What Will Happen to Care Workers in the UK After 2028?

There has been a lot of debate about the future of health and social care workers in the UK after 2028. As immigration policy continues to shift and social care services are in greater demand with a shortage of staff, many are wondering the same thing: what will happen to care workers in the UK after 2028?

This transition period will be completed after July 22, 2028. Care workers will no longer be able to be issued new visas. The ability to sponsor care workers from overseas will be completely removed. No extensions, no exceptions (for now), no more transitional arrangements. 

This guide covers everything clearly and realistically, covering visa rules, demand for the workforce, job security and what overseas care workers should prepare for in the next few years. 

Why is 2028 Important for UK Care Workers?

The year 2028 is attracting significant attention at present, particularly within the UK, due to a long-term immigration planning review and workforce planning discussions.

The transitional period for sponsorship by care workers in the UK will expire on July 22, 2028. The government has set a date for care worker visa sponsorship in the UK to end on July 22, 2028. Until this date, all the procedures for sponsoring care workers from overseas will be closed.

To see why this is important, you should understand what has happened prior. The UK immigration system had been dependent on a mechanism for care providers to sponsor overseas care workers to come and work in the UK for years. This was found to be a necessity because the UK has a large deficit in care workers, and an ageing population with greater care needs than the number of care workers that are in the country.

The government has closed new applications for care worker visas, however, in July 2025. They established a transitional period until 22 July 2028 for the current overseas workers to extend their visas, swap employers/sponsors, and seek permanent settlement.

This is why 2028 is significant, as it marks a fundamental change in the way the care sector in the UK will work. 

What Will Happen to Care Workers in the UK After 2028?

At this stage, there is no confirmed policy stating that care workers will lose their jobs after 2028. However, there are ongoing discussions that after July 22, 2028, the UK can reduce its reliance on overseas recruitment and strengthen its domestic workforce.

Possible long-term outcomes include:

Care worker visa route closes permanently

The care worker visa route will be removed from the Immigration Skills List (ISL) and Transient Shortage List (TSL). This means employers will no longer have any visa route to sponsor care workers in these specific occupations.

No new sponsorships possible

Care providers will be unable to issue new Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) for care worker roles. No new workers, no extensions of existing visas, no switches between employers under the care worker route.

Increased reliance on domestic recruitment

With overseas recruitment effectively closed, care providers will need to dramatically increase their focus on recruiting workers from within the UK. This means higher wages to attract domestic talent, more investment in training and development, and potentially more aggressive recruitment campaigns.

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Pressure on care homes and domiciliary care services

The care sector, particularly care homes and home care agencies, faces staffing challenges. Without the ability to recruit internationally, many providers will struggle to fill vacancies. This could result in reduced services, waiting lists for care, staff burnout from higher workloads, and potentially higher care costs passed to service users.

Current Situation of Care Workers in the UK

To understand where we’re heading, it’s important to understand where we are now.

The shortage of care workers

The UK currently has a significant shortage of care workers. The Health Foundation estimates we need tens of thousands more care workers to meet current and growing demand as the population ages. Currently, many care homes and home care agencies struggle to fill vacancies.

Reliance on international recruitment

Historically, international recruitment has filled this gap. Care providers, particularly in London and the South East, have recruited care workers from across Europe, Asia, and Africa. These workers have been essential to maintaining care services.

Immigration rule changes already implemented

As of July 22, 2025, care providers can no longer recruit new care workers from overseas. They can still sponsor workers already in the UK who have worked for them for at least three months, but no new overseas recruitment is happening.

Current visa status of existing overseas care workers

The good news is that overseas care workers currently in the UK on Health and Care Worker visas or Skilled Worker visas can still extend their visas until July 22, 2028. They can switch employers if employed for at least three months. Now is the right time to prepare yourself for the best with the right training.

If your current employer loses their sponsor licence, you will not lose your right to work in the UK. Instead, you have the opportunity to secure a new sponsor. Finding alternative employment with another licensed care provider allows you to continue your visa extension and settlement pathway, protecting your long-term future in the UK.

Will Care Worker Visa Rules Change After 2028

There is ongoing speculation that immigration rules may change after 2028, but no confirmed policy has been announced.

However, based on current trends, possible changes could include:

• Tighter eligibility criteria for sponsorship
• Higher English language or qualification requirements
• Increased salary thresholds
• Reduced dependency on overseas recruitment
• More focus on training UK-based workers

The UK government has repeatedly stated its intention to build a more sustainable domestic workforce, which may influence future visa frameworks. But care work remains an essential service, meaning demand for workers is unlikely to decrease.

What is the “Sponsorship Cliff Edge” in Social Care?

The sponsorship cliff edge refers to what happens for overseas care workers on July 22, 2028. On July 21, 2028, they can potentially extend their visas or apply for permanent settlement. On July 22, 2028, these options disappear.

For a care worker who does not achieve settlement before July 22, 2028, or who hasn’t been offered a visa extension by their employer, there could be a sudden loss of legal right to remain and work in the UK.

Who faces the sponsorship cliff edge?

Care workers at the highest risk of facing the sponsorship cliff edge are primarily those who have recently arrived in the UK and will not meet the settlement requirements by July 2028. Additionally, individuals who might lose their sponsorship before that deadline are also at risk.

Will Care Workers Lose Their Jobs After 2028? 

There is no evidence or official announcement suggesting that care workers will lose their jobs after 2028. However, the actual risk of unemployment for established overseas care workers after 2028 depends on several factors.

 The importance of permanent settlement

For care workers with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or permanent settlement, there is no job loss risk directly from the immigration rule changes. They can continue working indefinitely.

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Risk for those on temporary visas

Care workers still on temporary visas face genuine uncertainty. If they can’t extend their visas or find alternative sponsorship, they may need to leave the UK, which could mean leaving their jobs.

Potential positive scenario

The government is committed to supporting “sponsored care workers already in England beyond the current transition period.” This suggests some form of support or protection may exist for existing care workers, though details remain unclear.

What About Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for Care Workers? 

ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) is permanent residence in the UK. It is the goal for many overseas care workers, but the path to ILR is becoming more complicated.

Current ILR requirements

Currently, care workers on Skilled Worker visas can apply for ILR after five years of continuous residence in the UK, provided they meet salary requirements and other conditions. This five-year period is manageable and achievable for workers who’ve been in the UK since 2019 or earlier.

Proposed changes to ILR requirements

The government’s Immigration White Paper (May 2025) outlined plans to extend the ILR qualification period from five years to ten years. This would double the time required before workers can apply for permanent settlement.

However, this change hasn’t yet been implemented, and there’s uncertainty about whether it will apply to workers already in the UK or only to new arrivals.

Impact on Care Workers

If the ten-year rule is applied to existing care workers, it would be devastating for those arriving after the rule changes. They wouldn’t be able to apply for settlement until 2034 or later. This would create a trapped population unable to settle permanently.

If the ten-year rule applies only to new arrivals, existing care workers might be protected under the five-year rule.

What Should Care Workers Do Now to Prepare for 2028?: Step by Step Guide

If you’re an overseas care worker in the UK, you need to take action now. Don’t wait for 2028 to arrive.

Here are essential steps care workers can take:

1. Improve your qualifications

Completing the Care Certificate is essential, it’s the baseline expectation across UK care. Progress to Level 2 or Level 3 Diplomas in Health and Social Care to strengthen your employability and access senior roles. These qualifications remain valuable regardless of future visa changes and demonstrate a genuine commitment to a care career.

2. Build solid UK work experience

Employers value real UK care experience in regulated settings like CQC-registered care homes. Seek positions in stable, established organisations. Document your experience carefully, gather strong references, and maintain clear employment records. This portfolio becomes crucial evidence for ILR applications or future sponsorship needs.

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3. Improve your English communication skills

Strong English proficiency is essential for safeguarding patient safety. Consider formal English courses if needed, aiming for B2 level or above. Many care providers offer subsidised language training. Better communication skills improve care quality and significantly strengthen your employment prospects.

4. Stay updated on immigration rules

Policies change frequently. Follow official sources only, such as UK Home Office (gov.uk), NHS Employers, and care sector organisations. Join professional bodies or unions that track immigration changes relevant to care workers. Accurate information helps you adapt your plans quickly.

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Final Thoughts

The future of care workers in the UK after 2028 is shaped by uncertainty, but also by strong and ongoing demand.

So if you are thinking what will happen to care workers in the UK after 2028, do not panic. While immigration rules may evolve, the need for care workers is not going away. The UK population is ageing, and the social care sector will continue to rely on skilled, compassionate workers.

The most important thing for care workers is preparation, building skills, gaining experience, and working towards long-term stability through pathways like ILR.

For now, care work remains one of the most essential and in-demand roles in the UK, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon.