You can apply to switch to a Health and Care Worker visa (formerly a Tier 2 Health and Care visa) if you're already in the UK on a different type of visa. For Health and Care Worker visa, you 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.
Please contact our immigration lawyer on 01619899370 or fill in the enquiry form to take the first step towards your successful UK visa application.
Table of Contents
- What is a Health and Care Worker visa?
- How to switch to a Health and Care Worker visa?
- Who cannot apply to switch to Health and Care visa?
- What are the Health and Care Worker visa requirements?
- Health and Care Worker visa points calculator
- Occupation codes for Health and Care Worker visa
- Approved UK health and care sector employers
- 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 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. The Health and Care Worker visa is part of the UK's points-based immigration system and falls under the Skilled Worker route.
It provides an opportunity for skilled individuals to contribute to the UK's healthcare system while also offering them a pathway to settle in the UK in the long term.
How to switch to a Health and Care Worker visa?
You must apply online to change ('switch') to a Health and Care Worker visa if you're already in the UK on a different type of visa and meet the requirements.
The application process and requirements for the Health and Care Worker visa may change over time, It's advisable to seek legal advice to ensure you have the most up-to-date information and guidance for your specific circumstances.
To apply for a Health and Care Worker visa in the UK, an applicant must follow these steps:
- Check if you are eligible
- Get a certificate of sponsorship
- Collect the necessary documents
- Fill out the application form and apply online
- Book & attend a biometric appointment
- Wait for a decision
Who cannot apply to switch to Health and Care visa?
You cannot apply to switch to Health and Care visa if you're currently in the UK:
- on a visit visa
- on a short-term student visa
- 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
You must leave the UK and apply for a Health and Care Worker visa from abroad if you're in one of these categories.
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:
- You must have a job offer from a UK employer in the health or social care sector.
- You must have appropriate skills & qualifications to do the job.
- You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English to the required level.
- You must have enough money to support yourself without needing to rely on public funds.
You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements depending on type of application and your personal circumstances. Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and to discuss the options.
Health and Care Worker visa points calculator
To be eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must score a minimum of 70 points. The points breakdown is as follows:
| Points | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| 20 Points | [Mandatory] Offer of a job by an approved sponsor |
| 20 Points | [Mandatory] Speaks English at the required level |
| 20 Points | [Mandatory] Job at appropriate skill level |
| 20 Points | You must meet the minimum salary requirement. |
| 10 Points | You must be able to support yourself financially in the UK without relying on public funds. |
| 10 Points | You must meet the health requirements. |
| 10 Points | You must not have any criminal convictions. |
Occupation codes for Health and Care Worker visa
To qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa extension, your job must be in one of the following occupation codes:
- 1181: health services and public health managers and directors
- 1242: residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
- 2112: biological scientists and biochemists
- 2113: physical scientists
- 2211: medical practitioners
- 2212: psychologists
- 2213: pharmacists
- 2214: ophthalmic opticians
- 2215: dental practitioners
- 2217: medical radiographers
- 2218: podiatrists
- 2219: health professionals that are 'not elsewhere classified', such as audiologists and occupational health advisers
- 2221: physiotherapists
- 2222: occupational therapists
- 2223: speech and language therapists
- 2229: therapy professionals that are 'not elsewhere classified', such as osteopaths and psychotherapists
- 2231: nurses
- 2232: midwives
- 2442: social workers
- 3111: laboratory technicians
- 3213: paramedics
- 3216: dispensing opticians
- 3217: pharmaceutical technicians
- 3218: medical and dental technicians
- 3219: health associate professionals not elsewhere classified
- 6141: nursing auxiliaries and assistants
- 6143: dental nurses
- 6145: care workers and home carers
- 6146: senior care workers
Approved UK health and care sector employers
Before you apply for an extension of the Health and Care Worker visa, you must have a job offer from an approved UK employer.
You must have a job offer from:
- the NHS
- an organisation providing medical services to the NHS
- an organisation providing adult social care
Read the guidance to see a full list of eligible employers.
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).
UK Health and Care Worker visa processing time
Once you have applied online and attended your biometrics appointment, you'll usually get a decision on your Health and Care Worker visa within:
- 3 weeks, if applying using standard service
- 5 working days, if applying using priority service
- 24 hours, if applying using super priority service
Super Priority Service
You may be eligible to use the 'super priority service' to get a faster decision by the end of the next working day (within 24 hours). You'll need to pay £1,000 in addition to the UK visa application fee.
Priority Service
You may be able to choose the 'priority service' when you apply for a UK visa to get a faster decision within 5 working days. You'll need to pay £500 in addition to the UK visa application fee.
When you apply, you might be eligible to choose the 'super priority service' or 'priority service' to get your visa faster depending on the type of application and what country you're in.
Applicants are advised to check the latest information about UK visa application processing time on the official UK government website either applying from inside the UK or outside the UK.
UK Health and Care Worker visa application fees
Health and Care Worker visa fees are:
- £247 per person (up to 3 years)
- £479 per person (more than 3 years)
The Health and Care Worker visa fee is the same whether you apply from inside or outside the UK.
You and your dependants will also be exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Please note that these fees are subject to change, and you should always check the most up-to-date information on the UK government's official website before applying for a visa.
How much does it cost to apply for a Health and Care Worker visa in the UK?
The cost of a UK visa application varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for, your location and the type of service such as 'standard service', 'super priority service', or 'priority service'.
Here are some common costs associated with applying for a UK visa:
- £247 or £479 Health and Care Worker visa application fee
- £19.20 Biometrics fee (if applying from inside the UK)
- £1,000 in addition to the visa fee if using the super priority service
- £500 in addition to the visa fee if using the priority service
- English language test fee (if required)
- Immigration lawyer fees (if using legal services to boost your chances of success & avoid mistakes)
Please note that the above is a general list of costs associated with UK visa applications. There may be additional costs such tuberculosis ( TB ) test fee depending on your circumstances.
Immigration lawyer fees
Our expert UK immigration lawyer will guide you through every step of the UK visa application process including advice about legal requirements and eligibility criteria.
At Rex Law Chambers, our immigration lawyer charges a fixed fee between £800-£1000 for our complete legal services in relation to your Health and Care Worker visa application. The agreed fixed fee will depend on the complexity of the matter and the casework involved in the matter.
How can an immigration lawyer help you?
As part of our immigration services for your immigration application, our expert immigration lawyer will:
- assess your eligibility for the relevant visa type by fully considering your circumstances;
- advise you on the required supporting documents to be submitted in support of your immigration application;
- assess all the documents to ensure that the documents you provide are as per the requirements of the Immigration Rules;
- advise you on strengths and potential weaknesses in your visa application and how you can overcome such weaknesses if any;
- complete the online immigration draft application form to share it with you for cross-checking;
- submit your application online and schedule your biometrics appointments with the relevant commercial partner of the UKVI;
- prepare a detailed cover letter in support of the immigration application explaining in detail how you are meeting all the requirements of the Immigration Rules so that you have the maximum chances of succeeding in your visa application;
- upload all the supporting documents online in support of the immigration application in their correct format and order;
- dealing and responding to any caseworker enquiries or correspondence from the Home Office caseworker for any further documents or information concerning your pending immigration application;
- do all the follow-up work on your immigration application until a decision is received from the Home Office UKVI.
Contact our experienced and friendly immigration lawyer on 0161 989 9370 or fill in our enquiry form to get reliable & confidential immigration advice and legal assistance with a UK visa application or any other immigration matter.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Here are some commonly asked questions about Health and Care Worker visa:
To be eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must have a job offer from an approved employer in the health or social care sector. It means you must have a confirmed job offer from a UK company that holds a sponsorship licence.
As Health and Care Worker visa is part of the Skilled Worker visa, applicants must meet the requirements of the Skilled Worker visa and all other eligibility requirements depending on their circumstances.
You may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) (known as 'Settlement'), once you have completed 5 continuous years in the UK as a Health and Care Worker.
You must apply online for a UK Health and Care Worker visa. You need to upload all the supporting documents, attend biometric appointment and pay the correct visa application & IHS fees.
Call Rex Law Chambers on 0161 989 9370 for confidential legal advice and help with your Health and Care Worker visa application. You can get help from our immigration lawyer in person, over the phone, via WhatsApp, email or live chat.
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