Healthcare assistants and care workers are the most commonly sponsored role category in the UK. The Health and Care Worker visa route makes sponsorship financially viable at salary levels the care sector can afford, with the critical advantage of IHS exemption saving thousands per hire. This guide covers how UK care providers -- nursing homes, homecare agencies, supported living providers and domiciliary care companies -- hire international care workers in 2026.
The Health and Care Worker Route for Care Workers
Care workers and senior care workers qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa, which is a sub-route of the Skilled Worker visa with additional benefits:
H and C Route Benefits for Care Workers
Reduced visa application fee (GBP 284 vs GBP 719 for standard Skilled Worker)
IHS exemption -- saving GBP 3,105 on a 3-year visa or GBP 5,175 on 5 years
Often faster visa processing than standard route
Reduced salary threshold compared to the general GBP 38,700
SOC Codes and Salary Thresholds
These salary thresholds are dramatically lower than the standard GBP 38,700 Skilled Worker threshold. This is why the H and C route has become the primary international recruitment pathway for the UK care sector.
CQC Registration Requirement
To sponsor care workers on the H and C route, your organisation must be regulated by CQC (Care Quality Commission) in England, or the equivalent regulator in Scotland (Care Inspectorate), Wales (CIW) or Northern Ireland (RQIA). Without this registration, you must use the standard Skilled Worker route at the GBP 38,700 threshold.
The Care Worker Visa Restrictions (March 2024 Onwards)
Important Restriction
Since March 2024, care workers sponsored on the H and C route cannot bring dependants (spouses/partners and children) to the UK. This applies to new applications only -- workers sponsored before March 2024 retain dependant rights.
This restriction significantly affects candidate attraction, particularly for married workers with families. It is the single biggest change to the care worker route in recent years.
Source Countries for UK Care Workers
Strongest Pools
India (particularly Kerala) -- largest source. Strong care tradition, English proficiency, familiar with UK healthcare standards.
Philippines -- excellent care culture, strong English, high candidate quality.
Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana -- large and growing pools with strong English.
Nepal, Sri Lanka -- emerging sources with growing UK-focused training programs.
Qualifications and Training
Care workers do not need NMC registration (that is for nurses). The key requirements are:
What Care Workers Need
English at B1 level (SELT test, degree route, or exempt nationality)
Relevant care experience or qualifications from their home country
After arrival: Care Certificate (15 standards, completed within 12 weeks of starting)
DBS check (basic or enhanced depending on the care setting)
Timeline and Costs
Cost for a 3-year hire at small-sponsor rates: approximately GBP 3,100 in government fees (GBP 611 licence + GBP 525 CoS + GBP 1,440 ISC + GBP 284 visa + GBP 0 IHS). Add recruitment and relocation for a total of GBP 5,000-8,000 all-in per hire.
Retention Challenges
Care worker retention is the defining challenge. International care workers face low pay, high cost of living, demanding shift patterns and (since March 2024) separation from their families. High-retention providers invest in:
Retention Strategies That Work
Accommodation support for the first 3-6 months -- this is often the deciding factor
Pay above the visa threshold, not at it
Career progression to senior care worker, team leader, or nurse associate pathways
Regular check-ins at 30, 60 and 90 days focused on practical settlement, not just performance
How Recruitroo Supports UK Care Providers
Recruitroo is the international recruitment platform trusted by UK care providers. We source qualified care workers from India, Philippines, Zimbabwe and beyond, handle the full H and C Worker route, and track compliance across multi-site care groups. Our care clients see near-zero CoS errors and strong first-year retention.
Recruiting care workers for the UK?
Tell us the volume, locations and start dates. We will map the H and C route costs and build a realistic arrival calendar.
Get a QuoteSee Client StoriesThis guide reflects UK Health and Care Worker visa rules for care workers as of May 2026. CQC requirements, dependant restrictions and salary thresholds are subject to change.