Numerous international social workers in the UK claim they have been financially exploited, paying thousands of pounds to land full-time positions, only to frequently find little or no work available upon arrival.

According to experts, the frequency of these cases has increased recently as a result of the government's relaxation of the visa requirements for caregiving in an effort to address persistent staffing shortages. What is taking place, and why? 

It has always been challenging to find personnel for the care industry. Due to its long hours, arduous labor, and often poor pay, the industry has historically had greater employee turnover and vacancy rates than the overall economy.

Things were worse than ever because of the combination of post-Brexit immigration limits and staff resignations that occurred both during and after the Covid epidemic. There were 160,000 open positions in 2022–2023, according to Skills for Care, a foundation that anticipates 480,000 more employment in the industry by 2035.

In response, the government made it simpler for firms to hire foreign workers by adding care work to the official list of occupations deemed difficult to fill.

In order to attract certified health professionals into the nation, a corporation can register with the Home Office prior to granting sponsorship certificates, and the wage level is lower than for other visa routes into the UK. A firm must be subject to Care Quality Commission regulation and not have had a license revoked within the previous 12 months in order to be eligible for one.

The majority of businesses that employ sponsorship certificates are in highly skilled industries like technology, finance, and consulting. They are simple to implement, and the system generally functions in industries where workers are not likely to be subjected to abusive working conditions.

But because there are so many underpaid, easily exploitable workers in the care industry, the simplicity of providing credentials turns into a problem. Furthermore, it seems that the Home Office lacks the resources necessary to adequately oversee employers. One compliance officer for every 1,600 companies permitted to sponsor migrant workers was employed by the agency, according to a recent study written by former head inspector of borders David Neal.

The Guardian met with almost all of the caregivers, and their accounts were similar. They said that despite paying immigration agents hundreds of pounds to get a visa and begin working in the UK, the jobs indicated on their sponsorship certificate never happened.

Employees claimed to have paid agencies directly before traveling. Professional caregivers have been accused by several authorities of being used as cheap laborers for tasks ranging from transportation to cleaning.

Holders of care worker visas are permitted to work an extra 20 hours per week for another employer; however, this is meant to supplement, not replace, their normal employment.

Employees are free to quit their employment, but doing so may jeopardize their immigration status. Experts claim that the 60 days that they have after quitting a sponsor to look for another is insufficient for many people to obtain other employment.