Health and Care Worker Visa

The UK Health and Care Worker visa is a type of Skilled Worker visa that allows medical professionals to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job.

For Health and Care Worker visa, the applicant must be sponsored by NHS, an NHS supplier or an organisation providing adult social care to do an eligible job.

Whether you want to apply, extend or switch to a UK Health and Care Worker visa, our experienced immigration lawyer can provide you with the help you need.

Table of Contents

• What is a Health and Care Worker visa?
• What are the Health and Care Worker visa requirements?
• Minimum salary requirement
• Financial maintenance requirement
• Certificate of sponsorship requirement
• English language requirement
• Documents required for a Health and Care Worker visa
• How to apply for a Health and Care Worker visa?
• Extend your Health and Care Worker visa
• Switch to a Health and Care Worker visa
• ILR as a Health and Care Worker
• Family members (PBS dependent visa)
• UK Health and Care Worker visa processing time
• UK Health and Care Worker visa application fees
• How can an immigration lawyer help you?
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
• Need legal advice or help from an immigration lawyer?

What is a Health and Care Worker visa?

The Health and Care Worker visa is a type of work visa that was introduced by the UK government in August 2020. It is intended to make it easier for qualified doctors, nurses and other health professionals to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care. 

The visa is also available to other health and care professionals, including midwives, social workers and pharmacists.

The Health and Care Worker visa is open for medical professionals such as qualified doctors, and nurses The Health and Care visa is part of the Skilled Worker visa. You must meet the requirements of the Skilled Worker visa in addition to the requirements set out in this guide to be eligible for the Health and Care visa.

To be eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa, applicants must have a job offer from a UK employer in the health or social care sector, and be able to demonstrate that they have the required qualifications, skills, and English language ability to do the job.

The visa allows holders to work in the UK for up to five years and can be extended beyond that time. It also provides a pathway to settlement in the UK, meaning that holders can eventually apply to become permanent residents.

The Health and Care Worker visa has been introduced as part of the UK government's efforts to attract and retain skilled health professionals from around the world, and to address shortages in the sector.

What are the Health and Care Worker visa requirements?

To be eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa in the UK, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Job offer: The applicant must have a job offer from a UK employer in the health or social care sector. The job offer must meet the minimum skill and salary requirements for the visa.
• Qualifications: The applicant must have the necessary qualifications, skills, and experience to do the job. This may include a degree or professional qualification, as well as relevant work experience.
• English language: The applicant must be able to speak, read, write and understand English to the required level. This may be demonstrated by passing an approved English language test, or by having a degree taught in English.
• Criminal records check: The applicant must provide a criminal records certificate from any country they have lived in for more than 12 months in the last 10 years.
• Maintenance funds: The applicant must have enough money to support themselves and any dependents without needing to rely on public funds. This is currently set at £1,270 for the main applicant, plus an additional £285 for each dependent.

Minimum salary requirement

The Health and Care Worker visa has a minimum salary requirement that an employer must pay to sponsor a migrant worker. The minimum salary requirement varies depending on the job the individual is applying for and their skill level.

The current annual general salary threshold for a Health and Care Worker visa is £26,200 per year or £10.75 per hour, whichever is higher.

Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. Check the going rate for your job in the going rates table.

Financial maintenance requirement

The financial maintenance requirement is an important eligibility criterion for the Health and Care Worker visa, which requires that an individual must be able to support themselves while living in the UK.

The applicant must have enough money to cover their living costs, including accommodation, food, and other expenses, without relying on public funds.

You'll usually need to have at least £1,270 for a period of 28 days if they are applying from outside the UK, or £945 for a period of 90 days if they are applying from inside the UK.

Certificate of sponsorship requirement

The employer is required to include a brief explanation in the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) setting out how the employee meets the Health and Care visa eligibility requirement.

The employer will also be responsible for informing the applicant they are eligible for the Health and Care visa so the applicant can correctly complete the visa application form.

Where an employer is an organisation that provides services commissioned by the NHS, evidence of the contract arrangements with the NHS may need to be provided to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as proof that applicants are eligible to apply for a Health and Care visa.

English language requirement

You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

If the applicant has completed a degree-level course that was taught in English, they may be exempt from the English language test requirement.

If an applicant is a citizen of a country where English is the majority language, they will automatically meet the English language requirement.

Documents required for a Health and Care Worker visa

To apply for a Health and Care Worker visa in the UK, an applicant must submit several documents, including:

• A valid passport or other travel documents
• Certificate of Sponsorship
• your job title and annual salary
• your job's occupation code
• the name of your employer and their sponsor licence number
• Evidence that you meet the financial requirement
• Evidence of your knowledge of the English language
• Proof of any dependent family members (if applicable)
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applicable)
• Criminal record certificate

How to apply for a Health and Care Worker visa?

To apply for a Health and Care Worker visa in the UK, you can follow the steps below:

• Check your eligibility: Make sure that you meet all the eligibility requirements for the visa, including having a job offer from a UK employer in the health or social care sector, the necessary qualifications and experience, and the required English language ability.
• Apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship: Your employer will need to apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship on your behalf. This is a unique reference number that confirms they are able to sponsor you for the visa.
• Complete the online application form: You can apply for the Health and Care Worker visa online through the UK government's website. You'll need to complete the application form and provide all the required information and documentation.
• Pay the application fee: There is a fee for the Health and Care Worker visa, which varies depending on the length of your stay in the UK.
• Provide biometric information: You will need to provide your fingerprints and a photograph as part of the application process.
• Attend an appointment at a visa application centre: Depending on your country of residence, you may be required to attend an appointment at a visa application centre to provide biometric information and submit your application.
• Wait for a decision: After you have submitted your application, you will receive a decision from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) on whether your application has been successful.

It's important to note that the application process may vary depending on your individual circumstances, and there may be additional requirements or steps you need to take. It's recommended to seek professional advice for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Extend your Health and Care Worker visa

If an individual is currently in the UK on a Health and Care Worker visa and wants to extend their stay, they may be able to apply for a visa extension or renewal. The application process will depend on their circumstances.

To extend a Health and Care Worker visa, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

• You must apply before your current visa expires.
• You have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK.
• Your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK.
• You still meet the minimum salary requirements.
• You're still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship.

Applicants must provide a new certificate of sponsorship from their UK employer and meet the same requirements they met when they applied for their initial visa, including English language proficiency, financial requirements, and skill level.

Switch to a Health and Care Worker visa

You can switch to a Health and Care Worker visa from certain other visa categories while in the UK, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. You must have a job offer from a UK employer who is a licensed sponsor.

It's important to note that switching to a Health and Care Worker visa from some other visa categories may not be possible. Applicants should always consult an immigration lawyer for the most up-to-date information and specific eligibility requirements for switching to a Health and Care Worker visa.

Who cannot apply to switch to this visa?

You cannot apply to switch to Health and Care Worker visa if you're currently in the UK:

• on a visitor or tourist visa
• on a student visitor visa (short-term study)
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds

ILR as a Health and Care Worker

As a Health and Care worker, you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after you have spent 5 continuous years in the UK on a Health and Care Worker visa.

Once you are granted ILR as a Health and Care worker, you can stay in the UK indefinitely and work in any job or industry without the need for a work permit. You may also be eligible to apply for British citizenship after a certain period of time.

Family members (PBS dependent visa)

Your family members (a partner or children) will need to apply for the Health and Care Worker dependent visas separately. Your dependents can either apply at the same time as you or at any time before their current visa expires.

The family members include your husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried/same-sex partner or your child under 18 years old (including if they were born in the UK during your stay).

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Here are some commonly asked questions about Health and Care Worker visa: