17/09/2026
IMPORTANT UK IMMIGRATION UPDATE FOR CARE WORKERS
The Home Office has updated its guidance on the cancellation and curtailment of immigration permission, with an important temporary arrangement for sponsored adult social care workers.
Under the updated guidance, the Home Office instructs caseworkers not to cancel a worker’s permission where the sole reason is that their sponsor’s licence has been revoked, provided the person holds permission under the Skilled Worker / Health and Care Worker route as:
• Care Worker – SOC 6135 or 6145
• Senior Care Worker – SOC 6136 or 6146
This is particularly important for care workers who may be worried about their immigration status after their employer loses its sponsor licence.
Important: This does not mean that the visa can never be cancelled. The Home Office states that this is a temporary arrangement and is subject to regular review. If there is another ground for cancellation, the Home Office can consider cancellation in the usual way.
For other sponsored workers, the Immigration Rules continue to provide grounds on which permission may be cancelled, including where:
• sponsorship has been withdrawn
• the sponsor no longer holds a sponsor licence
• employment has ended
• the worker changes employer without the required permission
• there is a relevant change of job or reduction in salary
Where cancellation is discretionary and the reason is outside the migrant’s control, Home Office guidance states that it will normally be appropriate to leave the person with 60 days’ permission, provided sufficient permission remains.
If your employer has lost its sponsor licence, your employment has ended, or you have received a Home Office cancellation letter, it is important to obtain advice based on your individual circumstances.
