UK Introduces New Immigration Rules for Work and Study

The UK government has unveiled a set of new immigration rules, effective from April 9, aimed at better regulating the recruitment of foreign care workers and tightening visa policies for short-term students. According to the Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care, the changes are designed to prioritize candidates already residing in the UK and to combat abuse of the immigration system.

New Requirements for Care Sector Employers

Employers in the adult care sector must now prioritize foreign workers who are already in the UK and seeking a new sponsor. Only after exhausting local options may they hire workers from abroad.

This measure supports foreign care workers already present in the UK and aims to reduce dependency on international labor. It's part of the government’s “Plan for Change” initiative to align immigration with labor market needs, skills policy, and visa regulations.

From July 2022 to December 2024, the government revoked over 470 sponsorship licenses in the care sector, affecting more than 39,000 employees. The reform also bans employers from charging workers for sponsorship—a practice that led to debt bondage and exploitation.

New Rules for Language Students

The government is tightening scrutiny on short-term English language visas (6–11 months). Many applicants allegedly misuse these visas, entering the country with no intention of studying or leaving after the course ends. Immigration officers will now have more authority to refuse visas on the grounds of suspected misuse.

New Salary Thresholds

In line with updated Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, the minimum hourly wage for Skilled Worker visas will increase to £12.82 (€15) for care workers. Other affected professions include doctors, nurses, and teachers, with similar salary increases. This aims to make the care sector more attractive to domestic candidates and retain qualified professionals.

Ministerial Comments

Immigration Minister Sima Malhotra stated that the reforms protect foreign workers from exploitation and ensure they can work safely in the UK’s care system. She also emphasized stricter enforcement against employers violating labor and immigration laws.

Care Minister Stephen Kinnock highlighted the priority of helping those already in the UK return to work and reducing the country's dependence on overseas recruitment.

The government also plans additional measures to combat abuse in student and graduate visas, which will be detailed in an upcoming policy paper.

Ethical and Practical Concerns

According to The Guardian, the UK increasingly recruits staff from WHO “red list” countries like Nigeria and Ghana, raising ethical and sustainability concerns. Critics call for a comprehensive domestic training strategy.

As Financial Times reports, only 86 new care home places were created in 2024 despite rising demand. Without scaling up local training and infrastructure, limiting foreign recruitment might prove counterproductive.

Conclusion

The UK is undergoing a major overhaul of its immigration system. While reforms may strengthen internal labor markets and reduce exploitation, experts warn of potential side effects, such as staff shortages and over-reliance on narrow policy fixes. A balanced approach is needed to ensure long-term sustainability in both workforce planning and immigration control.