Health and Care Worker Visa

What is Health and Care Worker Visa (UK)

The Health and Care Worker visa allows medical professionals to enter or remain in the UK to work in eligible roles with the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care. This is one of the most popular UK Work Visa.

Job Requirements

To qualify for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must:

• Be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional, or adult social care professional.
• Hold a job in an eligible health or social care role.
• Work for a UK employer approved by the Home Office.
• Have a 'certificate of sponsorship' (CoS) from your employer detailing your UK role.
• Earn a minimum salary, which varies by job type.

Duration of Stay

The visa can be valid for up to 5 years. You must apply for an extension or update if it expires or if you change jobs or employers.

Extending Your Stay

You can extend your visa as many times as needed, provided you continue to meet the eligibility criteria. After 5 years, you may apply for permanent residency (indefinite leave to remain), granting you the right to live, work, and study in the UK indefinitely and access certain benefits.

Application Process

Apply up to 3 months before your start date in the UK, as stated on your CoS. You will need to prove your identity and submit relevant documents. An appointment may be required, depending on your application.

Decision Timeline

• 3 weeks if you’re outside the UK.
• 8 weeks if you’re inside the UK.

Faster processing options are available at an additional cost.

Permitted and Restricted Activities

What You Can Do

• Work in an eligible job.
• Take on additional work in certain circumstances.
• Do voluntary work.
• Study.
• Bring eligible dependants (partner and children).
• Travel abroad and return to the UK.
• Apply for permanent residency after 5 years if eligibility criteria are met.

What You Cannot Do

• Access most benefits (public funds) or the State Pension.
• Change jobs or employers without updating your visa.

Job Criteria

You must:

• Be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional, or adult social care professional.
• Hold an eligible job.
• Work for a UK health and care sector employer approved by the Home Office.
• Earn at least the minimum salary or the 'going rate' for your job, whichever is higher.

Your employer must ensure your job meets minimum wage requirements and UK work hour regulations.

Checking Job Eligibility

Your job must match one of the following occupation 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

Certificate of Sponsorship

Your employer will issue a CoS if you meet eligibility criteria. The CoS is an electronic record with a reference number needed for your visa application. Apply within 3 months of receiving your CoS.

Salary Requirements

You usually need to earn at least £23,200 or the 'going rate' for your job, whichever is higher. Each occupation code has its own annual going rate.

English Proficiency

You must demonstrate English proficiency at least at level B1 on the CEFR scale by:

• Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider.
• Holding certain UK school qualifications.
• Having a degree-level qualification taught in English, with Ecctis confirmation if obtained abroad.

Costs

To apply for a Health and Care Worker visa, you need funds to cover:

• Application fee: £284 for up to 3 years or £551 for more than 3 years, per person.
• Personal savings: usually at least £1,270 unless exempt.

Required Documents

You must provide:

• Certificate of sponsorship reference number.
• Proof of English proficiency.
• Valid passport or other identity and nationality documents.
• Job title and annual salary details.
• Job’s occupation code.
• Employer’s name and sponsor licence number.
• Evidence of personal savings, if applicable.
• Proof of relationship with dependants.
• Tuberculosis test results, if required.
• Criminal record certificate, if required for your job.
• UK PhD certificate or unique Ecctis reference number for qualifications obtained abroad.

Criminal Record Certificate

Required if you’re applying from outside the UK, unless your job is in one of the following occupation codes:

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

Dependants

Eligible partners and children can apply to join or stay with you in the UK. Their visa will usually match your visa's expiry date. Provide evidence of your relationship during application.

Extending Your Visa

You can extend your Health and Care Worker visa if you:

• Have the same job as when you were previously approved.
• Hold a job in the same occupation code.
• Continue to work for the same employer who issued your CoS.
• Meet salary requirements.

Do not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until a decision is made. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

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