Major changes are on the horizon for Zimbabwean nationals and other foreign workers looking to relocate to the UK. As of 22 July 2025, the UK government will stop accepting new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) applications for care worker and senior care worker roles from individuals based outside the country.
This change effectively closes a previously popular and relatively accessible immigration pathway for many seeking employment in the UK’s care sector.
Once the new policy takes effect, only individuals already residing in the UK will be eligible to apply for sponsorship in care roles.
Even then, eligibility is limited. Applicants must:
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Be legally employed in the UK under one of the approved occupation codes listed in the revised SOC 2020 framework.
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Have worked for the sponsoring employer for at least three months prior to the issuance of the CoS.
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Submit their application before 22 July 2028 or already hold sponsorship under the same Skilled Worker occupation codes.
The existing Shortage Occupation List—often used to prioritize visa applications and offer lower salary thresholds—is being discontinued. It will be replaced by a Temporary Shortage List (TSL) under the Skilled Worker visa system.
While the new TSL covers a broader range of medium-skilled roles (RQF 3–5), it eliminates several higher-skilled roles (RQF 6+) from shortage designation. These higher-skilled roles remain eligible for sponsorship but must meet stricter salary requirements.
Jobs under the TSL will no longer benefit from salary concessions previously available under the shortage designation.
Additionally, in a significant policy shift, sponsored workers under the TSL will no longer be permitted to bring dependants—including spouses and children—with them to the UK after 22 July 2025.
Some notable changes include the removal of certain construction roles (e.g., bricklayers, roofers, retrofitters) from the priority list. The updated focus is now on roles such as plumbers, floorers, painters, decorators, and general builders.
This new policy is expected to make the UK less accessible for many foreign workers, particularly those with families, and may significantly impact the care and construction industries.
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