The UK has implemented new visa regulations for care workers and increased the salary threshold to ₦50 million.

UK Government Introduces Stricter Visa Regulations for Care Workers, Foreign Employees, and Students

The UK Government has announced new visa regulations aimed at reducing immigration and prioritising local recruitment, impacting care providers, foreign workers, and international students.

Stricter Rules for Hiring Overseas Care Workers

Starting April 9, care providers seeking to employ staff from abroad must first attempt to recruit foreign workers already residing in the UK who need new visa sponsorship. This measure, introduced in Parliament on Wednesday, is part of broader efforts to reduce reliance on international hiring.

The Home Office stated that the changes are designed to create fairer opportunities for care workers already in the UK while limiting dependence on overseas recruitment. Additionally, the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas will increase from £23,200 to £25,000 per year (or £12.82 per hour) to reflect the rising minimum wage.

Prioritising UK-Based Care Workers

Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, acknowledged the essential role of international care workers in supporting vulnerable communities.

“As we crack down on rogue operators exploiting overseas workers, we must also ensure victims of exploitation can rebuild their careers in adult social care,” he said.

He stressed that prioritising care workers already in the UK would strengthen the workforce while reducing reliance on international recruitment.

Tougher Regulations on Short-Term Student Visas

In response to concerns over visa abuse, the Government is also tightening restrictions on short-term student visas.

Currently, foreign nationals studying English in the UK for six to 11 months are eligible for this visa. However, authorities have raised concerns that some applicants misuse the system and fail to leave the country after completing their studies.

To combat this, the Home Office will grant caseworkers greater authority to reject applications suspected of being fraudulent.

Immigration Crackdown and Employer Penalties

These policy changes are part of a broader crackdown on businesses violating immigration laws.

Between July 2022 and December 2024, the Government revoked more than 470 sponsor licences in the care sector due to repeated non-compliance. Employers found breaching immigration rules now face restrictions on hiring overseas workers.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to protecting international workers from exploitation.

“We have already taken steps to ensure employers cannot flout the rules or unfairly shift costs onto international workers,” she said.

“Now, we are going further by requiring care providers to prioritise hiring international workers already in the UK before seeking staff from abroad.”