Health and Care Worker Visa

You can apply for a Health and Care Worker visa to work in the UK in qualifying healthcare or social care jobs with the NHS or approved suppliers.

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?

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.

Key requirements for a Health and Care Worker visa

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 6, 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).

Minimum salary for a Health and Care Worker visa

As of March 2026, the minimum salary for a Health and Care Worker visa is generally £31,300 per year or the "going rate" for your specific job, whichever is higher. Each occupation code has a specific lower going rate, so check the going rates table for your role.

For example: If your salary is £32,000 per year but the lower going rate for your job is £33,000, you do not meet the usual salary requirement for this visa.

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.

When You Can Earn Below the Standard Salary

Even if your salary is below £31,300 or your job's lower going rate, you may still qualify for a Health and Care Worker visa if your role is eligible. You can earn between 70% and 90% of the lower going rate, as long as your salary is at least £25,000 per year and you meet certain criteria.

1. Young workers, students, recent graduates, or those in professional training

You can receive 70% of the lower going rate if:

• You're under 26 when applying
• You're currently studying in the UK at bachelor's level or above, or studied in the last 2 years
• You're working towards a recognised UK professional qualification or full registration/chartered status

Note: Your total stay under this reduced rate cannot exceed 4 years, including any time spent on a previous Tier 2 (General) visa.

2. PhD-level qualifications

You may get 80–90% of the lower going rate, depending on your subject:

• STEM PhDs: 80% of the lower going rate, minimum £25,000 per year
• Non-STEM PhDs: 90% of the lower going rate, minimum £28,200 per year

You must have a UK PhD or equivalent (assessed by Ecctis if from outside the UK) and prove your qualification is relevant to your role.

3. Postdoctoral scientific roles

You can earn 70% of the lower going rate if you're in a postdoctoral position in:

• Biochemistry or biomedical sciences (code 2113)
• Physical sciences (code 2114)

Again, your salary must be at least £25,000 per year, and total stay at this rate cannot exceed 4 years.

4. Jobs on the immigration salary list

If your job is on the immigration salary list, you cannot get a discounted rate. You must be paid at least £25,000 or the full going rate for your role.

English language requirement for Health and Care Worker visa

When applying for a UK Health and Care Worker visa, you need to demonstrate English skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening at CEFR level B2 or above.

You can prove your English knowledge in three ways:

1. Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR level B2 or above.
2. A degree taught in English and awarded by a UK institution.
3. A non-UK degree taught in English, confirmed by Ecctis as equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree or higher.

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

You can apply for a Health and Care Worker visa if your job is in one of the following occupation codes:

• 1171: health services and public health managers and directors
• 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
• 3212: pharmaceutical technicians
• 6131: nursing auxiliaries and assistants

Health and Care Worker visa document checklist

When applying for a Health and Care Worker visa, you'll need your certificate of sponsorship reference, proof of English ability, a valid passport or ID, your job title, salary, and occupation code, and your employer's name and sponsor licence number. Ask your employer for a copy of your certificate if you don't have one.

Health and Care Worker visa document checklist:

• 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)

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.

How much does the Health and Care Worker visa cost?

When applying for a Health and Care Worker visa, you need enough money to pay the application fee and support yourself in the UK.

The application fee is £304 per person for visas up to 3 years, or £590 for more than 3 years. This applies whether you apply from inside or outside the UK.

To support yourself, you usually need at least £1,270 in your bank for 28 consecutive days before applying. Proof is required unless you've been in the UK for 12 months on a valid visa or your employer covers your first month.

If your employer will cover your costs, this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship under the "sponsor certifies maintenance" section.

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

From 11 March 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.

How our immigration solicitors can help

Need assistance with your Health and Care Worker visa?

For legal advice or help with your Health and Care Worker visa application, call our specialist immigration solicitors in London at 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 the UK Health and Care Worker visa