If you're an RCN member and are already in the UK, you can get confidential support and assistance on immigration issues.

In addition to lots of online advice and resources, our experienced team of immigration solicitors can offer RCN members expert guidance and advice.

The social care worker route has now closed

The care worker (6135) and senior care worker (6136) routes were closed to new applicants from outside the UK on 22 July 2025.

A three-year transition period is in place. Find out more below.

The skills threshold has increased

On 22 July 2025, the skill threshold for the Skilled Worker visa increased from RQF 3 (A-level) to RQF 6 (graduate level). Find out more below.

New salary threshold for care workers and senior care workers

The new salary threshold of £12.82 per hour and £25,000 per year for care workers and senior care workers applies to all certificates of sponsorship issued after 9 April 2025. All care workers and senior care workers must meet the new salary threshold, including those who were already sponsored under these occupations before 9 April 2025.

Our immigration solicitors can help with matters such as:

• extensions and changes to current visas
• situations where your immigration status is unclear
• settlement applications, such as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and permanent residency (PR)
• appeals and administrative reviews where appropriate
• legal advice or clarification of immigration law regarding employment issues, e.g. suspension, dismissal and redundancy.

• The Health and Care visa (formally called the Tier 2 (General) visa)
• Student visas
• Domestic violence and immigration applications
• Changing or extending your current visa
• Applications based on marriage/civil partnership
• European Settled Status Scheme applications
• British citizenship
• Human rights claims (10 years route to settlement)
• Refugee settlement applications
• Appeals and administrative reviews
• Visa fee waiver applications
  
  

The RCN Immigration Service cannot offer any advice or assistance with asylum applications.

We can however assist with finding accredited advisors who will be able to assist with asylum claims.

If you need advice on immigration matters please have a look at our resources and advice guides first as your question may be answered there.

If you do need further advice or support, contact the RCN advice team who will discuss your situation in more detail, and explore whether you need to be referred to the RCN Immigration Advice Service for advice or an appointment.

Work related issues and other support

RCN members can also get help and advice on work related issues, or issues involving your career, finances, emotional health, and more.

Confidentiality is central to the service we offer. Any information concerning clients of the service, including whether or not they have contacted the service, will remain confidential to the service.

No information will be passed to any outside organisation or individual, or to other staff or members of the RCN, without the client's specific request or explicit permission to do so. For more information about our obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018, please refer to the RCN’s Data Protection Officer (view our privacy policy).

Our solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC)

If you are an Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN) working within the UK, welcome to the RCN! Our new International Nurse Resource is packed with:

• Advice guides for overseas nursing staff and students (employment contracts, work experience, bringing your family with you, the UK Health System, etc)
• Guide to common English Expressions
• International Nursing Associations and live events especially for internationally educated nursing staff
• Case studies and videos, and much more.

You can also check out our International Member Case Studies, which showcases some of the amazing work, advocacy, and campaigning that both the RCN Immigration Advice Service and the wider RCN have been doing to support our international members.