Social workers believe the government’s proposed 15-year wait for overseas care workers to gain settlement in the UK will harm the social care sector, a poll has found.
The proposal, issued in November, has been branded a “grave injustice” by sector leaders, who warned it would intensify the “crisis” facing the social care workforce.
It follows a sequence of immigration restrictions introduced since 2023 – including the recent ban on new overseas recruitment for care worker roles – that have seen the number of visas for care staff fall by 81% in the year to September 2025.
The majority (87%) of about 1,100 respondents to a recent Community Care poll echoed sector leaders’ warnings, arguing that a prolonged settlement period would harm the social care sector and the people it supports by worsening staff shortages.
Only 6% believed the new policy would boost domestic recruitment, while 7% felt it would have no meaningful impact.
Increased waits for settlement
Under the plans, the standard qualifying period for settlement for immigrants on a skilled worker visa would rise from five to 10 years.
The figure could be then reduced or increased depending on factors such as the worker’s English proficiency, salary, whether they work in public services or the qualification level required for their role.
For roles below RQF level 6 (the equivalent of an undergraduate degree), including care worker jobs, the government proposed a 15-year route.
Care workers an ‘investment’ in the nation’s wellbeing
In comments under the related article, Ademola Sotona called the proposed changes a “punishment and profound injustice” that ignored the “immeasurable benefits” care staff provided by filling vacancies across care homes and community services.
“Their work reduces pressure on the NHS, prevents hospital admissions and saves the state significant costs in long‑term care,” she said.
“[Their] dependants, meanwhile, contribute indirectly by enabling workers to remain in the UK. They often excel in education, becoming future professionals who contribute to the UK economy.”
She argued that care workers and their families were an “investment in the nation’s wellbeing and resilience”, paying taxes, supporting public services with their work and enriching the country with their culture as they integrate into communities.
‘It feels like a betrayal’
International care worker Shins Thomas branded the new rule “painful and unfair”, recalling the government’s rush to bring in foreign workers in the wake of the Covid pandemic to shore up the sector.
“We came - leaving our homes, our families, and everything familiar - believing the UK’s promise of safety and stability. We paid our taxes and tried our best to build a secure future for our children,” they said.
“After all this sacrifice, the proposed change to extend ILR from 5 years to 15 years feels like a betrayal. It feels like the same people who helped the UK survive during its darkest days are being discarded like curry leaves after use.”
‘The need for care will increase’
Phil Sanderson insisted international care workers were essential for the future when the need for social care will increase.
He added: “There is already a huge number of vacancies in social care and the government will worsen that situation by stopping people from coming in. The simple fact is politicians are ramping up racism and have zero interest in funding social care properly.”
Meanwhile, for Sonja, while the policy would have "immeasurable negative consequences”, it did not come as a surprise.
“The UK has a long and illustrious history of discarding ruthlessly the very people who helped, and are still helping, to hold her up," she added.
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