The UK Home Office has disclosed that more than a quarter of care workers who arrived in the country under a visa scheme launched in early 2022 were hired by employers and later stripped of their sponsorship licences.
This initiative, designed to address a staffing crisis in the care sector, saw approximately 150,000 overseas care workers enter the UK between 2022 and late 2023.
However, over 39,000 of these workers recruited into low-paid, entry-level roles were impacted by a government crackdown on exploitative practices, with many facing underpayment, mistreatment, or unfulfilled work promises.
Scale of the Crackdown
Between July 2022 and December 2024, the Home Office revoked the sponsorship licences of more than 470 care sector employers as part of its efforts to curb abuse within the visa route.
This followed a surge in immigration, with net migration peaking at over 900,000 in the year to June 2023, driven significantly by care workers and their dependents. Of the 39,000 affected workers, around 10,000 had either left their roles before their employer’s licence was revoked or managed to secure alternative positions in the sector. However, thousands remain unaccounted for, left without income or stability in a system rife with exploitation.
Madeleine Sumption, director of Oxford University’s Migration Observatory, described the care visa route in 2023 as “pretty much the Wild West,” highlighting the prevalence of exploitative practices. While the Conservative government began tightening rules in late 2023 and intensifying scrutiny of applications, Sumption noted that it remains unclear whether these measures have effectively curbed the problem.
Chronic issues in the care sector low wages, poor working conditions, and inadequate oversight—have long fueled such vulnerabilities, leaving overseas workers particularly exposed.
New Rules to Address the Fallout
On March 13, 2025, the Labour government introduced immigration rule changes aimed at tackling the crisis. Employers must now demonstrate efforts to hire from the pool of international care workers already in England before recruiting abroad.
Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care, emphasized the need to support exploited workers, stating, “As we crack down on shameful rogue operators, we must do all we can to get the victims back into rewarding careers in adult social care.” The Home Office hopes this will reduce reliance on overseas hiring while addressing the plight of stranded workers.
Sector Struggles and Systemic Flaws
Despite these efforts, care sector leaders warn that the new rules fail to tackle deeper issues. Jane Townson, chief executive of the Homecare Association, criticized the changes as “politically expedient,” arguing they do not fix a “broken commissioning system” plagued by underfunding and local government practices that depress standards.
She highlighted the severe toll on affected workers, many of whom have endured trauma from exploitation, job loss, or homelessness. Townson stressed that significant support is needed to rebuild trust and enable these individuals to return to work.
Uncertain Future for Care Workers
The Home Office’s clampdown has exposed the fragility of the UK’s care visa scheme, revealing a stark disconnect between immigration policy and sector realities. While the government aims to restore integrity to the system, the combination of rogue employers, inadequate funding, and ongoing recruitment challenges continues to jeopardize both workers and the care industry. For the thousands left in limbo, the path to stable employment remains uncertain, raising urgent questions about how the UK will balance its care needs with fair treatment of its workforce.
