UK to End Recruitment of Foreign Care Workers Under New Immigration Rules

The UK government has announced sweeping immigration reforms that will end the recruitment of foreign care workers, a move set to significantly reshape the country’s care and labour landscape. The new rules were laid before Parliament as part of a broader strategy to cut net migration and tighten visa eligibility.

Under the proposed changes, only individuals with degree-level qualifications—classified as Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6 and above—will be eligible for Skilled Worker visas. This marks a significant increase from the previous threshold of RQF level 3, equivalent to A-level qualifications. The minimum salary requirement for these visas will also rise, from £38,700 to £41,700.

A temporary shortage occupation list will be introduced, covering vital infrastructure roles that fall below the new qualification threshold. However, migrants in these positions will no longer be permitted to bring dependents to the UK or benefit from reduced visa fees or salary discounts. The temporary list will remain in place until the end of 2026.

These changes form part of the government’s new Immigration White Paper and are scheduled to take effect from July 22, pending Parliamentary approval. Migration Minister Seema Malhotra said the reforms are intended to raise the skills bar for incoming workers and reflect updated labour market data, with a full review of salary structures to follow by the independent Migration Advisory Committee.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the reforms as a “complete reset” of the UK’s immigration policy, criticising the previous administration for allowing net migration to quadruple in four years. She said the new approach would help reduce migration, restore control, and prioritise domestic training and upskilling.

The Home Office estimates the reforms could reduce annual migration by up to 100,000. Additional measures expected later this year include tougher English language requirements and a higher immigration skills charge.

However, the decision to phase out foreign care worker visas has been met with strong opposition from within the care sector. GMB national officer Will Dalton called the move “potentially catastrophic,” warning that the industry is heavily dependent on migrant workers. There are currently more than 130,000 vacancies in the sector, and the Home Office estimates that 40,000 care workers have been recruited by “rogue” providers. While transitional arrangements will allow those already in the UK to continue working, concerns remain over how the sector will fill staffing gaps as domestic recruitment ramps up.