In This Guide
The UK care sector faces a significant staffing crisis, with an estimated 152,000 vacancies in adult social care in 2025. This shortage means that thousands of care homes across the UK are actively recruiting international workers and offering visa sponsorship through the Health and Care Worker visa route.
Whether you are an experienced carer looking for your first UK role or already in the UK and wanting to switch to a better employer, this guide will help you find legitimate care home jobs with visa sponsorship and avoid common pitfalls.
UK Care Job Market Overview 2026
The UK care sector is one of the largest employers in the country, with over 1.5 million people working in adult social care. Despite this, the sector has struggled with recruitment and retention for years, creating significant opportunities for international workers.
152K
Unfilled vacancies in adult social care
12,500+
Licensed care sponsors in the UK
120K+
Health and Care Worker visas issued in 2025
The most in-demand roles include care assistants, senior care workers, registered nurses, support workers, and home carers. Care homes, nursing homes, domiciliary care agencies, and supported living providers all actively sponsor international workers.
How to Find Care Home Jobs with Sponsorship
CareVisa Sponsor Database
Search our verified database of 12,500+ licensed care sponsors. Filter by location, CQC rating, and organisation type. Every sponsor is verified against the Home Office register. Search sponsors free.
Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors
The official government register lists all employers with a valid Sponsor Licence. Download the register and filter by sector (Health or Social Care) to find employers in your area. Updated regularly.
Job Boards with Sponsorship Filters
Use Indeed, NHS Jobs, and Totaljobs with the “visa sponsorship” filter enabled. Search for “care worker sponsorship” or “care assistant visa sponsorship” to find current vacancies.
Specialist Recruitment Agencies
Some recruitment agencies specialise in placing international care workers with UK employers. They can help with the application process, interview preparation, and relocation logistics. Be cautious of agencies that charge excessive fees.
Direct Applications
Visit the websites of care home groups directly. Large chains like HC-One, Barchester Healthcare, Care UK, and Four Seasons Health Care regularly recruit internationally. Check their careers pages for sponsorship opportunities.
What to Look For in a Sponsor Employer
Not all sponsors are equal. Here is a checklist of what to evaluate when considering a care home employer:
Salary Expectations 2026
| Role | Typical Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Care Assistant | £23,200–£25,000 | £11.90–£12.80 |
| Senior Care Worker | £24,000–£27,000 | £12.30–£13.85 |
| Home Carer (Domiciliary) | £23,200–£26,000 | £11.90–£13.33 |
| Registered Nurse (Care Home) | £29,970–£35,000 | £15.37–£17.95 |
| Nurse (London/South East) | £32,000–£40,000 | £16.40–£20.51 |
Night shifts typically attract a premium of £1–£2 per hour. Weekend and bank holiday shifts may also attract enhanced rates depending on the employer.
Beyond salary: Consider the total package including accommodation support, training opportunities, pension contributions, visa fee coverage, and career progression when comparing offers.
Top UK Regions for Care Worker Demand
Care worker demand exists across the entire UK, but some regions have significantly higher vacancy rates and more active international recruitment:
South East England
Highest number of care homes and largest vacancy rates. Includes Kent, Surrey, Hampshire, and Sussex. Higher salaries but higher cost of living.
East of England
Strong demand in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire. Many rural care homes struggling to recruit locally. More affordable living costs.
South West England
Large ageing population creating high demand. Somerset, Devon, Dorset, and Cornwall. Beautiful location but more rural with limited public transport.
East Midlands
Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, and Lincoln areas. Affordable cost of living with good transport links. Growing number of care providers with sponsor licences.
Yorkshire & Humber
Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, and Hull areas. Very affordable living costs. Large care sector with many providers actively recruiting internationally.
West Midlands
Birmingham, Coventry, and surrounding areas. Large and diverse communities. Good transport connections and affordable housing compared to London.
London note: While London has many care vacancies, the cost of living is significantly higher. Salaries in London are typically £1,000–£3,000 higher than elsewhere, but this may not offset the higher housing and transport costs. Consider the Midlands and North for better value.
Application Tips
Prepare your documents early
Gather your English test results, qualifications, work references, and criminal record certificate before applying. Having everything ready speeds up the process significantly.
Tailor your CV to UK standards
Use a UK-format CV (no photo, no date of birth, no marital status). Focus on care experience, training, and relevant skills. Keep it to 2 pages maximum.
Research the care home before your interview
Check their CQC report, read about their care philosophy, and prepare questions about their training programmes and career development opportunities.
Apply to multiple employers
Do not rely on a single application. Apply to 5–10 suitable employers to increase your chances. The more applications you send, the more interview opportunities you will get.
Ask the right questions during interviews
Ask about visa fee support, accommodation help, training opportunities, shift patterns, and career progression. A good employer will be open and transparent about all of these.
Red Flags to Avoid
Asking you to pay for sponsorship or recruitment
Legitimate employers never charge workers for sponsorship. This is illegal under UK law. Report any employer who asks for payment.
Vague job descriptions or salary details
If the employer cannot clearly explain the role, salary, or working conditions, this is a warning sign. Everything should be transparent and in writing.
No CQC registration or poor CQC rating
All care providers must be CQC registered. Check their rating. Avoid providers rated “Inadequate” as they may face closure or licence revocation.
Pressure to sign contracts quickly
Take time to read contracts carefully. If an employer pressures you to sign immediately without giving you time to review, consider this a red flag.
Requiring repayment clauses for leaving early
Some employers include clauses requiring you to repay visa costs if you leave within a certain period. While some repayment clauses are legal, excessive ones are not. Seek advice before signing.
Stay safe: For more on your rights, see our sponsorship guide. Report exploitation to the GLAA on 0800 432 0804.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find care home jobs with visa sponsorship?
Use CareVisa's database of 12,500+ verified sponsors, check the Home Office register, search job boards with “visa sponsorship” filters, or contact specialist care recruitment agencies.
What salary can I expect for a sponsored care home job?
The minimum is £23,200/year (£11.90/hour). Most care homes offer £23,200–£26,000 for care assistants. Senior roles and nurses earn more. London and the South East pay higher but have higher living costs.
Which UK regions have the most care worker demand?
The South East, East of England, South West, East Midlands, and Yorkshire & Humber have the highest demand. Rural areas often have the greatest shortages.
What should I look for in a sponsor employer?
Check for an A-rated sponsor licence, good CQC rating, transparent salary, visa fee support, career development opportunities, and positive staff reviews.
Can I apply for care home jobs from outside the UK?
Yes. Most care homes recruit internationally via video interviews. Once you receive your CoS, apply for the visa from your home country. Processing takes approximately 3 weeks.
Do I need experience to get a sponsored care home job?
While experience is preferred, many care homes provide full training. Having a relevant qualification and good English skills will strengthen your application.