This guide is maintained as a current resource for July 2026 and covers only the laws of England and Wales. Information is for general guidance, not legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
In‑depth guide to Health and Care Worker visa requirements in the UK. Learn about eligible roles, sponsorship criteria, salary thresholds, English language standards, documentation, application process, rights, obligations, and settlement prospects for health and social care professionals.
The Health and Care Worker visa is a dedicated immigration route within the UK's points‑based system designed to enable qualified health and social care professionals to work in the National Health Service (NHS), adult social care, or with providers delivering medical services to the NHS. This visa recognises the critical role of medical and care professionals in the UK workforce and offers specific conditions that differ from general work visas. Understanding the eligibility criteria, application requirements, compliance obligations, and practical considerations is essential for prospective applicants, employers, and solicitors.
What Is the Health and Care Worker Visa?
The Health and Care Worker visa allows non‑UK nationals to come to or stay in the UK to undertake eligible work in health or social care. It is part of the Skilled Worker immigration framework but has tailored eligibility conditions and benefits, such as reduced visa fees and exemption from the immigration health surcharge (IHS). Visa holders can live and work in the UK for up to five years and may be eligible to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) after sufficient lawful residence and meeting other conditions.
Core Eligibility Requirements
1. Eligible Job and Occupation Codes
To qualify, the applicant must have a confirmed job offer in an eligible health or care role. The job must match one of the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes listed in the Health and Care Worker guidance. Eligible roles include, among others:
- Medical practitioners, including doctors and specialists;
- Registered nurses, mental health nurses and children's nurses;
- Allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and radiographers;
- Pharmacists, optometrists, paramedics, lab technicians and social workers.
The full list of eligible occupation codes is available on the government website and informs whether a profession qualifies for this route.
2. Sponsorship by an Approved UK Employer
Applicants must have a job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office as a sponsor in the health or care sector. This includes:
- The NHS;
- Organisations providing medical services to the NHS;
- Employers in adult social care.
The employer must issue a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that includes the occupation code and confirms the job offer. Applicants must apply within 3 months of receiving the CoS.
For roles such as care worker or senior care worker, the employer must also be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) if the work is in England.
3. Salary Requirement
Health and Care Worker visa applicants must meet specific minimum salary thresholds:
- Usually at least £25,000 per year or the going rate for the role, whichever is higher.
- For certain occupation codes – including managers, technicians and care workers – different minimum salary requirements or going rates apply, often starting at approximately £31,300 per year or above, depending on the job's lower going rate.
Under transitional arrangements and specific criteria, applicants may be eligible with lower salaries if they meet conditions such as being under 26, recently graduated, studying or in professional training, holding a relevant PhD or in designated scientific roles.
4. English Language Requirement
Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of English by meeting the required level, usually by passing an approved English test or holding recognised qualifications. Evidence of English proficiency must be provided as part of the visa application.
5. Documentation and Supporting Evidence
The application must include:
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number;
- Evidence of identity and nationality (valid passport or travel document);
- Job title, annual salary and occupation code;
- Proof of English language ability.
Depending on personal circumstances, additional documents may be required, such as: - Personal savings evidence if sponsorship does not cover maintenance;
- Tuberculosis test results, if required based on residency history;
- Criminal record certificates for certain roles;
- Certified translations of non‑English or non‑Welsh documents.
Applicants aged 28 or over generally must provide certificates from countries they have lived in over the last 10 years; those under 28 may need records for countries lived in for 12 months or more since age 18.
Application Process
Where and How to Apply
Applications are submitted online through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) portal. Depending on the applicant's location:
- Outside the UK: Applicants apply from their country of residence before travel; biometric information is provided at a visa application centre or through the UK Immigration: ID Check app.
- Inside the UK: Eligible applicants may switch to or extend their visa within the UK if they meet requirements.
Applicants typically receive a decision within three weeks, though delays can occur if additional checks or document verifications are necessary. Premium services may expedite the process.
Leave Duration, Rights and Further Conditions
Duration of Stay
A Health and Care Worker visa is usually granted for up to five years. Visa holders must apply to extend or update their leave before it expires if they wish to continue working or remain in the UK. After five years of continuous lawful residence, many holders may qualify to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement), subject to meeting the relevant requirements of the Skilled Worker route.
Work, Study and Dependants
Visa holders can:
- Work in the eligible sponsored job;
- Undertake study alongside work;
- Bring eligible dependants (partner and children) if they meet specific financial and relationship criteria.
Healthcare Access and Public Funds
Applicants and their dependants are exempt from the immigration health surcharge, meaning they can access NHS services from the start of their visa without paying the surcharge. However, they remain ineligible for most public funds (benefits) unless entitled by a different immigration status.
Compliance and Immigration Obligations
Visa holders must comply with all conditions of their leave, including working only in roles covered by their certificate of sponsorship and notifying UKVI of changes such as address updates or changes in employment circumstances. Non‑compliance may result in curtailment of leave, visa refusal in future applications, and potential removal from the UK.
Employers must also fulfil sponsorship duties, including record‑keeping, reporting changes and ensuring contract terms align with immigration requirements. Enforcement action by the Home Office can include sanctions against sponsors that breach their responsibilities.
Common Questions
Can health and care visa holders bring family members?
Yes. Partners and children may apply as dependants, subject to proving relationship and adequate financial support. Specific requirements apply for dependants' maintenance funds and documentation.
Can this visa lead to settlement?
Yes. After five years of continuous lawful residence, holders of this visa may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, following settlement requirements under the Skilled Worker route. Continuous lawful residence and compliance with visa conditions are critical.
Do care workers below certain skill levels remain eligible?
Recent changes to immigration criteria mean that some medium‑skilled care roles may no longer be newly sponsored under standard terms. However, transitional arrangements and specific legacy conditions may apply for current visa holders. Employers and applicants should check current Home Office policy before applying.
Key Takeaways
The Health and Care Worker visa provides a tailored immigration route for qualified health and social care professionals offering care and medical services in the UK. Key requirements include a valid job offer from an approved sponsor, eligible occupation and SOC code, meeting minimum salary thresholds, demonstrating English language ability and providing accurate supporting documentation. The visa allows work and study in the UK, exemption from the health surcharge, and a pathway to settlement after five years, subject to compliance with immigration conditions. Applicants and employers must understand and adhere to all eligibility criteria and obligations to ensure successful applications and lawful residence.
