What is a Health and Care Visa?
The Health and Care Visa is a distinct category under the UK’s Skilled Worker route, crafted specifically for healthcare professionals aiming to fill qualifying positions in the UK’s health and social care sectors. It targets qualified doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and adult social care workers who have secured job offers from licensed UK employers.
The visa aims to address the shortage of skilled healthcare workers in the UK by providing an accessible and streamlined immigration route. Successful applicants are permitted to work in the UK for up to five years with the potential to extend their stay indefinitely as long as they fulfill ongoing eligibility requirements.
Key benefits of the Health and Care Visa include:
- Faster visa processing times
- Lower application fees
- Exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge
All of which makes it a more attractive alternative to the Skilled Worker Visa. Like most other work visas, Health Care Visa holders will be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) which allows living and working in the UK with no restrictions and permanently.
However, eligibility is limited to those in specified healthcare roles and occupations approved by the Home Office. Dependants, except those of care workers and senior care workers with occupation codes 6145 and 6146 can accompany or join Health and Care Visa holders in the UK.
Skilled Worker Visa is also an option if you do not meet Health and Care visa requirements.
Health and Care Worker Visa Eligible Jobs
To qualify for a Health and Care Worker Visa, you must have a job offer in one of the eligible health or social care roles, as specified by the UK Home Office. These roles are defined by their Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes, which include a wide range of healthcare and social care professions:
| Code | Job Title |
| 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 |
Only roles within these specified categories are eligible for the Health and Care Worker Visa. If your job is not on this list but falls within other healthcare or social care sectors, you may still be eligible under the general Skilled Worker route.
Health and Care Employers With Sponsorship
To qualify for the Health and Care Worker Visa in the UK, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria related to their employment and the nature of the sponsoring organisation. Here’s a detailed look at these requirements:
Sponsoring Organisations
The visa applicant must be offered a job with an employer that holds a valid sponsor licence. Eligible employers typically fall into several categories within the health and care sectors:
- NHS Bodies and Trusts: This includes NHS Foundation Trusts and NHS Trusts across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
- Medical Services Providers to the NHS: These are private organisations that deliver healthcare services commissioned by the NHS.
- Organisations Providing Adult Social Care: This can include various entities involved in social care services.
- Regulated Institutions: Organisations must be registered with appropriate regulatory bodies such as:
- Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England
- Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland
- Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority
- Care Inspectorate Wales
Specific Councils and Bodies
Employees or contractors working for organisations registered with the following councils and bodies are also eligible:
- General Chiropractic Council
- General Dental Council
- General Medical Council
- General Optical Council
- General Osteopathic Council
- General Pharmaceutical Council
- Health and Care Professions Council
- Northern Ireland Social Care Council
- Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland
- Scottish Social Services Council
- Social Care Wales
Documentation and Evidence
- Contractual Arrangements: If the UK sponsor is a private organisation providing NHS-commissioned healthcare services, it may be necessary to provide documentation detailing the contractual arrangements with the NHS.
- CQC Registration: From 11 March 2024, care providers in England looking to sponsor migrant workers must be registered with the CQC. This registration requirement, however, does not apply retrospectively, meaning that care workers already on this route before this date can extend their permission and settle without needing their sponsor to meet this new CQC regulation.
Requirements for Health and Care Visa
To qualify for a Health and Care Worker Visa in the UK, applicants must meet several criteria set by the UK Visas and Immigration. This visa is designed for qualified healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and allied health workers, as well as those working in the adult social care sector. Below are the key requirements:
Age and Professional Qualifications
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and qualified in a relevant profession, such as a doctor, nurse, allied health professional, or adult social care worker. The job must be within an eligible health or social care role, identified by specific Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes.
Job Offer and Sponsorship
You must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer that is approved by the Home Office to sponsor workers. A valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) must be issued by the employer detailing the role and including the SOC code of the job. If applying for a role as a care worker or senior care worker, the employer must be regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Salary Requirements
Applicants must meet the minimum salary threshold for their job. For the majority of Health and Care Worker visa applications made from 4 April 2024 onwards, the minimum salary requirement is set at £23,200 or the going rate associated with the job’s SOC code, depending on which is greater. Certain exceptions may apply, such as holding a relevant PhD or being a new entrant at the start of their career, where lower thresholds could be acceptable.
English Language Proficiency
You must demonstrate proficiency in English to at least the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level B1, equivalent to an IELTS score of 4.0. This can be shown through an approved English language test or an academic qualification recognised as equivalent to a UK degree.
- Nationality: You are a national of a majority English-speaking country (such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or certain Caribbean countries).
- Secure English Language Test (SELT): You have passed an approved SELT at CEFR level B1 or higher.
- Academic Qualification: You possess a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree that was conducted in English and has been verified by Ecctis as being equivalent to a degree from the UK.
- UK School Qualifications: You obtained a GCSE, A-Level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher, or Advanced Higher in English while attending school in the UK.
- Previous Application: You have already demonstrated English proficiency at the required level (B1 or higher) in a prior successful visa application for entry clearance or permission to stay.
Financial Maintenance
Applicants need to prove they have sufficient personal savings to support themselves upon arrival in the UK, usually by having at least £1,270 in their bank account for 28 consecutive days. This requirement is waived for applicants who have been in the UK for over 12 months or have a sponsor willing to cover their initial costs.
Criminal Record and Health Requirements
If working with vulnerable individuals, you must provide a criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the past 10 years. Additionally, if you are from a country where tuberculosis (TB) testing is required, you must provide a valid TB test certificate.
Immigration Skills Charge and Additional Requirements
Your sponsor must pay the Immigration Skills Charge, and you must ensure you meet any other specific requirements relevant to your situation, such as having a valid travel history or documents for the past five years.
Meeting these criteria is essential for securing a Health and Care Worker Visa and beginning your career in the UK’s health or social care sector.
Salary Requirements for the Health and Care Worker Visa
To be eligible for the Health and Care Worker Visa, applicants must meet specific salary requirements as set out by the UK Home Office. These requirements ensure fair compensation for healthcare professionals and are based on the role, experience, and additional attributes of the applicant. Below is a detailed overview of the salary thresholds, including possible exceptions and the points system for eligibility.
General Salary Thresholds
- Standard Requirement:
- The general minimum salary threshold is £29,000 per year or the going rate for the job’s SOC 2020 occupation code, whichever is higher.
- For roles covered by national pay scales, the salary must be at least £23,200 or the specific national pay scale rate, whichever is higher.
- Occupations on the Immigration Salary List (ISL):
- For jobs listed on the Immigration Salary List (formerly known as the Shortage Occupation List), the minimum salary requirement is £23,200 per year or the going rate for the job’s SOC code, whichever is higher.
Exceptions Based on ‘Tradable Points’
Applicants can meet a lower salary threshold by earning additional points through specific criteria. The following are scenarios where a reduced salary threshold is permitted:
- Relevant PhD Qualification (Option G):
- Minimum Salary: £26,100 per year
- Requirement: 90% of the going rate for the job’s SOC code
- Points Available: 20 points
- STEM PhD Qualification (Option H):
- Minimum Salary: £23,200 per year
- Requirement: 80% of the going rate for the job’s SOC code
- Points Available: 20 points
- Job on the Immigration Salary List (Option I):
- Minimum Salary: £23,200 per year
- Requirement: Must meet the going rate for the job’s SOC code
- Points Available: 20 points
- New Entrants to the Labour Market (Option J):
- Minimum Salary: £23,200 per year
- Requirement: 70% of the going rate for the job’s SOC code
- Points Available: 20 points
- Definition: New entrants include those under 26 years, recent graduates, or individuals in professional training.
Additional Salary Requirements Based on Specific Roles
- Jobs not on National Pay Scales:
- Minimum salary threshold is £29,000 per year or the going rate for the SOC code, whichever is higher.
- Health and Care Visa Occupations:
- For roles within the health and care sector, including care workers and senior care workers, the salary requirement is £23,200 per year or the applicable rate for the SOC code, whichever is higher.
Summary of Salary Requirements
| Option | Minimum Salary Threshold (from 4 April 2024) | Additional Requirements | Points Available |
| Standard (F) | £29,000 per year | Must meet or exceed the going rate for the SOC code | 20 |
| Relevant PhD (G) | £26,100 per year | 90% of the going rate for the SOC code | 20 |
| STEM PhD (H) | £23,200 per year | 80% of the going rate for the SOC code | 20 |
| Job on Immigration Salary List (I) | £23,200 per year | Must meet or exceed the going rate for the SOC code | 20 |
| New Entrant (J) | £23,200 per year | 70% of the going rate for the SOC code | 20 |
| Health or Education Role (K) | £23,200 per year | Must meet or exceed the going rate for the SOC code | 20 |
How Does the ‘Tradable Points’ System Work
The tradable points system allows for flexibility in meeting the salary requirements based on qualifications, job roles, and other attributes. Points are awarded for different criteria, and applicants can combine points to meet the overall threshold needed for visa approval.
- Relevant Qualifications: Higher degrees such as PhDs, especially in STEM fields, can significantly reduce the minimum salary requirement.
- Job Role and Sector: Jobs listed on the Immigration Salary List or within the health and care sector benefit from lower minimum salary requirements.
- New Entrants: Young professionals, recent graduates, and trainees can qualify with a lower salary threshold, recognising the early stage of their careers.
Financial Maintenance Requirement for Health and Care Worker Visa
When applying for a Health and Care Worker Visa, applicants must demonstrate they have sufficient funds to support themselves in the UK, unless they qualify for an exemption. This financial requirement ensures that visa holders can sustain themselves without recourse to public funds.
General Maintenance Requirement
- Cash Funds: Applicants must have at least £1,270 in their bank account, maintained for 28 consecutive days. The 28-day period must end no more than 31 days before the visa application date.
Exemptions from the Financial Requirement
You do not need to meet the financial maintenance requirement if:
- Current UK Residents: You are already in the UK and have held valid permission to stay for 12 months or more at the date of your application.
- Sponsor Certification: Your UK employer, if they are an A-rated sponsor, can certify that they will cover your costs for the first month of your stay in the UK, up to £1,270. This must be indicated on your Certificate of Sponsorship by completing the ‘Sponsor certifies maintenance’ section.
How to Apply for a Health and Care Worker Visa
To apply for a Health and Care Worker Visa, follow these steps:
- Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
You must first receive a Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK employer approved by the Home Office. This unique reference number is essential for your visa application. - Complete the Online Application
Go to the UK government’s visa application portal and fill out the Health and Care Worker Visa form, using your CoS number to verify your job offer and sponsorship. - Pay the Application Fee
Pay the relevant visa fee, which is lower for Health and Care Worker Visa applicants compared to other visa categories. - Prepare and Submit Supporting Documents
Submit all required documents, such as:- A valid passport or travel document
- Expired passports or travel documents to show travel history
- Employer’s name, sponsor licence reference number, job title, SOC code, and salary details
- Proof of personal savings, if required
- English language proficiency proof
- Tuberculosis test results (if applicable)
- Criminal record certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of relationship for dependants (e.g., marriage or birth certificates)
- Enrol Biometrics
After submitting your application, you will be instructed to either book an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your biometrics or use an ID check app to complete this step online. - Await a Decision
The Home Office will review your application and supporting documents. Decisions typically take three weeks for those applying from outside the UK and eight weeks if applying from within the UK.
Health and Care Worker Visa Cost
The Health and Care Worker Visa offers reduced application fees for eligible applicants and their dependents, applicable for both entry clearance from outside the UK and for those applying to stay or switch within the UK. The fee for a visa valid for three years or less is £284, while the fee for a visa exceeding three years is £551. These reduced fees apply whether the applicant is taking up a role on the Shortage Occupation List or any other eligible position. The fee reduction is automatically applied during the online application process, ensuring lower costs for healthcare professionals and their families.
| Visa Type | Duration | Applicant | Fee |
| Health and Care Worker Visa | 3 years or less | Main applicant and dependents | £284 |
| Health and Care Worker Visa | Over 3 years | Main applicant and dependents | £551 |
| Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Worker Visa | 3 years or less | Main applicant and dependents | £284 |
| Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Worker Visa | Over 3 years | Main applicant and dependents | £551 |
These fees are consistent for all Health and Care Worker Visa applications, whether made from outside the UK or within, providing a straightforward and affordable route for healthcare professionals.
Health and Care Worker Visa Processing Times
Health and Care Worker Visa applications benefit from expedited processing, with most applicants receiving a decision within three weeks of submitting their biometric information. This faster timeframe is designed to support healthcare professionals and is quicker than the standard processing time for other Skilled Worker visas.
Applicants can apply for the visa up to three months before their intended start date in the UK. For those needing an even quicker decision, the Home Office offers priority services through the UK Immigration: ID Check app or via in-person appointments, both within and outside the UK.
Health and Care Visa Dependants
As of March 2024, Health and Care Worker visa holders are generally not permitted to bring dependants to the UK under the dependant visa route. However, this restriction specifically affects social care workers (occupation codes 6145 and 6146) applying for visas after this date. Those with visas granted before 11 March 2024 may still be joined by dependants, including spouses or partners and children under 18, even if they change employers to another approved sponsor.
For other healthcare professionals under the Health and Care Worker Visa route, dependants may still accompany or join them in the UK, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. In such cases, a fee reduction and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge apply to dependants, including partners and children.
If a visa holder already in the UK wishes for their dependants to join them, their UK sponsor must provide a written confirmation of eligibility, such as a letter or email detailing the organisation’s compliance with visa regulations.
Health and Care Worker Visa Conditions
Health and Care Worker Visa holders must adhere to specific conditions set by the Home Office, including notifying them of any changes in employment or circumstances.
1. Taking on Additional Work or a Second Job
Visa holders can take on additional work without updating their visa in the following cases:
- Working overtime or ‘bank shifts’ for their NHS sponsor.
- Taking up to 20 hours of additional work per week in a role with the same occupational code as their sponsored job or a job on the Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List).
- Undertaking unpaid, voluntary work.
However, the visa must be updated if:
- Additional work exceeds 20 hours per week.
- The work is in a different occupational code or at a different level from their primary sponsored role.
2. Changing Jobs with a Health and Care Visa
Visa holders must inform the Home Office if they change jobs or employers. Specifically, they need to update their visa if:
- They start a new job with a different employer.
- The new job has a different occupational code from their current role.
- They leave a job on the shortage occupation list and begin a new job that is not listed.
Adhering to these conditions is essential to remain compliant with the terms of the Health and Care Worker Visa.
Extending a Health and Care Worker Visa
Health and Care Worker Visas are typically granted for up to five years. To continue residing in the UK lawfully, you may need to apply for an extension before your current visa expires. You are eligible to extend your visa if you:
- Remain employed in the same job role and with the same occupation code as stated in your previous visa application.
- Continue to meet the salary requirements for your role.
- Are still employed by the same UK sponsor who issued your current Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
After five years in the UK, you may also choose to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) instead of extending your visa, allowing you to settle permanently without further visa requirements.
If you have family members in the UK on dependant visas, they will also need to apply for an extension or ILR before their current visas expire to remain eligible as your dependants.
Applying for ILR with a Health and Care Worker Visa
Health and Care Worker Visa holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after residing in the UK for five years, either solely under this visa or in combination with other eligible work visa categories. The qualifying period begins from the date your initial visa application was approved, and you can apply for ILR up to 28 days before completing the five-year period.
Qualifying Visa Categories for ILR: You may combine time spent on any of the following visas to meet the five-year requirement:
- Health and Care Worker
- Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General)
- Any Tier 1 visa, except Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)
- Scale-up Worker
- T2 Minister of Religion or Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)
- International Sportsperson, T2 Sportsperson, or Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
- Innovator or Innovator Founder
- Global Talent
- Representative of an Overseas Business
ILR Application Requirements: To qualify for ILR, you must:
- Have lived and worked in the UK for a continuous period of five years.
- Not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during those five years.
- Be continuously employed by a Home Office-approved sponsor who still requires your services.
- Continue to meet the minimum salary threshold or the relevant going rate for your occupation.
- Pass the Life in the UK test.
- Meet the English language requirement.
- Not fall under the general grounds for refusal.
Applicants should use form SET (O) to apply for ILR. Meeting these requirements will enable Health and Care Worker Visa holders to settle permanently in the UK.
FAQs
What is the Immigration Salary List?
The Immigration Salary List is a list maintained by the Home Office that identifies skilled roles where there is a recognised shortage of workers in the UK. Employers find it challenging to recruit enough qualified candidates domestically for these positions, allowing them to sponsor non-UK nationals under certain visa categories, such as the Health and Care Worker Visa, at a lower salary threshold than the general requirement.
For occupations eligible under the Health and Care Worker Visa that are listed on the Immigration Salary List, employers can offer a salary of at least £23,200 per year or the going rate for the job’s SOC 2020 occupation code, whichever is higher. This provision helps fill critical roles in the health and social care sectors by enabling employers to attract skilled professionals from overseas while adhering to a more flexible salary framework.
Who is considered a ‘New Entrant to the Labour Market’?
A ‘New Entrant to the Labour Market’ refers to individuals who are at the early stages of their professional careers and, therefore, qualify for a reduced salary threshold under certain visa categories, including the Health and Care Worker Visa. The following groups are considered new entrants:
Age Criteria: Applicants under the age of 26 at the time of their visa application.
Visa Transition: Those switching from a Student Visa or Graduate Visa to a Health and Care Worker Visa.
Specified Roles: Individuals sponsored in specific postdoctoral research positions.
Professional Development: Those working towards obtaining professional qualifications, registration, or chartered status in their field.
However, an applicant will not qualify as a new entrant if granting their visa would result in a combined period of more than four years as a Skilled Worker, Tier 2 Migrant, or Graduate Visa holder. This limitation ensures that the reduced salary threshold is reserved for those genuinely at the start of their careers.
Can I switch to a Health and Care Visa?
If you currently hold leave to remain in another immigration category, you may be eligible to switch to the Health and Care Worker Visa, provided you do not fall under specific ineligible categories. You cannot switch to this visa if you have, or were last granted, permission as:
1. Visitor
2. Short-term Student
3. Parent of a Child Student
4. Seasonal Worker
5. Domestic Worker in a Private Household
6. Someone with leave to remain outside of the Immigration Rules
Switching from a Student Visa:
If you have, or last had, permission as a Student, you may switch to the Health and Care Worker Visa route only if you meet one of the following conditions:
Completed Course of Study: You have completed the course for which your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) was assigned.
Early Course Completion: The course finished before the start date on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
PhD Course Condition: You were enrolled in a course leading to a PhD award and have completed at least 24 months of the course.
The cost of applying for a Health and Care Worker Visa depends on the duration specified in the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and whether the application is made from within or outside the UK.
The fees are as follows:
Visa for up to three years: £284 for both main applicants and dependants.
Visa for over three years: £551 for both main applicants and dependants.
These fees apply equally to applications made outside the UK or for extending or switching visas from within the UK. Applicants and their dependents are also required to have at least £1,270 in savings to support themselves, unless the sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS.
Are Health and Care Visa applicants exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge?
Health and Care Worker Visa applicants and their dependents are exempt from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This exemption significantly reduces the overall cost of healthcare professionals and their families relocating to the UK, allowing them to access the National Health Service (NHS) without the additional financial burden of the surcharge.
