A New Wave of Skilled Worker Visa Refusals: What Care Employers Must Know
Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a concerning spike in the number of Skilled Worker visa refusals, particularly affecting care workers in England. These refusals are not isolated cases or due to missing documentation, they are a direct result of new, stricter requirements under the Immigration Rules, especially for sponsors in the health and care sector.
Case Snapshot: Client X
Client X recently applied for a Skilled Worker visa as a care worker in England. Despite:
Holding a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS),
Meeting the English language requirement, and
Providing documents showing active employment,
Their application was refused. The reason? The sponsor failed to meet the new obligations under SW 6.1B and SW 6.1C of Appendix Skilled Worker.
What’s Changed?
If you’re sponsoring care workers under SOC codes 6145 (Care Workers) or 6146 (Senior Care Workers) in England, the rules now require:
Attempted recruitment from within a designated pool of displaced care workers already in the UK, including:
Those whose previous sponsors lost their licence;
Those not provided sufficient work;
Or those identified by regional or sub-regional partnerships (hubs) as needing redeployment.
Evidence of this engagement with your local regional partnership hub.
A sponsor note on the CoS explaining:
That recruitment was attempted through this channel; and
That no suitable worker was available.
Why Are Applications Being Refused?
In Client X’s case, the sponsor:
Did not consult with a local regional hub;
Failed to add sponsor notes on the CoS to confirm recruitment attempts;
Could not demonstrate that the applicant had been employed in the relevant role for at least 3 months prior to the application.
As a result, the Home Office awarded:
20 points for sponsorship
10 points for English language
0 points for job at the appropriate skill level
0 tradeable points
Total: 30 points out of the required 70, leading to a full refusal.
Key Lessons for Employers
If you are a care sector sponsor in England, you must now:
Register with your local regional/sub-regional hub
These partnerships are responsible for redeploying displaced care workers. If you’re not registered, you cannot meet the SW 6.1C requirements.
Document your recruitment efforts
You must demonstrate that you tried to recruit from the eligible Skilled Worker pool and that no one suitable was found, this must be clearly recorded on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Ensure workers meet the 3-month rule
If you are relying on an argument that the worker has already been working for you in a qualifying role, you must prove they have done so for at least 3 months prior to the visa application.
Train your HR and compliance teams
Most sponsors are unaware of the SW 6.1C changes, and that lack of awareness is now resulting in avoidable refusals.
Don’t Risk Your Licence, Act Now
This new spate of refusals is a warning sign. Sponsors who fail to follow the updated procedures risk not only the rejection of applications but potential scrutiny of their compliance and sponsorship practices.
If your organisation has received a refusal or is unsure how to meet these obligations, now is the time to act. Administrative reviews are only possible in limited circumstances, prevention is far better than correction.
How We Can Help
We offer:
Sponsor compliance audits
Support with regional hub registration
Drafting compliant CoS sponsor notes
Advice and representation on administrative reviews
Let’s work together to prevent future refusals and protect both your workforce and your sponsor licence.
Contact us today for tailored support.
Book a consultation – [https://calendly.com/info-56205/business-immigration-consultation?month=2025-07 ]
Send us an email – info@tulia.org.uk
