UK Care Worker Visa: List of Grade A Sponsors Paying £23,200 Salary & Relocation Allowance for Nigerians

Despite recent changes to immigration rules, the UK Health and Care Worker Visa remains the most popular “Japa” route for Nigerians in 2026. While the UK government has tightened rules on bringing dependents, the critical shortage of staff in the NHS and private care homes means recruitment from overseas is still active.

Crucially, the salary threshold for Care Workers is significantly lower than the general skilled worker threshold. While a banker needs to earn £38,700 to get a visa, a Care Worker only needs a minimum of £23,200 (based on 2026 national pay scales). This guide explains how to find legitimate “Grade A” sponsors and what relocation packages typically include.

The 2026 Rules: What Has Changed?

Before you apply, you must understand the new landscape:

• Dependents Restricted: As of early 2024, standard Care Workers (SOC Code 6145) and Senior Care Workers (SOC Code 6146) cannot bring partners or children. Exception: Registered Nurses and Doctors can still bring families.
• CQC Regulation: Your sponsor must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). If a care home is not CQC regulated, they cannot sponsor your visa. This was introduced to stop “shell company” scams.
• Salary Floor: The minimum salary must be at least £23,200 per year or £11.90 per hour, whichever is higher.

List of Grade A Sponsors (How to Find Them)

You typically need a “Grade A” Sponsor. This rating means the company has a trusted history with the Home Office and can issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) quickly.

How to search the official register:

1. Go to the GOV.UK Register of Licensed Sponsors.
2. Download the CSV file.
3. Filter the “Town/City” column for areas with high elderly populations (e.g., Norfolk, Cornwall, Devon).
4. Filter the “Route” column for “Skilled Worker” or “Health and Care.”
5. Search for these companies on Google to find their “Careers” page. Do not apply if they don’t have a website.

Typical “Relocation Packages” for 2026

Because competition for staff is fierce, many UK employers offer “Relocation Packages” to Nigerian applicants. A good offer usually includes:

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Paid for by the employer (£199 – £536).
• Immigration Skills Charge: Paid by the employer (£364 – £1,000 per year).
• Flight Ticket: One-way economy ticket from Lagos/Abuja to London/Manchester.
• Accommodation: 1-3 months of free or subsidized accommodation upon arrival.
• OSCE Training (for Nurses): Fully funded training and exam fees.

Note: You usually still have to pay your Visa Application Fee (~£284 – £551) and TB Test fee.

The Role of Recruitment Agencies

Many UK care homes do not hire directly; they use recruitment agencies. Legitimate agencies get paid by the hospital/care home, not by you.

Red Flags (SCAM ALERT):

• Agencies asking you to pay a “Registration Fee” or “Profile Fee” (e.g., N200,000).
• Agencies using a free email address (e.g., [email protected]).
• Agencies guaranteeing a CoS in 2 weeks.

Why This Route Still Works for Nigerians

Even without the ability to bring dependents immediately, the Care Worker visa is a powerful stepping stone. Once you are in the UK:

1. You earn pounds (GBP), allowing you to support family back home.
2. You can upskill. Many care workers study for Nursing or Social Work qualifications while working.
3. Once you qualify as a Nurse or move to a senior role (Band 5+), you can switch visas and bring your family over later.

The path is harder in 2026, but the door is still open for those who are resilient and diligent in their search.

Official UK Health & Care Visa Guidance

Disclaimer:

Note: We are a news blog. We do not issue visas or Certificates of Sponsorship. Recruitment scams are common; never pay a “job finding fee” to an agent. Only UK employers can issue a CoS.