The UK government has announced new immigration rules, requiring care providers to prioritise recruiting care workers already in England before hiring from overseas. These changes, which take effect on April 9, 2025, aim to:
- Support existing migrant workers looking for sponsorship.
- Reduce reliance on overseas recruitment in the social care sector.
- Restore order to the immigration system as part of the Plan for Change.
The new rules were laid in Parliament on March 12, 2025 and align with ongoing government efforts to tackle visa abuse, exploitation, and immigration system misuse.
Key Changes in the New Immigration Rules
1. Prioritising Domestic Recruitment in Social Care
From April 9, 2025, care providers in England must:
- Prove they have tried to recruit a care worker already in the UK before hiring from abroad.
- Prioritise care workers in England who need new sponsorship over overseas applicants.
Why this matters:
- Protects migrant workers already in the UK from job insecurity.
- Reduces dependency on foreign labour, encouraging a stronger domestic workforce.
- Ensures ethical hiring practices and prevents worker exploitation.
2. Cracking Down on Visa Abuse in the Short-Term Student Route
Concerns have grown over individuals abusing short-term student visas to enter the UK without genuine study intentions. The government is introducing stricter regulations, including:
- Expanded powers for caseworkers to refuse suspicious visa applications.
- Stronger enforcement measures to ensure students leave the UK after their course ends.
Why this matters:
- Prevents visa misuse and protects the integrity of the immigration system.
- Ensures short-term student visas are used only for genuine educational purposes.
3. New Salary Threshold for Skilled Worker Visas
- The minimum hourly wage for care workers on a Skilled Worker visa will increase to £12.82 per hour.
- Other health and education occupations (e.g., doctors, nurses, teachers) will also see their pay thresholds updated to reflect latest national pay scales.
Why this matters:
- Ensures fair pay for international workers in critical sectors.
- Reduces worker exploitation by preventing underpayment.
- Aligns Skilled Worker visa salaries with the latest ONS data.
4. Clamping Down on Employer Exploitation
- The government has revoked more than 470 sponsor licences in the care sector since July 2022.
- More than 39,000 workers have been affected since October 2020.
- Employers who violate immigration or employment laws will be barred from hiring overseas workers.
Why this matters:
- Protects migrant workers from abusive employers.
- Prevents rogue employers from profiting from illegal hiring practices.
Government Statements on the New Rules
Seema Malhotra, Minister for Migration and Citizenship:
“Those who have come to the UK to support our adult care sector should have the opportunity to do so, free from abuse and exploitation.
Employers in England must now prioritise recruiting care workers already in the UK before hiring from overseas.”
Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care:
“International care workers play a vital role in supporting vulnerable people in the UK.
Prioritising care workers already in the UK will help reduce reliance on international recruitment and ensure the social care sector has the staff it needs.”
Future Immigration Reforms: What’s Next?
The government has announced further immigration changes, including:
- Tighter controls on Student and Graduate visas to prevent misuse.
- The forthcoming Immigration White Paper, outlining new policies to reduce legal migration.
What this means for the UK:
- Stronger enforcement against visa abuse and illegal hiring.
- Increased focus on domestic recruitment over overseas hiring.
- Better protection for migrant workers already in the UK.
The new immigration rules, effective April 9, 2025, represent a major shift in the UK’s approach to migrant worker recruitment. The government aims to:
Support migrant workers already in the UK.
Reduce dependence on overseas labour in the care sector.
Crack down on employer exploitation and visa fraud.
Ensure fair pay for Skilled Worker visa holders.
These new measures will reshape the UK’s immigration landscape while protecting workers and strengthening domestic recruitment.
For full details, visit the UK government’s official immigration website.
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