Dental Recruitment Alert: Skilled-Worker Visas Removed

From 22 July 2025, the Skilled Worker visa route will no longer accept new applicants for overseas dental nurses, dental hygienists, and dental technicians—as defined in the updated Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules

What does this mean for dental practices in the UK?

• No new international hiring of dental nurses, hygienists, or technicians post-22 July via the Skilled Worker route. 

• Only existing visa holders can extend or switch roles, provided they maintain continuous skilled-worker status. 

• Dental therapists may still be eligible—official guidance is pending confirmation. 

• Dentists are not affected.  

Why is this happening?

The UK is raising the Skills level to RQF 6 (graduate level)—this excludes many dental support roles. With over 100+ occupations removed from visa eligibility, including hygiene, nursing, and tech roles, international recruitment faces immediate disruption.

Three things to do NOW:

• Review sponsorships to ensure no new visa applications are pending for barred roles.  

• Audit current visa holders to track eligibility of staff and assign Certificates of Sponsorship before 21 July 2025 to preserve eligibility for existing staff. 

• Make plans to strengthen UK recruitment by collaborating with colleges and apprenticeship providers. 

What could dental practices do going forward?

Prioritise UK-trained talent 

With overseas recruitment of dental hygienists, nurses and technicians halted, ramp up your internal talent using dental nurse apprenticeships, hygienist and technician diploma programs or trainee programmes supported by NHS or education institutions.

Retain and support existing international staff 

Supporting visa extensions or those switching roles is now essential. Proactively ensure these team members are aware of their rights and obligations under Skilled Worker status.

Lobby for policy updates 

Engage with professional associations such as the GDC, Dental Schools Council to advocate for inclusion of dental professions on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) or Temporary Shortage List (TSL) or Government-backed incentives to sponsor international dental professionals.

Get help from dental recruitment experts 

This news may change your recruitment plans so if you are recruiting and need advice or to see what your options are, speak to a specialist dental recruiter.

Key Dates to Remember 

• 22 July 2025: No new Skilled Worker visas for dental nurses, hygienists, or technicians accepted. 

• 21 July 2025: Last chance to assign new Certificates of Sponsorship to preserve transitions. 

• Post-22 July: Only visa renewals/switches permitted for existing skilled-worker holders. 

This shift marks a major turning point in dental recruitment – you can read the full changes at gov.uk 

Get in touch with us

Please get in touch if your requirements have changed – if we have a role advertised for you that is currently offering sponsorship, we will remove this offering and continue to advertise the role for candidates with the right to work in the UK. This news may change your recruitment plans so if you are recruiting and would like advice or to see what your options are, please contact our specialist recruiters today!