Exploited UK Migrant Care Workers Charged £10,000 for Visas

Key Takeaways

• As of April 9, 2025, new overseas care workers cannot obtain the Health and Care Worker visa in the UK.
• UNISON 2025 survey shows migrant care workers paid illegal fees up to £20,000 for recruitment and visas.
• Existing visa holders can extend stays until 2028, but new applicants must be UK residents first.

Migrant Care Workers in the UK: Visa Ban, Exploitation, and the High Cost of Entry

As of April 9, 2025, the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 has introduced a sweeping change to its immigration policy: new overseas applicants for general care worker roles are no longer eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa. This decision, announced by the UK government, comes amid growing reports of exploitation, illegal recruitment fees, and mounting pressure to prioritize domestic workers. The move has left thousands of migrant care workers, employers, and families in the care sector facing uncertainty and new challenges.

This article explains what these changes mean, why they were made, and how they affect migrant care workers, employers, and the wider care sector. It also looks at the real costs faced by migrant care workers, including illegal fees that can reach £10,000 or more, and the ongoing debate about fairness, enforcement, and the future of care in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.

What Has Changed for Migrant Care Workers?

Who is affected?
The new rules apply to all overseas applicants seeking general care worker roles (Standard Occupational Classification codes 6135/6136) in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. From April 9, 2025, these applicants are no longer eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa. Only those already in the UK on this visa can continue working and extend their stay until 2028. Employers must now focus on hiring workers already living in the UK.

Why was this change made?
The government says the new policy aims to reduce net migration and encourage the recruitment of domestic workers. Officials also hope that stricter rules will help stop the exploitation of migrant care workers, who have faced illegal fees, poor working conditions, and threats of deportation.

How does this affect current migrant care workers?
Migrant care workers already in the UK on a Health and Care Worker visa can continue working and may extend their visas until 2028. They can also switch to other visa types during this period. However, no new overseas applicants will be accepted for general care worker roles.

The Real Cost of Coming to the UK: Official Fees vs. Illegal Charges

Officially, the Health and Care Worker visa is designed to be affordable and accessible. As of May 2025, the fees are:

• Visa application (up to 3 years): £304 per person
• Visa application (more than 3 years): £590 per person
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): £525 (increased from £239 in April 2025)
• Minimum savings requirement: £1,270 (unless exempt)
• Salary threshold: At least £25,000 per year (£12.82 per hour)
• No dependants: Care workers recruited after March 11, 2024, cannot bring family members with them

Applicants must also have a job offer from a Care Quality Commission (CQC)-registered employer and show that their employer tried to recruit within the UK first.

But the reality for many migrant care workers is very different.
A 2025 survey by UNISON, the UK’s largest union, found that many migrant care workers are being forced to pay illegal fees far above the official costs. According to the survey:

• 24% of over 3,000 migrant care workers paid fees to employers or recruiters before arriving in the UK
• More than 100 workers reported paying between £5,000 and £20,000
• 50 workers paid over £10,000 for visas and recruitment
• Some paid £10,000–£20,000 just for the certificate of sponsorship, which is illegal

These illegal charges often cover recruitment, visa expenses, flights, administrative costs, accommodation, and training. Many workers arrive in the UK already in debt, making them vulnerable to further exploitation.

Summary Table: Official vs. Reported Costs

How the Health and Care Worker Visa Process Works

For those still eligible (mainly current visa holders in the UK), the process for the Health and Care Worker visa is as follows:

1. Job Offer: Secure a job offer from a CQC-registered UK employer.
2. Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Employer issues a CoS, which now costs £525. This is a digital reference number, not a physical document.
3. Visa Application: Apply online and pay the visa fee (£304 for up to 3 years, £590 for more than 3 years). The official application can be found on the UK government website.
4. Financial Evidence: Show at least £1,270 in personal savings, unless exempt.
5. Salary Threshold: The job must pay at least £25,000 per year (£12.82 per hour).
6. No Dependants: New care workers cannot bring family members.
7. Domestic Recruitment Requirement: Employers must prove they tried to recruit within the UK before hiring from overseas.
   8. Processing: Health and Care Worker visas are fast-tracked and do not require payment of the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Important: Charging workers for sponsorship or recruitment is illegal. The Home Office has made it clear that employers and recruiters must not ask for payment for certificates of sponsorship or job offers.

Exploitation and Abuse: What the UNISON Report Reveals

UNISON’s February 2025 report paints a troubling picture of life for many migrant care workers in the UK. The union surveyed more than 3,000 workers and found:

• Widespread illegal fees: 24% paid fees to employers or recruiters before arriving in the UK.
• High costs: Over 100 workers paid between £5,000 and £20,000; 50 paid over £10,000.
• Breakdown of fees: 70% of these payments were for recruitment, 67% for visa expenses, 51% for flights, 51% for admin, 40% for accommodation, and 25% for training.
• Threats and intimidation: Some workers reported threats of dismissal or loss of sponsorship if they complained, creating a climate of fear.
• Poor working conditions: Many arrived to find no work or fewer hours than promised, with deductions for basic items like uniforms and training.

UNISON has called for urgent action, describing the situation as “modern-day slavery.” The union wants stricter enforcement, better oversight, and a total ban on charging workers for sponsorship or recruitment.

Why Are Migrant Care Workers Paying So Much?

Despite clear rules, many migrant care workers are still being charged thousands of pounds for visas and recruitment. This happens for several reasons:

• Lack of enforcement: Some employers and recruiters ignore the rules, knowing that workers are unlikely to complain for fear of losing their jobs or being deported.
• Desperation: Many workers are willing to pay high fees for the chance to work in the UK and support their families.
• Complex supply chains: Recruitment often involves multiple agencies, making it hard to track who is responsible for illegal charges.
• Limited support: Migrant care workers may not know their rights or have access to legal help.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these illegal practices have continued despite government efforts to tighten the rules. The gap between official policy and real-life experience remains wide.

The Impact on Employers and the Care Sector

Employers in the care sector now face new rules and higher costs. Only CQC-registered providers can sponsor care workers, and they must prove they tried to recruit domestically before looking overseas. The cost of a certificate of sponsorship has more than doubled, and the minimum salary for care workers has increased.

These changes are meant to protect workers and encourage domestic recruitment. However, many employers warn that the visa ban for new overseas care workers will make it even harder to fill vacancies. The care sector has long struggled with staff shortages, and some fear that these new rules will make things worse.

The Migration Advisory Committee, an independent body that advises the government, has warned that without better pay and conditions, domestic recruitment will not be enough to fill the gap left by reduced overseas hiring.

The Government’s Response and Future Plans

The UK government has not issued a direct response to the latest UNISON report but has introduced stricter rules, higher salary thresholds, and a ban on dependants for new care workers. Officials say these changes will help reduce exploitation and encourage domestic recruitment.

There is a transition period until 2028 for migrant care workers already in the UK. During this time, they can extend their visas or switch to other visa types. The government may adjust its policies further, depending on how well domestic recruitment works and the ongoing needs of the care sector.

What Should Migrant Care Workers and Employers Do Now?

For migrant care workers:

• Know your rights: It is illegal for employers or recruiters to charge you for certificates of sponsorship or job offers.
• Keep records: Save all documents and receipts related to your recruitment and visa process.
• Seek help: If you are being asked to pay illegal fees or face threats, contact a union like UNISON or a legal advice service.
• Check official guidance: Always use the official UK government website for up-to-date information on visa fees and requirements.

For employers:

• Follow the rules: Only CQC-registered providers can sponsor care workers, and you must prove you tried to recruit domestically first.
• Do not charge illegal fees: Charging workers for sponsorship or recruitment is against the law and can lead to serious penalties.
• Stay informed: Keep up to date with changes to immigration policy and salary thresholds.

For the care sector:

• Plan for change: With the visa ban for new overseas care workers, the sector must focus on recruiting and retaining domestic staff.
• Advocate for fair pay: Better pay and conditions are needed to attract more UK workers to care roles.

The Road Ahead: Challenges and Unanswered Questions

The UK’s decision to ban new overseas care workers from the Health and Care Worker visa is a major shift in immigration policy. While the government hopes to reduce exploitation and build a domestic workforce, many questions remain:

• Will domestic recruitment be enough to fill the gap left by overseas workers?
• Can the government enforce the rules and stop illegal fees?
• What support will be available for migrant care workers already in the UK?
• How will the care sector cope with ongoing staff shortages?

Unions, advocacy groups, and employers will continue to push for better protections and fair treatment for all care workers, regardless of where they come from.

Official Resources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on the Health and Care Worker visa, including fees, requirements, and application forms, visit the official UK government guidance.

Conclusion

The story of migrant care workers in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 is one of hope, hardship, and ongoing struggle. While official visa fees remain relatively low, many workers are still being charged thousands of pounds in illegal fees by recruiters and employers—sometimes over £10,000 for visas and sponsorship. The government’s new rules aim to stop this exploitation and build a domestic workforce, but the care sector faces a difficult road ahead. The future will depend on strong enforcement, fair pay, and support for both migrant and domestic care workers.

Learn Today

Health and Care Worker visa → UK visa for certain health and social care professionals to work legally in the UK.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) → A digital authorization that an employer must issue for a migrant worker’s visa application.
Care Quality Commission (CQC) → The UK regulator that registers and monitors health and social care service providers.
Illegal recruitment fees → Unauthorized charges migrant workers pay recruiters or employers for visas or job placements.
UNISON → The UK’s largest public service trade union representing care workers and other public sector employees.

This Article in a Nutshell

The UK banned new overseas care workers from the Health and Care Worker visa in 2025. Illegal recruitment fees exceed official charges, exploiting migrants. The government aims to protect workers and encourage local hiring, but the care sector faces staff shortages and challenges ahead amid complex immigration policies.
— By VisaVerge.com