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The UK Government has announced changes to immigration rules that will take effect in April 2025. These updates will affect employers hiring international workers, especially in the care sector. Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s changing and how it might impact your business.
1. New Recruitment Rules for Care Workers in England
Starting 9 April 2025, care providers in England must first try to recruit from the existing pool of skilled workers already in the UK before sponsoring new workers from overseas. Employers will need to confirm with regional or sub-regional partnerships that they have made genuine efforts to hire locally. This rule is designed to give priority to workers already in the UK, ensuring they have opportunities before new recruits are brought in from abroad.
Note: These changes do not apply to care workers in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, or to workers already sponsored before the changes take effect.
2. Increase in Minimum Salary Thresholds
The minimum salary for Skilled Worker visa applicants will increase from £23,200 per year (£11.90 per hour) to £25,000 per year (£12.82 per hour). This adjustment is based on the latest wage data and keeps salaries above the National Living Wage.
3. Changes to Salary Deductions and Sponsorship Costs
New rules will regulate salary deductions to protect Skilled Worker visa holders. Employers will no longer be able to pass sponsorship costs onto workers, and a loophole allowing applicants to contribute to their own salary by investing in their sponsor’s business has been closed.
Compliance with these rules is essential to avoid penalties, including sponsorship license revocation.
4. New Requirements for ‘New Entrant’ Salary Discounts
Applicants claiming a lower salary threshold based on training for a professional qualification must now have a UK qualification. This change means salary discounts are only available to those engaged in UK-based professional development.
Incorrect applications could result in visa refusals or compliance breaches.
5. Government Action on Exploitation and Visa Abuse
Since July 2022, the government has revoked over 470 sponsor licenses in the care sector, affecting more than 39,000 workers. These new measures are meant to improve oversight of visa sponsorship and stop rogue employers from exploiting international workers.
What Do Employers Need to Do?
Here’s a quick summary of the steps employers should take to prepare for these changes:
- Care Providers in England:
- Be ready to adjust hiring processes to meet the new local recruitment requirements.
- Build relationships with regional partnerships to confirm recruitment efforts and stay compliant.
- Plan ahead for potential delays in hiring overseas workers due to the new prioritisation of local candidates.
- All Employers:
- Check that salaries for new hires meet the updated minimum of £25,000 per year (£12.82 per hour).
- For healthcare and education roles, align salaries with national pay scales.
- Avoid passing sponsorship costs onto workers and guarantee salaries are not artificially inflated.
- Verify that new hires claiming salary discounts have UK qualifications.
- Stay compliant with sponsorship rules to avoid penalties, such as losing licenses.
Conclusion
The changes to UK immigration rules in April 2025 will require employers to update their hiring and compliance processes. Care providers in England, in particular, might face new difficulties in filling important positions due to limitations in recruiting overseas workers.
Our local team can help you understand and prepare for these changes, so you can continue to hire and support the international talent your business needs while following UK immigration rules.
Talk to us for personalized support.
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