Guidance for international workers in the care industry
Sponsorship and visas
Your employer must pay certain sponsorship costs. They cannot ask you to pay them back.
If an employer makes a worker pay these costs, the Home Office can take action. This may include suspending or removing the employer’s sponsorship licence.
If the Home Office suspends your employer’s licence, you can keep working and your rights stay the same while the licence is under review.
If the Home Office removes your employer’s licence, your Certificate of Sponsorship is cancelled. You then have 60 days to either:
- find a new sponsor and apply for a new visa
- leave the UK
Support if your licence is revoked
WM Social Care International Recruitment can help if your employer’s sponsorship license has been revoked and you need support finding re-employment.
- Complete a referral for support
- Lifted app guides you through the process if you’re displaced.
Wellbeing Empowered Solutions CIC provide practical guidance, community support, and wellbeing advice during transitions.
- Contact the Pastoral Service
- Use the contact form on their website
Fees
As the employee, you only need to pay your own visa application fee. Find out how much a Health and Care Worker visa costs.
Your employer must pay:
- the sponsor licence fee
- the cost of issuing your certificate of sponsorship and the skilled worker levy
Working extra hours and the 20 hour rule
You can do additional work on a Health and Care Worker visa, with some conditions.
Find out more about taking a second job.