The UK Health and Care Worker Visa is open to qualified doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and individuals working in the adult social care sector who wish to pursue an eligible health or social care role in the UK. It is a part of the Skilled Worker Visa.

The UK Health and Care Worker Visa provides the opportunity to establish residency in the UK following a five-year timeframe.

Most UK Health and Care Worker Visa applicants can bring their dependent partner and children with them. The UK has ceased to permit dependents of care workers and senior care workers (occupation codes 6145 and 6146) to enter or reside in the country.

UK Health and Care Worker Visa Requirements

In order to be eligible for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa, you must prove to UK Visas and Immigration that:

•    You are 18 years old or older
•    You are a licensed medical professional, nurse, allied health professional, or employed in the adult social care sector
•    You will be employed in an eligible health or social care position within specified Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes
•    You will be working for a UK health or care sector employer approved by the Home Office
•    You possess a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer detailing the offered role
•    If your Certificate of Sponsorship is for occupation code "6145 - Care workers and home carers" or "6146 - Senior Care Workers," you will be working for a CQC regulated employer
•    You will receive a salary that meets or exceeds the general salary threshold and the 'going rate' for the applicable SOC 2020 occupation code
•    You are proficient in the English language at least to CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0)
•    The Immigration Skills Charge has been settled by your sponsor
•    You possess an ample amount of funds to sustain yourself without depending on government assistance.
•    You have provided a criminal record certificate if working with vulnerable individuals
•    A valid TB certificate is required if it is from a country that is listed.

The specific criteria you must meet will differ based on your individual situation. Seeking advice from an immigration solicitor could prove advantageous for obtaining expert assistance.

UK Health and Care Worker Visa Eligible Jobs

In order to qualify for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa, you will need to work in an eligible health or social care job, which falls within a list of specified Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes:

• 1171 Health services and public health managers and directors
• 1231 Health care practice managers
• 1232 Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
• 2113 Biochemists and biomedical scientists
• 2114 Physical scientists
• 2211 Generalist medical practitioners
• 2212 Specialist medical practitioners
• 2221 Physiotherapists
• 2222 Occupational therapists
• 2223 Speech and language therapists
• 2224 Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists
• 2225 Clinical psychologists
• 2226 Other psychologists
• 2229 Therapy professionals not elsewhere classified
• 2231 Midwifery nurses
• 2232 Registered community nurses
• 2233 Registered specialist nurses
• 2234 Registered nurse practitioners
• 2235 Registered mental health nurses
• 2236 Registered children’s nurses
• 2237 Other registered nursing professionals
• 2251 Pharmacists
• 2252 Optometrists
• 2253 Dental practitioners
• 2254 Medical radiographers
• 2255 Paramedics
• 2256 Podiatrists
• 2259 Other health professionals not elsewhere classified
• 2461 Social workers
• 3111 Laboratory technicians
• 3211 Dispensing opticians
• 3212 Pharmaceutical technicians
• 3213 Medical and dental technicians
• 3219 Health associate professionals not elsewhere classified
• 6131 Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
• 6132 Ambulance staff (excluding paramedics)
• 6133 Dental nurses
• 6135 Care workers and home carers
• 6136 Senior care workers

This is an exhaustive list. You must be taking up a job in one of the above occupations to be eligible for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa. However, some roles may still be eligible within the general Skilled Worker category.

Authorized Employers within the UK Health and Care Sector

To be eligible for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa, you must be hired or contracted by a UK health and care sector employer that has received approval from the Home Office.

The Home Office has granted approval to a wide array of organizations to sponsor employees in the health and care sector via the UK Health and Care Worker Visa route.

•    NHS Foundation Trusts, NHS Trusts, and other healthcare-related agencies in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland;
•    Entities delivering regulated services in accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and certified by the Care Quality Commission.
•    Entities regulated under the Care Standards Act 2000 or the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016;
•    Signatories of medical or dental service agreements.
•    Providers of care services in Scotland, registered with Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland, or engaged in NHS-related services;
•    General Practitioner Federations and entities contracted by the Northern Ireland Regional Health and Social Care Board for Family Practitioner Services;
•    Bodies registered with or monitored/inspected by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority;
•    The General Chiropractic Council, General Medical Council, and similar organizations are regulatory bodies.
•    Organizations registered with the CQC currently carrying out regulated activities.

In case you are uncertain about whether your employer qualifies as an approved employer for the UK Health and Care Worker Visa route, our team of immigration solicitors is available to provide you with additional guidance.

Requirement for Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for UK Health and Care Worker Visa

In order to be eligible for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa, you are required to have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship that is directly linked to the particular role you plan to fulfill. It is important to note that this certificate exists in digital form, rather than as a tangible paper document.

Your Certificate of Sponsorship for the UK Health and Care Worker Visa should be granted by an employer authorized by the Home Office to sponsor positions under the Health and Care Worker route. While the NHS, medical service providers to the NHS, and adult social care organizations are common sponsors, various other entities can also be approved by the Home Office for this purpose. If an employer is not yet an approved sponsor, they can seek a Sponsor Licence if they meet the criteria.

The Certificate of Sponsorship must include a concise explanation from your employer detailing how you fulfill the eligibility criteria for the Health and Care Visa. For employers offering services commissioned by the NHS, proof of contractual agreements with the NHS may need to be provided.

Ensure that your Health and Care Worker Visa Certificate of Sponsorship is issued within 3 months prior to your visa application date.

The Certificate of Sponsorship is Required to Contain Specific Essential Details

•    Provide your full name, occupation, and annual income
•    Commencement date should be within 3 months of your Health and Care Worker visa application submission
•    Verify that the Certificate of Sponsorship has not been utilized in any prior successful, unsuccessful, withdrawn, or canceled applications.

Sponsorship for Care Worker and Senior Care Worker Positions

Care homes in England are now required to be overseen by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England, in order to support migrants as care workers and home carers (6135) or senior care workers (6136) under the Health and Care Worker visa route.

Hence, individuals applying for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa to work in England with a Certificate of Sponsorship for occupation codes ‘6135 – Care workers and home carers’ or ‘6136 – Senior Care Workers’ are required to work for an employer registered with the CQC.

The sponsoring organization must be actively engaged in activities regulated by the CQC and should not be listed as ‘dormant’ on their register or have applied to be ‘dormant’. This condition does not pertain to candidates who will be working exclusively in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

Care workers and senior care workers with a UK Health and Care Worker Visa issued before 11 March 2024 may seek an extension of their permission with the same sponsor and settle without the CQC regulation requirement being applicable to them.

UK Health and Care Worker Visa Salary Requirement

In order to qualify for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa, you will need to be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both a general salary threshold and the ‘going rate’ for the applicable SOC 2020 occupation code.

If you are being sponsored for one of the following national pay scale SOC 2020 occupation codes, you will need to be paid a salary of at least £23,200 per year or the ‘going rate’ for the job as set out in Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, whichever is higher:

• 2211 Generalist medical practitioners
• 2212 Specialist medical practitioners
• 2221 Physiotherapists
• 2222 Occupational therapists
• 2223 Speech and language therapists
• 2224 Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists
• 2225 Clinical psychologists
• 2226 Other psychologists
• 2229 Therapy professionals not elsewhere classified
• 2231 Midwifery nurses
• 2232 Registered community nurses
• 2233 Registered specialist nurses
• 2234 Registered nurse practitioners
• 2235 Registered mental health nurses
• 2236 Registered children’s nurses
• 2237 Other registered nursing professionals
• 2251 Pharmacists
• 2252 Optometrists
• 2253 Dental practitioners
• 2254 Medical radiographers
• 2255 Paramedics
• 2256 Podiatrists
• 2259 Other health professionals not elsewhere classified
• 2461 Social workers
• 3213 Medical and dental technicians
• 3219 Health associate professionals not elsewhere classified
• 6131 Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
• 6132 Ambulance staff (excluding paramedics)
• 6133 Dental nurses

You will need to meet a different salary requirement if you are being sponsored for one of the following Health and Care Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) jobs:

• 1171 Health services and public health managers and directors
• 1231 Health care practice managers
• 1232 Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
• 2113 Biochemists and biomedical scientists
• 2114 Physical scientists
• 3111 Laboratory technicians
• 3211 Dispensing opticians
• 3212 Pharmaceutical technicians
• 6135 Care workers and home carers
• 6136 Senior care workers

Health and Care Worker Visa applicants who are being sponsored for one of the above-mentioned jobs may be paid a salary which equals or exceeds the following:

• The general salary threshold – for most jobs this is £29,000 per year, but may be £26,100 or £23,200 per year if the worker scores ‘tradable points’ (see below); and
• The applicable ‘going rate’ for the SOC 2020 occupation code in Appendix Skilled Occupations – or a percentage of the ‘going rate’ if the worker scores ‘tradable points’ (see below).

Some sponsored Health and Care Workers applying for a Health and Care Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) job may be paid less than £29,000 per year, where they are awarded additional so-called ‘tradable points’ for other attributes:  

• An applicant with a PhD qualification which is relevant to the job may be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both £26,100 per year and 90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code;
• An applicant with a PhD qualification in a STEM subject which is relevant to the job may be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both £23,200 per year and 80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code;
• An applicant with a job offer for a job on the Immigration Salary List may be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both £23,200 per year and the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code;
• An applicant who is a new entrant to the labour market at the start of their career may be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both £23,200 per year and 70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.

Immigration Salary List?

The Home Office has compiled a register of specialised positions that pose challenges for employers in finding a sufficient number of qualified workers to fill their job openings. 

Employers have the option to hire migrant workers for roles listed on the Immigration Salary List at a salary lower than the standard threshold. 

Roles that qualify for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa (excluding those on the national pay scale) and are included on the Immigration Salary List must receive a salary that meets or surpasses £23,200 annually as well as the prevailing rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.

What defines an individual as a 'New Entrant to the Labour Market'?

New individuals entering the workforce encompass individuals who are under 26 years old at the time of application (or transitioning from a Student or Graduate Visa), individuals sponsored in designated postdoctoral research roles, and individuals pursuing professional qualifications, registration, or chartered status. 

If you meet the criteria as a new entrant to the labour market, the salary threshold requirement will be lowered.

An individual will not be considered a new entrant if approving their application would extend their cumulative permission period as a Skilled Worker, Tier 2 Migrant, and/or Graduate beyond 4 years in total.

English Language Requirement for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa must be met

To be eligible for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa, applicants must prove their English language proficiency on the Common European Framework of Reference scale (CEFR) in all four areas (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) at a minimum of level B1 (intermediate).

Prospective employees seeking entry clearance or permission to stay as a Health and Care Worker will meet the English language criteria if they:

•    Citizen of a predominantly English-speaking nation
•    Successfully completed a Secure English Language Test from an authorized provider
•    Attained an academic qualification at degree level that was instructed in English
•    Achieved a GCSE/A Level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Highers or Advanced Higher in English while attending school in the UK
•    Previously demonstrated meeting the level B1 requirement in a prior successful application for entry clearance or permission to stay

If you receive sponsorship to practice as a doctor, dentist, nurse, or midwife, you do not need to show your English proficiency as long as you have passed an English language assessment recognized by the relevant professional regulatory body.

Requirement for Immigration Skills Charge

The employer is also required to have fully paid the Immigration Skills Charge. This payment is non-transferable to the applicant.

The Immigration Skills Charge applies to every foreign worker that a sponsoring employer wishes to hire. This charge must be settled whenever a sponsoring employer allocates a Certificate of Sponsorship to a migrant.

Financial Maintenance Requirement for UK Health and Care Worker Visa

You must have a minimum of £1,270 in cash funds available to demonstrate that you can financially support yourself in the UK, with the exception of the cases outlined below.

The funds must have been held for a continuous period of at least 28 days, ending no more than 31 days before the submission of your UK Health and Care Worker Visa application.

If you have lived in the UK legally for a period of 12 months or more when applying, you will meet the financial criteria without the need to show proof of funds.

Furthermore, you will qualify for an exemption if your employer is able to cover your expenses during your initial month in the UK, up to a minimum of £1,270 if necessary. Your sponsor must confirm this by completing the 'Sponsor certifies maintenance' section on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

Criminal Record Certificate Requirement for UK Health and Care Worker Visa

If you are seeking a UK Health and Care Worker Visa from abroad, you must obtain a criminal record certificate from the appropriate authority in any country where you have resided for 12 months or longer (whether continuously or in total) within the 10 years prior to the application date, and while you were 18 years old or older, unless your occupation falls under certain specified codes.

•    2113 Biochemists and biomedical scientists
•    2114 Physical scientists
•    3111 Laboratory technicians
•    6132 Ambulance staff (excluding paramedics)

Advantages of the Health and Care Worker Visa

Health and Care Worker Visa applicants in the UK receive distinct advantages in comparison to other Skilled Worker Visa applicants.

•    Reduced Visa Fee: Health and Care Worker Visa applicants are eligible for a discounted visa application fee. This reduction also extends to partners and dependents of those applying for the Health and Care Visa.
•    Priority Processing: UK Visas and Immigration gives priority to Health and Care Worker Visa applications, striving to process them within a timeframe of 3 weeks.
•    Exemption from IHS: Health and Care Worker Visa applicants, along with their dependent partners and children, are not required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Transitioning to the UK Health and Care Worker Visa Route

If you currently have authorization to reside in a different immigration classification, you have the option to extend your stay by switching to the UK Health and Care Worker Visa pathway, except if you are currently a Visitor, Short-term student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or have legal residency in the UK beyond the Immigration Rules.

If you have, or last had, permission as a Student, you will only be able to switch into the Health and Care Worker Visa route if you meet one of the following conditions:

•    You have effectively completed the course requirements linked to your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.
•    The course concluded prior to the commencement date indicated on your CoS.
•    You have completed a minimum of 24 months of the course that was intended to result in a PhD qualification.

Is there a waiting period in the UK Health and Care Worker Visa Route?

Previously, individuals seeking entry clearance or a switch to the Tier 2 (General) route were required to not have been in the UK as a Tier 2 (General) migrant within the last 12 months. 

However, under the Skilled Worker route, including the Health and Care Worker Visa route, this 12-month 'cooling off period' has been eliminated. 

As a result, there are no limitations on when applications for the Health and Care Worker Visa route can be submitted.

Period of a Health and Care Worker Visa

Upon successful processing of your UK Health and Care Worker Visa application, you will receive authorization to enter the country or remain for a maximum of 14 days following the expiry of your Certificate of Sponsorship. 

The Certificate of Sponsorship can be valid for a duration of up to 5 years from the initial commencement date. The duration of sponsorship from your employer will be specified on your certificate of sponsorship.

You may apply for an extension of your Health and Care Worker visa if you continue to meet the salary criteria and:

•    Your current job is identical to the one you had when you were last authorized to enter or remain in the UK.
•    Your present employment aligns with the identical occupation code as the one you held during your most recent authorization to enter or stay in the United Kingdom.
•    You are working for the same employer who granted your current certificate of sponsorship.
 

Maximum Duration Allowed in the UK Health and Care Worker Visa Route

The former Tier 2 (General) pathway mandated that individuals applying for entry clearance or transitioning into the program must abide by a maximum six-year residency rule.

The previous limit of six years has been eliminated under the Health and Care Worker scheme. Now, individuals can receive up to 5 years of leave consecutively with no limitations on the duration of their stay.

Requirements for Living as a Health and Care Employee

Health and Care Worker Visa beneficiaries in the UK are allowed to perform duties in the capacity for which they have been sponsored. 

They are also allowed to take on additional employment as long as they maintain their sponsored job. 

If you wish to switch jobs to a different employer or occupation code, you must apply to update your Health and Care Worker Visa.

Working as a Health and Care Worker in a community

In order to qualify for Settlement as a Health and Care Worker, you are required to show UK Visas and Immigration that:

•    You have resided continuously in the UK for a period of 5 years.
•    The 5-year continuous period included time spent with permission on various routes such as Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator, Innovator Founder, Tier 2 Minister of Religion, International Sportsperson, Representative of an Overseas Business, Tier 1 Migrant (excluding Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur), Scale-up.
•    You have not exceeded 180 days outside the UK in each year of the 5-year continuous period.
•    You have successfully passed the Life in the UK test, unless you are 65 years old or above.
•    The Home Office has confirmed that your sponsor continues to be an approved sponsor.
•    Your sponsor still requires your services for the foreseeable future.
•    You are currently being paid, and will continue to be paid, at least the general ILR salary threshold or the going rate requirement, whichever is higher, for the foreseeable future.

Application fees for Health and Care Worker Visa and Fee Reduction

Applicants for the UK Health and Care Worker Visa will benefit from lower application fees if their employer has verified their eligibility on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
 
This reduced fee also extends to family members. The reduction in fees will be automatically implemented when completing the online application.

The fees, effective from 10 April 2024, remain consistent for entry clearance applications from outside the UK and for leave to remain applications within the UK, including category switches.

•    The fee for a Certificate of Sponsorship issued for a stay in the UK for 3 years or less is £284.
•    For a Certificate of Sponsorship issued for a stay in the UK for over 3 years, the fee is £551. 

Exclusion from Immigration Health Surcharge

Health and Care Worker visa applicants, along with their dependents, are not obligated to pay the Immigration Health Charge.

Priority Entry and Rapid Visa Processing Times 

The Home Office has announced that UK Visas and Immigration will give priority to Health and Care Worker Visa applications. 

The aim is to complete the vast majority of applications within three weeks of the biometrics being taken, as outlined in the guidance.

Dependants of Health and Care Workers

Social care professionals (occupation codes 6145 and 6146) have been restricted from bringing dependents to the UK since March 11, 2024. 

However, care workers and senior care workers with a Health and Care Worker Visa issued before this date are allowed to have dependents accompany them, even if they switch to a sponsor meeting the CQC regulation requirement. 

The exemption from the Immigration Health Charge applies to partners and children applying as dependents of Health and Care Visa applicants, along with the reduced Health and Care Worker Visa fee.