Recruitment policy
Your approach to overseas workers and the checks you will perform.
"information about your approach to sponsoring overseas workers, including what checks you will perform"
CQC, Recruitment policyEngland · CQC registration · Recruitment
Do you need a sponsor licence to register with CQC?
No. CQC does not ask for a sponsor licence to register a home care agency. New overseas recruitment of care workers closed on 22 July 2025, and CQC now asks how your recruitment policy handles overseas workers, not whether you hold a licence.
- Rule-verified 30 September 2026
- Quoted from CQC and GOV.UK
- Updated for the 2025 visa change
Quick answer
No. A Home Office sponsor licence is not on CQC’s list of documents for a homecare application, and you do not need one to register. What CQC does ask is for your recruitment policy to include "information about your approach to sponsoring overseas workers, including what checks you will perform", and for your training plan to cover any extra support for overseas workers.
Since 22 July 2025, new overseas entry clearance for care workers has been closed. People already in the UK can switch into sponsored care roles until 22 July 2028.
What changed in July 2025
The Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 997) closed entry clearance for Skilled Workers in the care worker and senior care worker occupation codes. The explanatory memorandum says: "These changes will be implemented on 22 July 2025".
It also left a door open for people already here: "The changes also provide for in-country applications, for those switching from other visa routes, to continue for a transition period until 22 July 2028".
For a new agency, that means a business plan built on overseas recruitment is unlikely to hold up. CQC’s business plan guidance asks for evidence of local demand and how you decided pricing and staff pay.
What CQC asks instead
Staff training plan
Any extra support overseas workers will need.
"any extra support for overseas workers such as a longer induction or language support if needed."
CQC, Staff training planIf you will not sponsor anyone, say so in the recruitment policy. A policy that promises checks you will never do is a promise CQC can hold you to.
Checks you must still do for every worker
Whoever you hire, the usual checks apply. GOV.UK: "You must check that a job applicant is allowed to work for you in the UK before you employ them." For your CQC application itself, registered persons need a CQC-countersigned enhanced DBS with barred list information, under 12 months old; CQC does not accept the DBS Update Service.
CareRulebook
Your CQC pack, recruitment included
CareRulebook writes the recruitment policy and staff training plan around how you will actually hire, with the overseas worker sections CQC asks for set to your plans.
- Every document CQC asks for with a homecare application
- Header details and working legislation links on every page
- Editable Word and PDF
Related questions
Can you use the DBS Update Service for your CQC application?
NoCQC needs a CQC-countersigned enhanced DBS for registered persons, under 12 months old.
"We cannot accept certificates from the DBS update service or submissions from 3rd party services, such as U-check."
Can you apply first and recruit staff later?
NoCQC says to apply only when DBS checks are done, premises are set up and staff are recruited.
"Only send us your application when everything is ready to start providing your services."
Frequently asked questions
Does CQC require a sponsor licence for homecare registration?
No. A sponsor licence is not on CQC’s required-document lists for homecare applicants. CQC asks your recruitment policy to explain your approach to sponsoring overseas workers, if you plan to.
Can I still recruit care workers from overseas?
Not through new entry clearance. The Skilled Worker route closed to new overseas care worker and senior care worker applications on 22 July 2025. In-country applications for people switching from other visa routes continue until 22 July 2028.
What does CQC want in my recruitment policy?
The stages of your recruitment process, the checks at each stage, references, how you check employment history and why previous employment ended, and your approach to sponsoring overseas workers, including what checks you will perform.
Does the staff training plan mention overseas workers?
Yes. CQC’s guidance says it should cover any extra support for overseas workers, such as a longer induction or language support if needed.
Do I need to check right to work?
Yes. GOV.UK says employers must check that a job applicant is allowed to work in the UK before employing them.
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Keep reading
England
How to register a home care agency with CQC
Every document, the two-stage process and fees.
England
Can you use policy templates for CQC?
What CQC’s own examples show.
Trust
How we verify rules
Every quote checked against the official text.
United Kingdom
Other UK regulators
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Sources
- Registering a homecare agency (personal care) · Care Quality Commission · retrieved 30 September 2026
- Supporting documents for new provider registration applications · Care Quality Commission · retrieved 30 September 2026
- DBS checks for CQC registration · Care Quality Commission · retrieved 30 September 2026
- Explanatory memorandum to the statement of changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 997) · GOV.UK · retrieved 30 September 2026
- Check a job applicant's right to work · GOV.UK · retrieved 30 September 2026