Health and Care Worker extensions rise despite fewer new visas
28 Aug 2026
If you already hold a Health and Care Worker visa, new figures suggest most activity on this route right now is people like you extending, not new arrivals. Home Office statistics published on 27 August 2026 show Health and Care Worker extension grants rose by 19% in the year ending June 2026, reaching 336,215.
At the same time, new visas issued on the route fell sharply. The data shows the number of Health and Care Worker visas issued "has fallen by 45% to 34,143 in the YE June 2026", with main applicant grants down 65% and dependant grants down 35%. Some occupation categories saw even steeper falls, including a drop of over 99% for workers in Caring Personal Service roles.
If you are already in the UK on this visa and working toward settlement, this shift does not change your own qualifying period or absence rules, but it does mean the Home Office is processing a large and growing volume of extension applications. Keep your sponsor details and continuous residence evidence up to date, and apply for your extension well before your current visa expires.
Track your time in the UK and your absence days with our calculator to see how close you are to five years.
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