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The Health and Care Visa is for healthcare professionals and workers from around the world to come to work in the UK’s health and social care sector. For UK healthcare employers facing staffing shortages, the Health and Care Visa offers a recruitment solution. Applicants benefit from fast-tracked entry to the UK, reduced visa fees, and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. Support is also available from a dedicated UKVI application processing team.
Key benefits:
The visa is open to overseas workers applying under the Skilled Worker Visa route who will take up eligible roles in healthcare or social care. Eligible roles include:
Applicants must have a job offer in an eligible occupation and a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK-licensed sponsor. Sponsors include NHS bodies, medical service providers, and adult social care organizations.
To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Salary thresholds (as of April 2024):
Visa costs:
Processing time: Most applications are processed within three weeks. Applicants benefit from fast-tracked processing and support from a dedicated NHS team.
Dependants may join or accompany visa holders, provided the primary applicant’s role is eligible. Dependants include:
From March 2024, certain care workers (SOC codes 6135 and 6136) are restricted from bringing dependants.
Visa holders can:
Changes in employment or employers must be reported to the Home Office.
Visa holders can extend their visa provided they:
After five years, applicants can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
To apply for ILR, visa holders must:
At Worldwide Immigration Ltd., led by Vikas Dhankhar, we provide specialized support to healthcare professionals navigating the Health and Care Visa process. From eligibility checks to application management, our team ensures a seamless experience.
Contact us for personalized assistance.
What is the Health and Care Visa?
The Health and Care Visa is a specific category within the UK’s points-based immigration system designed to attract healthcare professionals from around the world to work in eligible health and social care roles in the UK.
Who is eligible for the Health and Care Visa?
The visa is open to workers in certain healthcare and adult social care roles with an eligible job offer for an authorized sponsor.
Does the NHS offer visa sponsorship?
NHS organizations can sponsor workers provided they have a valid sponsorship licence and that the visa conditions are met by the worker and the role.
What is the minimum salary for the Health and Care Visa UK?
From 4 April 2024, most health and care workers have to earn at least £23,200 or the national pay scale for the role, whichever is higher. Workers applying for a role that is not on a national pay scale will have to meet a general annual salary threshold of £29,000. Lower thresholds may be available for certain applicants.
Can a dependent apply for a Health and Care Visa in the UK?
Health and Care workers applying after 11 March 2024 are not permitted to be joined in the UK by family members as visa dependants. The family members would need to secure alternative permission to come to the UK, such as applying for their own work visa.
Do health workers pay the healthcare surcharge?
Health and care workers are exempt from the UK Immigration Health Surcharge.
Are care workers eligible for the Health and Care Visa?
Only workers employed in eligible roles are eligible for the Health and Care Visa. Carers are included on the Immigration Salary List – previously known as the Shortage Occupation List – but this status remains subject to government review and change.
Author: Vikas Dhankhar Worldwide Immigration Ltd.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Seek expert advice for specific situations.
