69% of Overseas Care Workers May Leave UK Under New Visa Rules, Risking 4.2 Million Hours of Care a Week
Up to 69% of overseas care workers in the UK would leave or consider leaving if the government introduces a 15-year route to settlement, according to new research from Lifted — putting more than 4.2 million hours of care at risk each week.
The survey of 1,162 sponsored care workers highlights the potential consequences of proposals to extend settlement timelines, with care workers facing a 15-year route — five years longer than any other occupation. Frontline providers are already struggling to recruit and retain staff and a loss of this scale would significantly reduce capacity across the sector and disrupt care for hundreds of thousands of people.
International recruits now deliver around 40% of care in England, meaning any large-scale exit would have immediate consequences for services already under strain.
If reflected across the wider workforce of approximately 153,000 sponsored care workers, this could mean over 100,000 workers exiting the sector over time — affecting care for an estimated 250,000–280,000 people, with knock-on effects for families and increased strain on NHS services.
Many respondents described the proposals as a breach of trust, having moved to the UK on the understanding of a five-year pathway to settlement. The most common reasons for considering leaving included rising visa and family costs, and uncertainty about long-term security.
Miranda, a care worker from Uganda, who has lived in the UK for nearly four years, said: “It feels like the goalposts have been moved. I came here, built a life, and kept my side of the bargain — now I’m being told that’s not enough. If this goes ahead, I would seriously consider leaving. Many others feel the same.
“I also really worry about the people we care for. Some of them can’t get out of bed, eat, or wash without support. Decisions like this will hurt them.”
The proposed changes would create a three-tier settlement system, with nurses remaining on a five-year route, most workers moving to 10 years, and care workers alone facing a 15-year pathway.
Gavin Preston, Managing Director of Right at Home, a care provider in Liverpool, said: “These proposals are deeply worrying. We rely on sponsored care workers to deliver safe, timely care — without them, services like ours simply couldn’t operate. If large numbers leave, as this research suggests, thousands of vulnerable people will go without essential, often life-critical support.
“These roles are very unlikely to be filled domestically. In our experience, there simply isn’t sufficient interest from the local workforce, which is why we rely so heavily on overseas staff.”
Rachael Crook, CEO of Lifted, said: “Extending the settlement route for care workers to 15 years risks driving experienced staff out of a system that already cannot function without them. If the government’s goal is stability in health and social care, this policy moves in the opposite direction. It sends a clear message: that care work is not valued, and that the people who left everything behind to care for our citizens are not welcome.”
Lifted is calling on the government to remove the 15-year provision and apply the same settlement route as other occupations, while protecting those already in the UK under the existing five-year pathway.
Nadra Ahmed CBE, Executive Co-Chairman at National Care Association said: “This report lays out the stark facts from those delivering care every day. At a time when vacancies remain above 110,000, the sector cannot afford to lose experienced staff. There has to be a realisation amongst decision-makers that the safe delivery of care is the bedrock of an efficient healthcare system. Only social care can begin the journey to reinstate the system that was once the envy of the world. Keeping those we support at the heart of everything we do needs a strong, resilient workforce who are valued and rewarded.”
