Health and Care Worker Visa
The UK Health and Care Worker Visa is a key route for health professionals wanting to help in the UK's healthcare system. It shows your commitment to solving workforce shortages in the NHS and social care.
Applying for a UK Health and Care Worker visa can be complex, and having expert legal assistance can make a significant difference. At Moeen & Co. Solicitors, we understand the intricacies of the immigration process and we will guide you step-by-step through the application process, providing clear instructions on the documentation, forms, and timelines involved.
If you require immigration advice or legal assistance with your Health and Care Worker visa application, contact our UK work visa solicitors in London at 0203 959 7755. Alternatively, fill in our online contact form to discuss your case.
Table of Contents
- What is the Health and Care Worker visa?
- Who is eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa?
- What are the Health and Care Worker visa requirements?
- Healthcare Worker visa sponsor eligibility
- Approved UK health and care sector employers
- Check if your job is eligible
- Health and Care Worker visa document checklist
- How to apply for a Health and Care Worker visa?
- Health and Care Worker visa processing time
- How much does the Health and Care Worker visa cost?
- Health and Care Worker visa fees
- UK care worker dependent visa new rules 2025
- Role of an immigration solicitor
- How to contact a UK work visa solicitor?
- FAQs about UK Health and Care Worker visa
What is the Health and Care Worker visa?
The Health and Care Worker Visa lets healthcare workers come to the UK to work in an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care.
The Health and Care Worker visa can last up to 5 years before it must be extended.
Holders of the Health and Care Worker visa may also have a path to settlement (indefinite leave to remain) in the UK after 5 years of continuous and lawful residence, provided they meet all the necessary criteria, including minimum salary requirements and absence limits from the UK.
Who is eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa?
Professionals in healthcare like doctors, nurses, and social workers can apply for a Health and Care Worker visa in the UK.
To get a UK healthcare visa, you need to meet certain criteria such as meeting the required skill level, salary thresholds, and demonstrating English language proficiency.
If you need advice on Health and Care Worker visa eligibility, contact Moeen & Co. Solicitors. Call us at 0203 959 7755 for expert help.
What are the Health and Care Worker visa requirements?
Having a comprehensive understanding of the Health and Care Worker visa UK requirements and eligibility criteria is crucial for a successful application.
To be eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa, there are specific requirements and criteria that applicants must meet. You must:
- be 18 years old or over.
- have a job offer from an approved UK employer.
- have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
- have a job at or above RQF Level 3, which is equivalent to A-levels in the UK.
- enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds.
- prove your knowledge of the English language.
- provide tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applicable).
You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements depending on your circumstances. Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and to discuss the options.
Minimum salary for Health and Care Worker visa
The minimum salary requirement for the UK Health and Care Worker visa generally must meet either the general salary threshold or the "going rate" for the specific job, whichever is higher. The specific salary requirements are:
- General Salary Threshold: The minimum salary for most Health and Care Worker visa applicants is £23,200 gross per year. However, this is the basic threshold and might be higher depending on the job.
- Going Rate: Each occupation code has a specific "going rate", which is determined based on national pay scales for that profession. The job you are offered must pay at least this rate.
The salary must be the applicant's basic gross pay (before taxes) and cannot include allowances, bonuses, or any other additional payments. This is to ensure that the applicant is guaranteed a stable income that meets the minimum threshold.
English language requirement for Health and Care Worker visa
When applying for a UK Health and Care Worker visa, you must prove that you can read, write, speak, and understand English to at least level B1 on the CEFR scale.
It is essential to demonstrate your proficiency in English, as this ensures effective communication and integration within the UK. Failing to do so can result in your application being refused.
You can prove your proficiency in English by passing a recognised English language test such as the IELTS test. You can also prove your knowledge of English if you have a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English.
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English or take a test if you are over 65 or a citizen of a country where English is the main language.
Healthcare Worker visa sponsor eligibility
To be eligible for a healthcare worker visa, the employer's role is key. They must be registered and approved by the UK Home Office. This shows they meet the standards for hiring international health professionals. It's vital for a smooth application process.
Applicants should check their employer's sponsorship status early. This avoids problems later on. Each sponsor must give a Certificate of Sponsorship, which includes job details and visa costs.
The list of approved sponsors can change. It's important to keep up with updates. Employers must follow both legal and operational standards to sponsor healthcare workers.
For more information and eligibility assessment, you can contact Moeen & Co. Solicitors at 0203 959 7755.
Approved UK health and care sector employers
You must have a job offer from:
- the NHS
- an organisation providing medical services to the NHS
- an organisation providing adult social care
Check if your job is eligible
Before determining if your job is eligible, you need to know its 4-digit occupation code. If you already have a job offer, ask your employer for this code.
If you do not know your code, you can search for your job in the CASCOT occupation coding tool.
Check if an occupation code is eligible for this visa
Your job must be in one of the following occupation codes to qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa:
- 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
Health and Care Worker visa document checklist
When applying for a Health and Care Worker visa, it is essential to ensure that you include all the necessary documents to support your application. The Home Office requires specific documentation to assess your eligibility and determine if you meet the requirements for the visa.
Documents you'll need to apply
When you apply you'll need to provide:
- Your valid passport
- Proof of job offer from an approved UK employer
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number
- Your job title, occupation code and annual salary
- The name of your employer and their sponsor licence number
- Evidence of relevant qualifications for the Healthcare Sector
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Financial documents to show you can support yourself
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applicable)
Remember, the document checklist provided above is not exhaustive, and additional documents may be required based on your personal circumstances. Properly preparing your documentation is key to the success of your application. Contact us today to get a comprehensive list of supporting documents.
Contact our team at Moeen & Co. Solicitors today at 0203 959 7755 for expert guidance on the required documents for your Health and Care Worker visa UK application. We are here to ensure that your application is complete, accurate, and meets all the necessary requirements.
How to apply for a Health and Care Worker visa?
To apply for a UK Health and Care Worker visa, the applicant will need to submit an online visa application along with all the supporting documentation and visa fees.
Please refer to the following steps to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa UK:
- Step 1: Initial consultation and assessment of your eligibility.
- Step 2: Get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your UK employer
- Step 3: Gathering the required documentation.
- Step 4: Complete the visa application form online.
- Step 5: Submit your visa application supporting documents, and pay relevant fees.
- Step 6: Book and attend the biometric appointment
- Step 7: Monitoring the progress of your application.
- Step 8: Receiving a decision on your application.
To begin your Health and Care Worker visa application process, contact us at Moeen & Co. Solicitors today at 0203 959 7755. Our dedicated team is ready to provide you with expert legal assistance and ensure that your application is handled with utmost professionalism and care.
Health and Care Worker visa processing time
The standard processing time for a Health and Care Worker visa is typically 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK and 8 weeks if you apply from within the UK. However, you may be eligible to use priority service to get a faster decision.
The processing time for a UK visa application can vary depending on several factors, including the type of visa application, the country from which you are applying, and the volume of applications being processed by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
All the applicants are advised to check the latest information about UK visa application processing time on the official UK government website either applying from inside the UK or outside the UK.
Visa application using super priority service
If you require a decision on your visa application urgently, you may be eligible to use the "Super Priority Service" or the "Priority Service", which offers faster processing times for an additional fee. These services aim to provide a decision on your visa application within 24 hours or 5 working days, respectively.
To get a faster decision on your UK visa application, you'll need to pay £1,000 for the "Super Priority Service" or £500 for the "Priority Service" fee per applicant in addition to the visa application fee.
How much does the Health and Care Worker visa cost?
When applying for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must ensure you have sufficient funds to:
- Pay the application fee.
- Support yourself upon arrival in the UK, typically requiring at least £1,270 available (unless you are exempt).
You will not have to pay the healthcare surcharge.
Health and Care Worker visa fees
The standard application fee varies based on the length of your stay:
- Up to 3 years: £284 per person
- More than 3 years: £551 per person
The fee remains the same whether you apply from within or outside the UK.
UK care worker dependent visa new rules 2025
From March 11, 2024, care workers and senior care workers are no longer allowed to bring dependents (partner or children) with them when relocating to the UK for work.
Dealing with these new rules can be complex. That's why it's wise to talk to immigration experts. For more help, call Moeen & Co. Solicitors at 0203 959 7755. Our team can give you the latest advice on these changes.
Role of an immigration solicitor
Navigating the UK visa application process can be complex and stressful, especially if English is not your first language or if you are unfamiliar with UK immigration laws. Hiring an immigration solicitor provides peace of mind, knowing that you have professional support to guide you through every step of the process.
Here are some ways in which our team of highly experienced UK immigration solicitors can assist:
- Legal Expertise: Our immigration solicitors have in-depth knowledge of UK immigration laws, policies, and procedures. We can assess your eligibility for different types of visas, advise you on the most suitable visa option, and ensure that your application complies with all relevant legal requirements.
- Consultation and Advice: If you are uncertain about the visa type that best suits your needs or require guidance on the application process, we offer consultations to answer your questions.
- Application Preparation: Our immigration solicitors will fill in your UK visa application forms accurately and submit them.
- Supporting Documents: We will advise you on the required documents to be submitted in support of your visa application and ensure that they meet the specific requirements of the visa category you are applying for.
- Legal Representation: We can represent you in communications with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department, embassy, or consulate handling your application. We can correspond with immigration authorities on your behalf, respond to requests for additional information, and address any concerns or queries raised during the processing of your application.
- Appeals and Administrative Reviews: If your visa application is refused, our immigration solicitors can help you explore options for appealing the decision or requesting an administrative review. We can prepare and submit appeal or review applications, gather additional evidence to support your case and represent you at appeal hearings or review proceedings.
If you have any questions or want assistance with your UK visa application, please call our expert immigration solicitors based in London at 0203 959 7755. Alternatively, fill in our online contact form, and one of our UK immigration experts will get back in touch with you soon!
How to contact a UK work visa solicitor?
If you have questions or need help with your Health and Care Worker Visa application, you can contact our team of immigration solicitors in Hayes, London by calling 0203 959 7755. Alternatively, you can fill in our online contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
FAQs about UK Health and Care Worker visa
According to the new immigration rules, from 11 March 2024, care workers or senior care workers are no longer allowed to bring dependents.
It means when applying for the Health and Care visa, you will not be able to include dependents in your visa application.
Eligible jobs are typically in the healthcare and social care sectors, including roles such as doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, social workers, and various allied health professionals.
The salary must be at least £23,200 per year or the 'going rate' for the specific job, whichever is higher.
You can stay in the UK for up to 5 years on a Health and Care Worker visa before you need to extend it. You can also apply to extend your visa as many times as you like as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria.
You must receive a job offer from an employer that has been approved by the UK Home Office as a licensed sponsor. A list of licensed sponsors is available on the UK government's website.
Applicants must prove their knowledge of English by passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at level B1 or higher in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, or by having an eligible degree taught in English, or by being a national of a majority English-speaking country.
Yes, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain after living in the UK for 5 years with a Health and Care Worker visa, provided you meet the minimum salary threshold and other residency requirements.
Hiring an expert immigration solicitor can significantly increase your chances of a successful application. They have expertise in navigating the complexities of UK immigration law, ensuring that your application is complete, accurate, and meets all eligibility requirements.
Moeen & Co. Solicitors is a team of experienced immigration lawyers who can provide expert guidance and assistance throughout the entire Health and Care Worker visa application process. We will ensure that you meet all the requirements, help you gather the necessary documents, and provide full support to maximise your chances of a successful application.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Moeen & Co. Solicitors before making any decisions based on the information provided on this website.