UK care worker visa rules squeeze Nigerians and Zimbabweans in the sector

Home Office figures show that Nigerian and Zimbabwean nationals received more than 120,000 extensions of the UK Health and Care Worker visa in the year ending March 2026, even as new recruitment from abroad has been shut down. Proposed immigration changes could affect how those already working in Britain's £15 billion adult social care sector remain in the country.

Key facts

• 89,575 Health and Care Worker visa extensions went to Nigerian nationals in the year ending March 2026
• 31,117 extensions went to Zimbabwean nationals in the same period — a combined total of 120,692
• India topped the list with 107,306 extensions; Nigeria and Zimbabwe ranked second and third
• New overseas recruitment of care workers through the visa route ended in July 2025
• Existing workers could be moved to the Skilled Worker route from July 2028 under proposed changes

What do the figures show?

Home Office immigration statistics for the year ending March 2026 record 89,575 Health and Care Worker visa extensions granted to Nigerian nationals and 31,117 granted to Zimbabwean nationals. Together the two countries accounted for 120,692 extensions, placing them behind India's total of 107,306.

The figures count extensions of permission to stay, not new arrivals. The Home Office ended the overseas recruitment of new care workers through the Health and Care Worker visa route in July 2025, although workers already in the country could still apply to extend their stay.

What is changing?

Health and Care Worker visas issued to main applicants and dependants fell 38% year-on-year to 42,658 in the year ending March 2026. Visas granted to workers in caring personal service occupations dropped 82%, from 107,772 in the year ending December 2023 to 1,397 in the year ending March 2026.

The decline reflects both reduced applications and policy changes, including the end of overseas recruitment for care workers. Extension numbers have stayed high because existing staff are still applying to extend their permission to remain.

What could happen to workers already in the UK?

Proposed changes could require existing care workers to switch to the Skilled Worker route from July 2028, potentially exposing them to higher salary requirements. Separately, settlement reforms could extend the standard qualifying period for permanent residency from five to 10 years.

The source notes that it is unclear how many workers would be directly affected by the government's changes, and care providers say tighter immigration rules could make it harder to recruit and retain overseas staff.

What this means for travellers

Nationals of Nigeria and Zimbabwe already working in UK adult social care on the Health and Care Worker route should watch for confirmation of the proposed changes and check what route and salary thresholds would apply to any extension or settlement application. No date has been announced for final decisions on the proposed measures.

Any move to the Skilled Worker route would add to uncertainty for migrant workers and their employers, and could complicate decisions about remaining in Britain, the source states.