Health and Care Worker Visa (UK)

If you are a qualified healthcare professional looking to work in the UK, the Health and Care Worker Visa offers a dedicated route to live and work in the country.This visa is designed to attract skilled medical professionals and support the UK’s healthcare sector. Below, you will find a detailed overview of the requirements and application process.

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What is the Health and Care Worker Visa?

The Health and Care Worker Visa is a specialist immigration route for overseas medical professionals who wish to work in the UK. This includes roles within the NHS, organisations providing services to the NHS, and the adult social care sector. The route has been designed to make it more accessible for healthcare professionals to come to the UK. It offers lower visa fees, faster processing times, and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. From April 2025, employers are required to prioritise recruiting international workers who are already in the UK before sponsoring candidates from overseas. This visa operates under the Skilled Worker framework but is limited to specific health and care roles. It allows you to live and work in the UK for up to 5 years. At the end of this period, you may extend your visa if you continue to meet the requirements. There is no limit on the number of extensions. After 5 years of continuous residence, you may also be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

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Health and Care Worker Visa (UK)

OVERVIEW

Specialist Advice and Representation

Our specialist solicitors have extensive experience advising and supporting applicants at every stage of the process. We are highly skilled in preparing strong, well-structured applications, from straightforward cases to the most complex matters.

Our specialist immigration lawyers will take the time to understand your situation and objectives. We will allocate the most suitable lawyer – or team of lawyers where required -and develop a clear, strategic plan tailored to your needs. Our focus is always on delivering the best possible outcome in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Who Can Apply?

The Health and Care Worker Visa is open to qualified professionals working in eligible healthcare roles.

To qualify, you must:

Be a qualified doctor, nurse, allied health professional, or adult social care worker
Be employed in an eligible occupation within the health or care sector
Have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office
Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by your employer
Meet the required salary threshold for your role
Demonstrate English language ability to at least CEFR Level B1 (unless exempt)

You may be exempt from the English requirement if you are from a majority English-speaking country or hold a recognised qualification taught in English.

Salary Requirements

In most cases, you must be paid at least £29,000 per year or the going rate for your role, whichever is higher. Each occupation has its own salary benchmark. If the going rate for your role exceeds £29,000, you must meet that higher figure.

Roles with Specific Salary Rules

Different salary provisions apply to certain occupation codes, including:

Health services and public health managers
Healthcare practice managers
Care home managers
Biochemists and biomedical scientists
Physical scientists
Physiotherapists
Laboratory technicians
Dispensing opticians
Pharmaceutical technicians
Care workers and senior care workers

For these roles, the same principle applies: you must meet at least £29,000 or the role’s going rate.

Reduced Salary Options

In some circumstances, you may still qualify with a lower salary (between 70% and 90% of the going rate) if:

You are under 26, in training, or a recent graduate
You hold a relevant STEM PhD
You are working in a postdoctoral research role

If your role is on the Immigration Salary List, the minimum threshold may be £25,000 per year, or the going rate, whichever is higher.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the official UK government portal under the Skilled Worker route. During the process, you must confirm that you are applying under the Health and Care category.As part of your application, you will need to:

Complete the application form
Prove your identity
Submit supporting documents
Pay the relevant visa fee

You can prove your identity either by using the UK Immigration ID Check app or by attending a biometric appointment to provide fingerprints and a photograph. You may apply up to 3 months before your intended start date. Most applications are decided within 3 weeks.

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

A valid Certificate of Sponsorship is essential. This is an electronic record issued by your UK employer.For Health and Care applications, the CoS must also include confirmation of how your role meets the specific requirements of this visa route.If your employer provides services to the NHS, they may also need to evidence their contractual relationship with the NHS.Employers must prioritise recruiting workers already in the UK before sponsoring overseas applicants.

Approved Employers

You must be employed by a UK organisation authorised by the Home Office to sponsor overseas workers. This includes:

NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts
Organisations regulated by the Care Quality Commission
Social care providers regulated under relevant UK legislation
NHS service providers and GP federations
Bodies regulated by recognised healthcare authorities

Approved Employers

Most applicants must provide a criminal record certificate. Exemptions apply to certain roles, including:

Biochemists and biomedical scientists
Physical scientists
Laboratory technicians
Some ambulance staff roles

The requirement depends on your age and where you have lived:

If under 28: certificates are required for countries where you lived for 12 months or more since age 18
If 28 or over: certificates are required for countries lived in during the past 10 years

Financial Requirement

You must usually show that you have at least £1,270 in savings, held for 28 consecutive days before your application.You do not need to meet this requirement if:

You have been in the UK for 12 months or more, or
Your employer agrees to cover your initial costs (confirmed on your CoS)

English Language Requirement

You must demonstrate English language ability at CEFR Level B1 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.This can be met by:

Passing an approved English language test
Holding relevant UK school qualifications
Holding a degree taught in English
Being a national of a majority English-speaking country

Working Additional Jobs

You may take on additional work alongside your main role, provided you continue working in the job listed on your CoS.In some cases, you will need to inform the Home Office, particularly if:

The additional role exceeds 20 hours per week
The role is in a different occupation code

You do not need to notify the Home Office if:

You work extra hours for the same employer
You undertake NHS bank shifts
You work up to 20 hours in the same occupation code for another employer

Visa Duration and Extension

The Health and Care Worker Visa is typically granted for up to 5 years.You may extend your visa as many times as you wish, provided you continue to meet the requirements, including:

Remaining in the same role and occupation code
Continuing employment with your sponsor
Meeting the salary threshold

Extension applications are submitted online and are usually decided within 3 weeks.

Bringing Family Members

Depending on your role, you may be able to bring dependants, including:

Your partner (spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner)
Your children under 18
Children over 18 who are already your dependants in the UK

Care workers and senior care workers are generally not permitted to bring dependants if their visa was granted after March 2024.Dependants must meet financial requirements:

£285 for a partner
£315 for one child

£200 for each additional child

If Your Application is Refused

If your application is refused, you will receive a decision explaining the reasons.

You may have the option to:

Request an administrative review
Lodge an appeal (where applicable)
Submit a fresh application

Before reapplying, it is important to address any issues identified in the refusal.

Switching to This Visa

You may be able to switch to the Health and Care Worker Visa from within the UK if you meet all requirements.You cannot switch if you currently hold certain visas, including:

Visitor visa
Short-term student visa
Seasonal worker visa
Domestic worker visa
Immigration bail or discretionary leave

Students may switch if they have completed their course or meet specific study conditions.

Switching to This Visa

After 5 years in the UK on this visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.To qualify, you must:

Have lived and worked in the UK continuously for 5 years
Continue to meet the salary requirements
Have confirmation from your employer that your role is still required
Pass the Life in the UK test

You can apply up to 28 days before completing your 5-year qualifying period.

The current application fee for ILR is £3,029.

Specialist Legal Advice and Representation

The requirements for a Scale Up Visa can vary significantly depending on your individual circumstances. Careful preparation and a clear legal strategy are essential to ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules and is supported by the appropriate evidence.Our specialist immigration lawyers provide comprehensive legal advice and representation, guiding you through each stage of the application process with precision, clarity, and a focus on achieving a successful outcome.

Our Service

We offer a fully managed service on a fixed-fee basis, covering all aspects of your application from initial instruction through to a decision by the Home Office.

If instructed, your matter will be handled by a specialist immigration lawyer who will:

Take detailed instructions to establish all relevant facts
Advise you on the eligibility and suitability requirements of your application
Assess the strengths and potential risks in your case, and advise on how these may be addressed
Provide a tailored schedule of supporting documents
Review all documentation to ensure compliance with the Immigration Rules and required format
Advise on any additional evidence required following review
Prepare and complete your application form for your approval
Draft detailed legal representations demonstrating how the requirements are met
Prepare witness statements where necessary
Submit your application and supporting documents via the Home Office portal
Arrange your biometric enrolment appointment
Liaise with the Home Office on your behalf, including responding to any further enquiries

Where appropriate, we will also take steps to secure priority processing in order to minimise decision times.

Our Approach

Our approach is defined by careful preparation, technical expertise, and a clear focus on results. Each application is handled with close attention to detail to ensure that it is properly evidenced, accurately presented, and aligned with Home Office requirements.

Your matter will be assigned to a lawyer with specialist expertise in immigration law, who will manage your case throughout. In more complex matters, additional specialist input will be provided to ensure a thorough and considered approach.

We provide a flexible service to clients based in the UK and internationally. Consultations and case handling can be conducted remotely without compromising on quality, alongside in-person meetings where preferred.

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