Key Takeaways
- Three Months With Your Sponsor: Students, Graduate (PSW) visa holders and other visa holders must have been legally working for the sponsoring employer in SOC 6135 or 6136 for at least the 3 months ending on the date the certificate of sponsorship is issued.
- Specific SOC Codes: This rule applies specifically to SOC Code 6135 (Care Workers) and SOC Code 6136 (Senior Care Workers).
- Inside the UK Only, and Time Limited: Care Workers and Senior Care Workers cannot apply from outside the UK, and an application relying on the 3 months of employment must be made before 22 July 2028.
- Medical Experience Isn't Enough: General medical roles, such as auxiliary nursing or hospital admin, do not count towards the 3-month requirement, and neither does care work for a different employer.
- Exemptions Exist: You are exempt from this rule if you are already sponsored under the current codes (6135/6136) or the previous codes (6145/6146).
- Industry Specific: This 3-month experience rule is unique to the care sector; it does not apply to other skilled worker categories.
Introduction
Are you currently in the UK on a Student visa or a Graduate (PSW) visa and considering a switch to a career in the care sector? You are not alone, this is a popular route for many looking to secure long-term settlement in the UK.
However, the Immigration Rules set a strict requirement that catches many applicants off guard. If you are targeting the Care Worker (SOC 6135) or Senior Care Worker (SOC 6136) roles, you cannot switch unless you have already been legally working for the employer who will sponsor you, in one of those two roles, for at least 3 months.
In this blog, we clarify exactly what the "3-Month Rule" is, who it applies to, and who is exempt.
The 3-Month Requirement: SOC 6135 & 6136
Previously, care roles fell under different codes (6145 and 6146). Under the new system, Care Workers are now SOC 6135 and Senior Care Workers are SOC 6136.
If you are a "newcomer" to the sector, switching from a Student, Graduate or any other non-care visa, you must have been legally working for your sponsor as a Care Worker or Senior Care Worker for at least the 3 months ending on the date your certificate of sponsorship is issued. The work must have been allowed by the visa you held at the time.
Two further limits apply. A Care Worker or Senior Care Worker application must be made from inside the UK, so an employer cannot sponsor someone from overseas in these codes. The switching option also has an end date: your application must be made before 22 July 2028. Our guidance on Care Worker and Health Routes sets out the full rules for care workers, including salary, dependants and changing employer.
Does General Medical Experience Count?
This is the most common point of confusion. Many applicants assume that experience as an auxiliary nurse or in general hospital administration will satisfy this requirement.
The short answer is no.
To qualify, your 3 months must be spent working in SOC code 6135 or 6136 for the employer who will sponsor you. Healthcare work outside these two codes does not count, and neither does care work for another employer. Training does not count either. There is no training option in the Rules, only 3 months of lawful employment with your sponsor.
The Exceptions: Who is Safe?
The 3-month rule does not apply to everyone. You are exempt from proving this extra experience if:
- You already hold Skilled Worker permission, sponsored as a Care Worker or Senior Care Worker under the new codes (6135 or 6136).
- You hold Skilled Worker permission sponsored under the old codes (6145 or 6146).
If you fall into these categories, you are considered an existing worker and do not need to re-prove your experience. Additionally, remember that this rule is specific to the care sector. If you are switching from a Student visa to a role in IT, Marketing, or Engineering, this 3-month experience requirement does not apply.
Conclusion
The rules regarding UK work visas are stricter than ever, and "almost" having the right experience is no longer enough. Before you submit your application, ensure you clearly understand the distinction between general medical work and the specific requirements for Care Worker visas. Because the rules are strict and regularly updated, always check before applying. Don't risk a refusal, get it right the first time.
How Can WorkPermitCloud Help?
Navigating SOC codes and experience evidence can be the difference between a visa approval and a rejection. At WorkPermitCloud, we specialise in reviewing your employment history to ensure your experience meets the strict Home Office criteria for SOC 6135 and 6136. We can guide you through the entire switching process, ensuring your application is compliant from day one.
Contact us today to secure your future in the UK:
📞 Call us: +44 020 8087 2343
📧 Email: info@workpermitcloud.co.uk
📅 Book a free consultation: calendly.com/lutfur-workpermitcloud
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
| SOC Code | Standard Occupational Classification; a 4-digit code used by the UK government to classify specific job roles and their eligibility for visas. |
| SOC 6135 | The current occupation code for Care Workers and Home Carers in the UK. |
| SOC 6136 | The current occupation code for Senior Care Workers. |
| Switching | The process of changing from one visa category (e.g., Student) to another (e.g., Health and Care Worker) without leaving the UK. |
| Newcomer | An applicant who is entering the care sector for the first time or switching from a different visa category. |
| Relevant Experience | For this rule, at least 3 months of lawful work in SOC 6135 or 6136 for the sponsoring employer, ending on the date the certificate of sponsorship is issued. |
