared to standard Skilled Worker Visas.
Note: Since 11 March 2024, new Care Workers and Senior Care Workers are not allowed to bring family members to the UK.
Skilled Worker Visa
The UK Skilled Worker visa is suitable for senior or specialised roles in the care sector that meet higher salary thresholds or require specific qualifications.
Applying for a Home Office Sponsor Licence
To sponsor overseas workers, your organisation must first obtain a Sponsorship Licence from the Home Office.
Steps to Apply
- Prepare Supporting Documentation:
- Business registration certificates.
- Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration.
- Financial statements.
- HR systems demonstrating compliance readiness.
- Understand the Costs:
- Application fee:
- £536 for small businesses.
- £1,476 for medium and large businesses.
- Expedited processing (around two weeks): Additional £500.
- Application fee:
- Processing Time:
Standard applications typically take 8 weeks, but priority processing can reduce this to approximately 2 weeks.
Issuing Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS)
Once you have a Sponsor Licence, you can issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to potential employees.
Key Costs
- CoS fee: £239 per certificate.
- Immigration Skills Charge:
- £364 per year for small sponsors.
- £1,000 per year for medium and large sponsors.
- Typically paid upfront for 3 or 5 years.
Eligibility for Small Sponsor Status
To qualify as a small sponsor, at least two of the following must apply:
- Annual turnover of £10.2 million or less.
- Total assets worth £5.1 million or less.
- 50 employees or fewer.
As a sponsor, you must pay these fees directly and cannot pass them on to employees.
Supporting Your Overseas Workers
Your duty as an employer extends beyond securing visas. Supporting your new employees includes:
- Assistance with relocation logistics.
- Guidance on cultural integration and local living arrangements.
- Help with practical matters, such as driving in the UK for domiciliary care workers.
Working with an ethical recruitment partner, such as Tier Resources International, ensures employees receive the necessary support and reduces risks associated with poor practices.
Ongoing Sponsorship Duties
Sponsorship involves continuous compliance obligations to maintain your licence under your Home Office Sponsor Duties:
- Record-Keeping:
- Maintain accurate records for each sponsored worker, including contact details and work absences.
- Reporting to the Home Office:
- Changes to employment, such as:
- New work location.
- Reduced hours or salary adjustments.
- Updated job duties or title.
- Changes to employment, such as:
- Salary Compliance:
- Ensure the employee's salary remains above the minimum threshold stated on their CoS.
- Audit Readiness:
- Be prepared for Home Office compliance audits, which have significantly increased and are expected to rise further in 2025.
Conclusion
Sponsoring overseas workers in the UK care sector is a long-term commitment that goes beyond financial investment. It involves building a supportive environment for international staff, ensuring compliance with Home Office requirements, and providing high-quality care to service users.
With the right guidance, the process can be efficient and highly beneficial for both employers and employees. At Immtell, we specialise in sponsor licence applications, compliance management, mock compliance audits and ongoing support to help care providers navigate the complexities of immigration sponsorship.
Build a Stronger Workforce in the Care Sector
Navigating UK visa sponsorship doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With expert guidance from Immtell and our ethical recruitment partner, Tier Resources International, we’ll help you secure skilled overseas workers, maintain compliance, and build a supportive environment for your team. Get in touch today!
Navigating UK visa sponsorship doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With expert guidance from Immtell and our ethical recruitment partner, Tier Resources International, we’ll help you secure skilled overseas workers, maintain compliance, and build a supportive environment for your team. Get in touch today!