Top care companies sponsoring UK work visas (2026)

The UK care sector has faced persistent staffing shortages for over a decade. With an ageing population and a domestic workforce that cannot fill the gap, care providers have turned to international recruitment at scale. The result is that social care and home care employers collectively represent one of the largest blocks of sponsored workers in the country, accounting for a significant share of all Skilled Worker visa certificates issued each year.

Unlike some other sectors where sponsorship is concentrated in large multinational companies, care sponsorship is spread across thousands of providers — from large national groups operating hundreds of homes to regional operators with a handful of locations. That breadth means there are genuine opportunities across the UK, not just in London.

Not all care sponsors are equally strong targets. Before applying, check two things alongside their sponsor status: their Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating and their Certificate of Sponsorship history.

The CQC rating tells you how the employer performs as a care provider — rated Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. A provider rated Requires Improvement or Inadequate is a higher-risk employer in general, but also specifically for international workers: enforcement action from the Home Office often follows CQC concerns about care employers. Prioritise providers with Good or Outstanding ratings.

The CoS history tells you how actively an employer has used their sponsor licence. A care company that holds an A-rated licence and has issued dozens or hundreds of Certificates of Sponsorship is a fundamentally different prospect from one that registered a licence years ago and has rarely used it. The table below ranks employers by CoS volume to help you identify the most active sponsors.

Also check whether the employer operates multiple locations. Large care groups with sites across different regions often have more consistent recruitment pipelines than single-location providers, which means a more structured sponsorship process and less reliance on a specific vacancy appearing at the right moment.

Care workers and home carers fall under a separate set of salary rules from the general Skilled Worker route. The minimum salary floor for care roles is currently £23,200 per year — significantly below the £38,700 general threshold. However, this lower floor comes with strict conditions: the employer must be registered with the Care Quality Commission, and you must be employed directly (not through a third-party staffing agency or labour provider).

For senior care assistant and care supervisor roles, the applicable SOC code and going rate may differ from standard care worker codes. Always check the current going rate for your specific occupation code on the Home Office website before accepting an offer, as care sector salary rules have been adjusted several times in recent years.

Unfortunately, the care sector has seen cases of exploitative employers targeting international workers. Before committing to an application or paying any fees, take these steps:

Verify the sponsor licence on the official register. Search the employer name on the UKVI employer checker and confirm they hold an active A-rated licence.

Check their CQC registration. A legitimately operating care employer will appear on the CQC register. If they cannot be found or are rated Inadequate, reconsider.

Never pay sponsorship fees. No legitimate employer will ask you to contribute to Immigration Skills Charges, visa application fees, or sponsor licence costs. This is a legal requirement: employers must bear these costs themselves.

Read reviews and check employee feedback. Sites like Glassdoor and Indeed have reviews from workers at many care providers. A pattern of complaints about unpaid wages, contract changes after arrival, or poor management is a strong warning sign.