Elderly Care Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship for Foreigners

Elderly Care Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship for Foreigners  The primary visa for foreigners seeking elderly care roles in the UK is the Health and Care Worker visa (formerly known as the Tier 2 Health and Care visa). This is designed for skilled workers in health and social care, including roles supporting the elderly, such as caregivers, home care workers, and support staff in adult social care.

What roles are eligible for sponsorship?

• Health and Care Worker visa covers many health and social care roles, but frontline “care worker/home carer” and “senior care worker” roles (codes 6135/6136) now have restricted overseas entry. New overseas hiring is focused on graduate‑level roles (RQF6) unless you are extending/switching under specific transition rules or already in the UK working legally for the same sponsor for 3+ months1.
• You must have a job offer from an approved sponsor in the NHS, an organisation providing NHS services, or an organisation providing adult social care1.
• Care providers in England that sponsor care workers/senior care workers must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)1.

Core visa requirements (high level)

• Confirm your job’s 4‑digit occupation code and that it’s eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa1.
• Have a job offer from an approved sponsor and receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS); apply within 3 months of CoS issue1.
• Meet salary thresholds: typically at least £25,000 or the going rate for the role, whichever is higher1.
• English language (as applicable to role/regulator), maintenance funds unless certified by sponsor, and any required TB test depending on country of residence (general process references)19.

Where to find genuine visa‑sponsoring employers

• UK government Register of Licensed Sponsors: the official, regularly updated list of organisations allowed to sponsor workers. Search for adult social care, NHS, and healthcare providers and apply directly19.
• Care Visa Sponsor Database (sector‑filtered): a civil society tool that combines the government sponsor list with UK care regulators to surface social care providers licensed to sponsor. Useful for finding adult social care sponsors by region/provider name (not an endorsement; may have gaps)15.
• Major UK care employer with sponsorship track: Agincare (UKVI Licensed Sponsor) actively recruits internationally for nurses and senior healthcare assistant roles and outlines its eligibility and English requirements on its careers site7.

Active job boards and official listings

• NHS Jobs: search “visa sponsorship” to find current listings from trusts and partner providers; some roles note sponsorship availability and contract details18.
• Indeed UK: search terms like “care homes visa sponsorship,” “care assistant visa sponsorship,” and “caregiver visa sponsorship.” Some postings explicitly say “UK visa sponsorship,” while many require existing right to work—read each ad carefully51016.

Helpful sources to use immediately

• Health and Care Worker visa: eligibility, occupation codes, salary rules, and employer requirements1.
• Register of Licensed Sponsors (official list to verify genuine sponsors)19.
• Care Visa Sponsor Database (sector‑specific view of licensed social care sponsors)15.
• Employer example: Agincare International outlines criteria and sponsorship pathway for overseas candidates7.
• UK job boards with sponsorship filters or signals: NHS Jobs “visa sponsorship” results18, Indeed searches for “care homes with visa sponsorship” and “caregiver visa sponsorship”5

• Benefits:

• Faster processing, lower fees than other skilled worker visas, and the ability to bring dependents. You can extend it and potentially settle in the UK after 5 years.

However, important update: As of July 22, 2025, the UK government implemented a ban on sponsoring new overseas care workers or senior care workers under the Health and Care Worker visa for adult social care roles. This change, reported by sources like Community Care, aims to address domestic workforce shortages but has significantly limited options for foreigners in entry-level elderly care positions. This means many private care providers can no longer sponsor visas for roles like basic care assistants or home care workers. Existing sponsored workers are unaffected, but new applications for these specific occupations are restricted.

Despite this, opportunities still exist in:

• Higher-skilled roles (e.g., registered nurses, occupational therapists, or managerial positions in elderly care) that may qualify under the broader Skilled Worker visa if the employer has a sponsorship license.
• NHS-related jobs or suppliers, which often remain eligible.
• Live-in care or specialized elderly support roles with certain sponsors.

How To Apply

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Conclusion

In summary, elderly care jobs in the UK offer rewarding opportunities for foreigners passionate about supporting the aging population, with potential for visa sponsorship under the Health and Care Worker visa or Skilled Worker visa.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about elderly care jobs in the UK with visa sponsorship for foreigners, based on current information as of August 2025 from sources like GOV.UK, NHS Employers, and job sites such as visasponsorshipjob.com.

1. Is visa sponsorship still available for elderly care jobs in the UK after the 2025 changes?
   Partially yes, but it’s restricted. The ban from July 22, 2025, prohibits new sponsorships for frontline care workers and senior care workers in adult social care under the Health and Care Worker visa. However, higher-skilled roles (e.g., registered nurses or care managers) may qualify under the Skilled Worker visa if the employer has a license. NHS-related positions or suppliers often remain eligible. Check GOV.UK for updates.
2. What are the main requirements for a Health and Care Worker visa?
   You need a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor, a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), relevant qualifications/experience in care (e.g., NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent), English proficiency (e.g., IELTS 4.0+), and a minimum salary (around £20,960–£26,000). You must also pass a criminal record check and pay fees (application: £232–£464; healthcare surcharge: £1,035 per year).
3. How much can I earn in elderly care jobs with visa sponsorship?
   Salaries typically range from £22,000 to £30,000 annually for roles like caregivers or home care workers, depending on experience and location (higher in London). Benefits may include overtime pay, accommodation, training, and relocation support. Some listings, like those on unskilledjob.com, mention entry-level pay starting at £1,500 monthly (about £18,000 yearly), but sponsored roles often meet the minimum threshold.
4. How do I find employers that offer visa sponsorship for foreigners?
   Search job sites like Indeed.co.uk, NHS Jobs, or specialized platforms such as visasponsorshipjob.com and seasonalworkvisa.com. Look for companies with UKVI sponsorship licenses, such as Agincare International (agincare.com) or A1 Care (a1care.co.uk), which actively recruit internationals. The UK government’s list of licensed sponsors on GOV.UK is a key resource.
5. Can I bring my family to the UK on this visa?
   Yes, if you qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa, you can bring your partner and children under 18 as dependents. They may need to meet financial requirements and apply separately. Note that recent policy changes (as per NHS Employers) have increased scrutiny on dependents for care visas.
6. What if my role is affected by the ban— are there alternatives?
   Consider upskilling for eligible roles (e.g., through online courses) or applying to NHS suppliers. If UK options are limited, look into similar sponsored elderly care jobs in countries like Canada or the US, where demand is also high (e.g., via jobservicehub.com listings). Switching from another UK visa (if you’re already here) might be possible.