Health and Care Worker visa

A Health and Care Worker visa is a special category under the Skilled Worker visa designed for qualified doctors, nurses, and other health professionals who have been trained to a recognised standard and have secured employment with the National Health Service (NHS), social care sector or organisations that provide services to the NHS.

The benefits of the Health and Care Worker visa are that there are reduced visa fees and quicker processing times, as well as an exemption from having to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. The Health and Care worker visa also leads to settlement.

For care workers looking to come to the UK, the route is now closed for those applying from outside of the UK specifically under the Care worker or Senior Care worker job roles.

You can still switch into the Health and Care Worker visa from inside the UK under these roles, provided you have worked for your sponsoring employer for 3 months immediately before they assign your Certificate of Sponsorship.

Applications to switch under the care worker roles can be made until 22 July 2028, although this date remains under review.

What exceptions are there to the 3‑month requirement for care workers?

The 3‑month employment requirement applies only to applicants switching into the Skilled Worker route (including switching to Health and Care Worker visa) under the care worker occupation codes.

It does not apply to other health occupations, such as nurses or doctors.The requirement also does not apply if you already hold a Health and Care Worker visa as a care worker and are changing employers.

To qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK employer such as the NHS, an organisation providing medical services to the NHS or the adult social care sector.
Eligible job. The job must be one of the listed eligible occupations within Appendix Skilled Occupations, which include roles such as nurses and senior care workers.
Salary requirement. Health and Care workers have lower salary thresholds than those applying under the wider Skilled Worker visa. The exact minimum salary depends on the occupation and the applicant’s circumstances.
English language requirement of B2 level.
Maintenance requirement. You must show that you can support yourself financially, however, your Sponsor can choose to certify your maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship.

We’re here to help you

When it comes to obtaining reliable legal advice, Seraphus is your dedicated source of expert guidance.

We specialise in providing personalised support to help you navigate the complexities of the application process, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free experience.

Fill in the contact us form