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Kim Day | Senior Immigration Adviser

Is it possible to sponsor a Dental Hygienist / Therapist after 22 July?

07/07/2025

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Will it still be possible to sponsor a Dental Hygienist / Therapist (SOC Code 3213) after 22 July on a Skilled Worker visa? The new legislation, which will come into effect on 22 July 2025 is crystal clear that it will no longer be possible to offer new sponsorship for dental hygienists, therapists or nurses. From this date only jobs considered to be at least RQF Level 6 will be eligible for sponsorship within the Skilled Worker route, and these roles are considered to be lower than this.

The relevant part of the Statement of Changes is page 119 - 121.

After 22 July it will therefore no longer be possible for anyone outside the UK to move here in order to take up one of these roles. It will also be prohibited for those in the UK on other visas such as Graduate (PSW), Student or Dependant routes to obtain a Skilled Worker visa for these roles.

Sponsorship can still be offered for these roles only in the following situations:

  • extend a current visa with the original sponsor
  • switch to a new role with the original sponsor (eg dental nurses who now have GDC registration and wish to work as a therapist)
  • switch to a new employer provided that the applicant holds a Skilled Worker visa which was granted on the basis of a Certificate of Sponsorship issued prior to 22 July 2025

We are aware of cases where Skilled Worker visas have been granted for Dental Therapist roles based on a Certificate assigned under SOC code 2259, for which it will still be possible to offer sponsorship after 22 July. The CASCOT occupational Coding Tool, which the Home Office directs applicants to on their Guidance on Skilled Worker visa eligible occupations and codes clearly states however that the most appropriate code for a Dental Therapist is 3212, giving a score of 83 compared to a score of 40 for 2259.

It is vital that the correct SOC is selected by an employer when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship. Assigning a CoS for a Dental Therapist under 2259 (or indeed 2253 which is to be used for Dentists) leaves the applicant liable to refusal of their visa application along with possible revocation of the Sponsor Licence.

The upcoming changes are drastic and will have a catastrophic effect on an industry which is already crippled by a lack of suitably qualified workers. We would urge all dental practice owners with influence to contact their local MP in order to lobby for change in this area.

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