Major Policy U-Turn Saves Care Workers From Visa Uncertainty

One of the UK’s biggest unions says thousands of care workers can now “sleep easy” after HC-One reversed its visa policy.

The decision follows a GMB campaign and comes amid major changes to the UK’s immigration system.

Around 3,000 care workers were at risk of deportation after HC-One said it would only sponsor staff considered to be business critical. The provider is the largest residential care operator in the UK.

The shift stemmed from new immigration rules effective from July 22, 2025. These rules ended the sponsorship of new care workers and senior care workers.

The Government has set out a contribution-based system. Most migrants will need 10 years in the UK before being eligible for settlement. Higher earners and workers in priority public service roles may qualify sooner.

Low-paid roles sit in the most restrictive category.

Under the proposals, low-paid occupations, including roles across adult social care, will face a 15-year baseline before they can settle. It is the longest settlement route of any group in the new model.

Over 30,000 people have since signed an open letter from Providers Unite, which expressed “deep concern” about the proposals set out in the government’s ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’.

The changes follow the closure of the Health and Care Worker Visa route in May. The Government says this reflects its aim to reduce future settlement opportunities for the care workforce.

But HC-One has now reversed its approach after pressure from GMB.

More than 700 people signed a petition against the initial plan. The provider says it will sponsor any current worker who meets Government criteria.

Will Dalton, GMB National Officer, said: “HC-one’s initial visa change would have forced out thousands of loyal, experienced care workers out of the country.

“It would have completely devalued professionals who have shown years of dedication to residents.”

“Now, they can sleep easy.

“We’ve got to congratulate HC-One for rethinking; they’re going to value quality over quantity and bring confidence to migrant workers dedicated to providing care.”

The union says the reversal offers stability to staff who feared sudden disruption to their lives. It also argues the decision shows how collective pressure can shape outcomes for the workforce.