UK Health and Care Worker Visa

The UK Health and Care Worker visa is open to doctors, nurses, health and social care professionals who wish to take an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care.

This is a route to Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) and applicants can be accompanied by dependent partners and children.

Whether you’re a UK employer who’s unable to meet your recruitment needs without recruiting migrant workers or a migrant requiring a visa, our dedicated private immigration team are best placed to assist you.

Our corporate immigration lawyers assist UK businesses, ranging from start-ups to SMEs to multi-nationals, on their Immigration law requirements so they can successfully apply for or renew their Sponsorship Licences to enable them to recruit migrant workers in compliance with the latest UK Immigration Rules.

Contact our UK Health and Care Worker Visa Solicitors in London and Croydon

Contact our Health and Care Worker visa lawyers in London today for specific advice and assistance.

For further information and a free telephone consultation, call our London or Croydon offices today on 0208 681 5128 and speak to one of our senior lawyers.

Our UK Health and Care Worker visa services in London and Croydon

Eligibility for the Health and Care Worker visa

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

Be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional.
Work in an eligible health or social care job which appears on the list of approved jobs.
Work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office.
Have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK.
Be paid the required minimum salary.
Satisfy the English language requirement.
Satisfy the financial requirement.
Provide a criminal record certificate.

The exact requirements depend on the applicant’s circumstances. It is therefore essential to take legal advice prior to submitting this application.

Fee Reductions

Applicants applying for Health and Care Worker visas benefit from significant application fee reductions. This reduction also applies to dependent family members.

Furthermore, applicants and dependent family members are exempt from paying the hefty Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

Visa Processing Times

The Home Office prioritise applications for Health and Care Worker visas. In our experience, applications are usually determined within 3 weeks of biometric enrolment.

Our team of experienced immigration solicitors will work with you to ensure your application is thoroughly compiled and swiftly submitted to ensure you meet your start date and career goals.

New Care Worker visa Sponsor Database

As of May 2024, a new online database has been made available to help care workers find companies licensed to sponsor migrant workers.

The database can be accessed here:

https://autonomy.work/care-visa-sponsor-database/

This not only assists migrants applying for care work jobs from overseas but also greatly assists care workers currently inside the UK looking to leave their current role and secure employment as a care worker with a new sponsor.

Frequently asked questions about Health and Care Worker visas

What is a Health and Care Worker visa?

The Health and Care Worker visa allows qualified healthcare professionals to come to or stay in the UK to work in eligible health and care roles.

It is part of the UK’s Skilled Worker visa scheme, designed to attract skilled workers to fill shortages in the healthcare sector.

The visa covers roles such as doctors, nurses, care workers, and social workers. Applicants can stay for up to five years, with the possibility of extending the visa or applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if they meet the requirements. It provides a pathway to permanent residency.

How long does a Health and Care Worker visa last for?

A Health and Care Worker visa lasts for up to five years. The applicant should think about extending their visa or settlement options, such as Indefinite Leave to Remain, before their visa expires.

Our award-winning team at BHD specialise in dealing with Health and Care Worker visa applications and offer very competitive rates.

How long can you stay in the UK on a Health and Care Worker visa?

There are no limits to the number of times an employee can apply to extend their Healthcare Worker visa, provided they continue to meet the visa eligibility criteria.

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain once an employee has met the residence requirement means they no longer require a visa and are free of immigration controls.

What are the Immigration conditions on a Health and Care Worker visa?

Immigration conditions on a Health and Care Worker visa include maintaining employment with a sponsoring employer.

If sponsored employment is lost, the visa will normally be curtailed to give the migrant worker a short period of time to secure employment with another sponsoring employer or apply for a different type of visa.

If you are worried about immigration conditions, it is best to take early immigration advice, as being in breach can affect your immigration status and prospects of successfully extending your visa or settling in the UK.

Can dependants of Health and Care Workers come to the UK?

The partners, children and those qualifying under the Immigration Rules as dependants can apply for a dependant visa to accompany an employee to the UK.

Dependants will benefit from reduced application fees and an exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge.

What are the minimum salary requirements for the Health and Care Worker visa in the UK?

To qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa, applicants must meet a minimum salary requirement. Typically, this is set at £20,960 per year or £10.10 per hour.

However, the salary threshold may vary depending on the specific job. For higher-skilled positions like doctors or nurses, the salary may be higher.

In some cases, the salary requirement can be reduced if the role is on the Shortage Occupation List. Employers can also apply for a lower salary threshold for certain eligible health and care roles.

What are the requirements for an employer to be an approved sponsor for this visa?

To be eligible to sponsor a Health and Care Worker visa, employers must hold a valid Sponsor Licence issued by the Home Office.

They must meet specific legal and compliance requirements, such as adhering to UK employment laws and ensuring they have the capability to monitor their sponsored workers.

Employers must also demonstrate that the position is on the list of eligible occupations and meets the required salary threshold.

The Home Office requires that the employer is committed to fulfilling their sponsor duties, including record-keeping and reporting responsibilities regarding their employees’ immigration status.

Is it possible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa if my current visa is a student visa?

Yes, it is possible to switch from a student visa to a Health and Care Worker visa, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

You must have a job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor for an eligible health or care role. You also need to meet the minimum salary requirements, which may vary depending on the role.

The application process for switching is similar to applying from outside the UK, but you will need to apply online, pay the visa fee, and submit supporting documents to prove your eligibility under the rules for the Health and Care Worker visa.

What job roles count as eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa?

Eligible roles for the Health and Care Worker visa include a range of healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, medical practitioners, social workers, and care workers.

The visa covers roles that help support the NHS and the broader health and social care sector. For a full list of qualifying job titles, the UK government publishes an eligible occupation list.

Jobs in fields such as mental health, physical therapy, and paramedic services may also be included. Applicants must ensure their role is listed to meet the visa criteria and work under an approved sponsor.

Can I change employer or job while on the visa?

Yes, you can switch employers or jobs while on the Health and Care Worker visa, but there are important steps to follow.

The new employer must be an approved sponsor by the Home Office and must offer you a role that meets the visa’s criteria, such as the appropriate salary and eligibility requirements.

You will need to apply to update your visa and, in some cases, reapply for a new visa. It’s essential to inform the Home Office about any changes, as failure to comply with visa conditions may result in visa cancellation or refusal of future applications.

Get expert advice from our Health and Care Worker visa solicitors in London and Croydon