UK Health and Care Worker Visa Guidance

This guide provides a clear overview of the Health and Care Worker Visa. This visa forms part of the Skilled Worker route, meaning applicants must meet all the relevant Skilled Worker requirements in addition to specific criteria for health and care roles.

What is the Health and Care Worker Visa?

The Health and Care Worker Visa is designed for qualified professionals working in healthcare and social care roles. It allows eligible individuals to live and work in the UK in roles such as doctors, nurses, and care workers.

Introduced on 4 August 2020, this visa supports the healthcare sector by offering a faster and more affordable immigration route. Applicants benefit from reduced visa fees, quicker processing times, and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge

Who Can Apply for a Health and Care Worker Visa?

You may be eligible if you meet the following criteria:

  • You are a doctor or nurse
  • You are an allied health professional
  • You work in an eligible social care role
  • You have a job offer from an approved sponsor
  • You meet the required English language standard

Benefits of the Health and Care Worker Visa

This visa offers several advantages compared to other work routes:

  • Faster decision-making process
  • Lower application fees
  • No Immigration Health Surcharge
  • Ability to bring dependants
  • Route to settlement after qualifying residence

Eligible Job Role (SOC Codes) For Health And Care Worker Visa

To qualify, your job must fall under an approved occupation listed under Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes.

Eligible roles include:

  • Doctors and medical practitioners
  • Nurses and midwives
  • Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and radiographers
  • Psychologists and therapists
  • Pharmacists, optometrists, and dental professionals
  • Social workers
  • Care workers and senior care workers (subject to additional rules)
  • Paramedics and ambulance staff
  • Laboratory and pharmacy technicians

You must ensure your role is on the approved occupation list to be eligible.

Approved Employer Requirement

You must be employed by an organisation that is authorised to sponsor workers. This may include:

  • Public healthcare bodies
  • Local authorities or health boards
  • Regulated health and social care providers
  • Organisations registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
  • Recognised social care regulatory bodies
  • Approved professional regulatory organisations

Special Rules for Care Workers and Senior Care Workers

If your role falls under:

  • Care Worker (SOC 6135)
  • Senior Care Worker (SOC 6136)

Then the following rules apply:

  • Your employer must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
  • If switching into this route, you must have worked legally for your sponsor for at least 3 months before the Certificate of Sponsorship is issued
  • Transitional rules may apply for individuals granted visas before 11 March 2024

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) For Health And Care Worker Visa

A valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is required for your application. This document confirms key details, including:

  • Your job title
  • SOC occupation code
  • Salary offered
  • Employment start date

Minimum Salary Requirement

To qualify for this visa, you will usually need a salary of at least £25,000 per year.

However:

  • If the “going rate” for your role is higher than £25,000, you must be paid the higher amount
  • The applicable salary is determined by your job’s SOC code

Jobs With Different Salary Rules

Some occupations have different salary thresholds. These include:

  • 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
  • 3111 – Laboratory technicians
  • 3211 – Dispensing opticians
  • 3212 – Pharmaceutical technicians
  • 6135 – Care workers and home carers
  • 6136 – Senior care workers

For these roles, salary levels may vary, and in certain situations, lower pay may be permitted if specific conditions are satisfied.

Salary Requirements for Other Health and Care Jobs

If your role is not listed above, salary levels are usually based on national healthcare pay structures.

These:

  • Follow official pay bands
  • Vary depending on the role and employer structure
  • Typically meet visa salary requirements when applied correctly

It is important to confirm your pay level with your employer before applying.

Key Points to Remember

  • Minimum salary is generally £25,000, unless the going rate is higher
  • You must meet the higher of the two salary thresholds
  • Special rules apply to care workers and senior care workers
  • Some roles follow structured pay scales
  • Salary details must match your Certificate of Sponsorship

Requirements for a Health and Care Worker Visa

To successfully apply, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Hold a relevant professional qualification or role in healthcare or social care
  • Have a job that falls under an eligible occupation code
  • Be employed by an approved sponsor
  • Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship
  • Meet the English language requirement at CEFR Level B1
  • Be paid at least the minimum salary or the going rate, whichever is higher
  • Show sufficient funds to support yourself, unless your sponsor confirms maintenance
  • Provide a criminal record certificate if working with vulnerable individuals
  • Submit a tuberculosis (TB) certificate where required

Documents Required for Health and Care Worker Visa

You will typically need to provide:

  • Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
  • Proof of English language ability
  • Valid passport or identity document
  • Job title and annual salary details
  • Occupation (SOC) code
  • Employer’s name and sponsor licence number

Application Fees For Health And Care Worker Visa

The application fee depends on the length of your visa:

  • Up to 3 years – £304 per person
  • More than 3 years – £590 per person

The same fees apply whether you apply from inside or outside the UK.

How Long It Takes to Get a Decision

After submitting your application and completing identity checks, a decision is usually made within 3 weeks.

Delays may occur if:

  • Additional document verification is required
  • You are asked to attend an interview
  • Your personal circumstances require further review

Money to Support Yourself

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to support yourself.

  • The funds must be held for at least 28 consecutive days
  • Day 28 must fall within 31 days before your application

You may not need to show this if your sponsor confirms financial support on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

Switch to Health and Care Worker Visa

You may be able to switch to this visa from another visa category while already in the UK.

If you switch:

  • Your dependants do not automatically switch
  • They must apply separately if they wish to remain under this route
  • Their current visa remains valid until its expiry date

How Long You Can Stay

You can stay in the UK for the duration of your sponsorship, for up to 5 years at a time.

Your Certificate of Sponsorship will specify how long your employer is sponsoring you for.

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