UK Health and Care Worker visa

What this visa is and who it is for

The Health and Care Worker visa is a specialist version of the Skilled Worker route for people working in health and adult social care. It offers the same conditions as a Skilled Worker visa but with a lower application fee and no Immigration Health Surcharge to pay.

It is aimed at qualified professionals such as doctors, nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social workers, and adult social care workers who have a job offer from an approved UK employer. The employer must be the NHS, an organisation providing medical services to the NHS, or an organisation providing adult social care.

• It is a branch of the Skilled Worker route, not a separate standalone system - the underlying rules mirror Skilled Worker.
• The job must fall within an eligible occupation code and be offered by a licensed sponsor.
• Care workers (code 6135) and senior care workers (code 6136) in England must be employed by a sponsor registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must meet all of the core requirements below. These are rules, not optional guidance.

• Have a confirmed offer of an eligible job in health or adult social care
• Work for a UK employer that has been approved (licensed) by the Home Office
• Have a valid certificate of sponsorship from that employer for the job
• Be paid at least the minimum salary that applies to your job
• Meet the English language requirement
• Apply within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship

Eligible jobs and salary

Your job must be on the list of eligible occupation codes for this route. GOV.UK lists a set of primary codes covering roles such as doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, social workers and nursing auxiliaries. Care worker and senior care worker roles are also covered for extensions, updates and switches.

For salary, GOV.UK currently states that applicants will usually need to be paid at least £25,000, or the 'going rate' for the specific occupation if that going rate is higher. A number of occupation codes have their own different salary rules, so you must check the figure that applies to your exact job.

Salary thresholds and going rates for this route are set separately from the general Skilled Worker thresholds and are reviewed regularly - always verify the amount for your occupation code on GOV.UK before relying on it.

• Standard minimum: usually at least £25,000, as stated on GOV.UK.
• If the going rate for your occupation code is higher than the standard minimum, you must normally be paid at least the going rate.
• Several occupation codes (including some manager, scientist, technician and care roles) have their own separate salary rules.

English language requirement

New applicants must prove knowledge of English to at least level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

There are several accepted ways to prove this, and some applicants are exempt.

• Pass an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at the required level.
• Hold a degree-level qualification taught in English - a non-UK degree needs Ecctis confirmation of its equivalence.
• Be a national of one of the listed majority English-speaking countries (nationality exemption).
• Doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives may meet it through their professional body's language assessment.
• People who proved English on a previous UK visa usually do not need to prove it again.

Costs and money you need

The application fee for this route is lower than a standard Skilled Worker visa. In addition, neither the worker nor their dependants pay the Immigration Health Surcharge - a significant saving, as the surcharge is charged per person per year on most other routes.

Applicants must also show they can support themselves financially unless they are exempt.

• Application fee: £324 per person if applying for up to 3 years, or £628 per person for more than 3 years.
• Immigration Health Surcharge: exempt - £0 for the worker, partner and children.
• Personal savings: you must show £1,270, held for at least 28 days in a row, with day 28 falling within 31 days of applying.
• You do not need to show the £1,270 if you have already been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or more, or if your employer certifies (in the 'sponsor certifies maintenance' section) that they will cover your costs during your first month.

How to apply

Applications are made online. The exact form depends on whether you are applying from outside the UK or from inside the UK (to extend or switch).

You must apply within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship, and you cannot apply more than 3 months before your job start date shown on that certificate. As part of the process you must prove your identity and provide your supporting documents, either by using the UK Immigration: ID Check app or by attending a visa application centre to give biometrics.

• Apply online on GOV.UK and pay the fee.
• Prove your identity via the ID Check app or at a visa application centre.
• Provide your certificate of sponsorship reference number and supporting documents.

Documents you will usually need

• Your certificate of sponsorship reference number from your employer
• A valid passport or other travel document
• Proof you meet the English language requirement
• Proof of personal savings (£1,270), unless you are exempt
• Your job title, occupation code and annual salary
• For some professions, evidence of professional registration or qualifications
• A criminal record certificate if required for your job (for example some healthcare and social care roles), and a tuberculosis test result if you are from a listed country

How long a decision takes

Once you have applied, proved your identity and provided your documents, you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks if you are applying from outside the UK. Faster decision services are sometimes available for an extra fee. Processing times can vary, so check current guidance when you apply.

Partner and children

Your partner and children can usually apply to join you or stay with you in the UK as your dependants, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Like the main applicant, dependants do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Each dependant makes their own application and pays the application fee. Additional financial requirements apply for dependants - check the exact amounts on GOV.UK before applying.

Length of stay and extending

The visa can be granted for up to 5 years at a time, tied to the length of your sponsored employment. You can extend it as many times as you like, provided you still meet the requirements and still have an eligible sponsored job.

You must apply to update your visa if you change job, employer, or occupation code. If you change to a role with a different sponsor, you generally need a new certificate of sponsorship and a fresh application before starting the new job.

Switching to this visa

Many people already in the UK on another visa can switch into the Health and Care Worker route without leaving the country, as long as they have an eligible sponsored job and meet the requirements. You cannot usually switch if you are in the UK on a visitor visa or certain short-term routes.

Settlement (indefinite leave to remain)

Time spent on this visa can count towards settlement. Most people can apply for indefinite leave to remain after 5 years of continuous residence in the UK on a qualifying route, provided they still meet the salary and other requirements and pass the Life in the UK test. Settlement rules and qualifying periods can change, so confirm the current criteria on GOV.UK before applying.