Obstacles Faced by Care Workers Under the Health and Care Worker Visa and what Tulia is doing.
Many overseas care workers on the UK’s Health and Care Worker Visa provide crucial support in hospitals and care homes – yet they face significant obstacles tied to their immigration status. This visa program, while intended to fill critical staffing gaps, often leaves migrant care workers vulnerable to exploitation, job insecurity, and immense stress. Under current rules, a care worker’s right to stay in the UK is tethered to a single employer and job. If that job ends, so can their visa, putting them at risk of deportation . This dependency creates a power imbalance that bad employers can and do take advantage of.
Challenges under the current visa system include:
• Visa tied to one employer: The Health and Care Worker visa links a worker’s legal status to a specific sponsoring employer . They cannot freely change jobs – any move requires a new sponsorship and visa update. This restrictive setup makes workers reluctant to speak up about mistreatment, since leaving or losing the job could cost them their residence in the UK . Citizens Advice notes this dynamic “seriously reduces a person’s ability to enforce their rights at work or even leave an exploitative job.”
• Wage theft and financial exploitation: Unfortunately, cases have emerged of migrant care workers not being paid what they’re owed or being charged unfair fees. In one instance, a group of care assistants went two months with no pay, but were afraid to complain; being fired would give them just 60 days to find another sponsored job or face deportation . “I feel like we’re being treated as slaves,” one distressed worker told a Citizens Advice adviser when describing that situation . Such fear of retaliation is common – losing the job means losing the visa, so many endure illegal conditions quietly. It’s no surprise that an analysis found 1 in 3 migrant care workers were paid less than they should have been, alongside others experiencing excessive hours or discrimination .
• Excessive hours and abuse of rights: Some sponsors impose gruelling schedules on migrant carers, knowing they have limited options to refuse. There are reports of individuals working 14-hour days for as little as £60 in pay, or being on-call 24/7 for months without a day off . When one senior carer protested her impossible workload, she was threatened with dismissal – and the loss of her visa if she didn’t comply . This kind of “workplace hell” thrives because the workers feel trapped: they can’t simply quit and find another job due to the visa restrictions.
• Mental and emotional strain: The combination of high-pressure caregiving duties and constant immigration uncertainty takes a heavy toll on workers’ mental health. Many also arrive under financial strain – some owe thousands in recruitment debts to agencies back home – which adds pressure to keep any job at all costs. With no recourse to public funds (no access to most benefits or housing help), a migrant care worker who loses their job can instantly spiral into destitution. The result is a workforce under incredible stress, often isolated and unsure where to turn for help.
Faced with these challenges, it’s clear that migrant care staff need stronger support systems. While government policy is slow to change, community organizations have begun stepping up to fill the gap. One such initiative in Coventry is offering a lifeline to those on the Health and Care Worker visa.
Tulia’s Drop-In Support Sessions for Care Workers
Tulia, a migrant advocacy and legal support organization based in Coventry, has launched a weekly drop-in advice session specifically for health and social care workers on sponsored visas. These sessions are designed as a safe, accessible resource for care workers who may feel trapped or uncertain about their rights. If you’re a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) holder in health or social care, Tulia is here for you. No appointment or payment is required – workers can simply walk in and get help.
This weekly session offers:
• Free expert advice on rights and visa options: Attendees receive guidance from qualified immigration and employment advisers about their legal rights, visa conditions, and options if they are experiencing problems at work . Whether it’s understanding contract terms or what to do if facing unfair treatment, trained experts are on hand to inform and advise.
• Tailored support and one-on-one guidance: The environment is welcoming and confidential, allowing care workers to discuss their individual situations in detail. Tulia’s team provides personalized advice, helps review documents (like contracts or payslips), and can outline possible next steps — from negotiating with an employer to finding a new sponsor — based on each person’s circumstances . This case-by-case support means no concern is too small or too complex to be addressed.
• A listening ear for concerns: Importantly, the drop-in offers more than just legal facts – it offers a compassionate space. Staff and volunteers lend a listening ear to any worries or experiences the workers want to share. Many care workers have felt isolated or unheard, so simply having someone who understands the migrant experience can be a huge relief. Tulia takes a holistic approach, recognizing that emotional support and validation are part of helping workers regain confidence.
• Weekly accessibility in Coventry: Sessions are held every Thursday from 2:00–4:00 PM at Methodist Central Hall in Coventry city centre . The location is easy to reach for people in Coventry and Warwickshire. No booking is necessary – individuals can just drop in as needed . By making it a regular weekly event, Tulia ensures that help is consistently available. Care workers can come at the first sign of trouble, rather than waiting for a crisis. And because the service is free of charge, no one is turned away due to inability to pay.
Tulia’s drop-in sessions have already made a positive impact. They empower healthcare workers with knowledge and support so that no one faces these challenges alone. “We’ve got your back,” the organization assures caregivers, helping reduce the fear and stress that have become all too common in this visa group . By resolving issues early – whether it’s an unfair contract, a visa question, or just stress from the job – initiatives like this help prevent small problems from snowballing into life-altering crises. Crucially, Tulia also works in partnership with local councils and volunteer networks, creating a community of support around these workers . This kind of solidarity sends a powerful message: care workers are not alone, and their well-being matters.
“Migrant care workers are doing some of the most important work in our communities, yet many are navigating a nightmare of legal obstacles and exploitation. At Tulia, we believe in providing not only legal advice but also holistic support – addressing their immigration and employment issues while caring for their overall well-being. However, we know that real change requires policy change too. No care worker should live in fear that leaving a bad employer means deportation. It’s crucial that these workers are free to work for any employer without jeopardizing their status. Community-led initiatives like ours are about empowering care workers – giving them hope, a voice, and the tools to stand up for their rights while we push for the systemic changes that will allow them to thrive.” – Rumbidzai Bvunzawabaya, Founder & CEO of Tulia
This call to action from Tulia’s founder echoes what many advocates and experts are urging. The freedom to switch jobs is not a luxury – it is a basic protection that can prevent abuse. As Citizens Advice has argued in its campaign for reform, “Leaving or losing your job shouldn’t mean losing your right to remain in the UK.” Care workers, it says, **should be able to work in social care without their visa being tied to a specific employer, because the current setup gives employers too much control in a sector already prone to poor conditions . In practical terms, that means changing the visa rules to allow care workers to switch employers easily (within the care sector or beyond) without having to start the visa process over. It could mean extending the 60-day period (or eliminating it), or issuing open work visas in social care. Such policy changes would dramatically reduce the leverage unscrupulous employers hold over migrant staff.
The push for change is gaining momentum. Campaigns by worker unions and non-profits – including the new Migrant Care Workers Charter launched by UNISON – have highlighted how tying visas to one job fosters abuse, and they propose safeguards like an “employer of last resort” to help migrant carers find new jobs if needed . There is also a growing recognition that protecting migrant care workers is essential to solving the wider social care staffing crisis. Happy, empowered workers will stay in the sector, whereas exploited workers will leave – or never come at all.
In the meantime, organizations like Tulia are filling the gap by supporting care workers on the ground. These efforts not only provide immediate relief to individuals but also strengthen the case for long-term solutions. No one should have to tolerate abuse or unsafe conditions to keep their visa. By banding together in community forums and speaking out, migrant care workers and their allies are shining a light on these issues and demanding an end to the tied-visa trap.
In summary, the obstacles faced by care workers on the Health and Care Worker visa are severe, but they are not insurmountable. With continued advocacy, there is hope that the UK government will enact urgently needed policy changes – allowing those who care for others to do their jobs with dignity and freedom, not under the shadow of insecurity. Empowering care workers through legal protections and community support is not just good for those workers; it’s crucial for the quality and stability of care that everyone in society relies on. The message from the ground is clear: it’s time to care for the carers, and that starts with giving them the rights and respect they deserve.
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At Tulia, we believe that everyone deserves to have a safe and welcoming place to call home. We are committed to helping migrants settle well in the UK and to achieve their full potential. Don’t forget to share this article!
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