UK Health and Care Worker Visa

UK Health and Care Worker Visa

The Health and Care Worker Visa offers a specific option for qualified doctors, nurses, health professionals, and adult social care workers to work in the UK's respected healthcare sector. It is a version of the Skilled Worker route that aims to bring in vital medical talent to support the NHS and other registered care organizations.

This visa path comes with great benefits, but the rules are strict, complicated, and have undergone significant changes in 2024 and 2025. This is particularly true for those in the adult social care field. In this guide, I will provide the detailed, current information you need.

Our team at Bekenbey Solicitors is prepared to offer expert legal help for your application.

What Are the Key Benefits of the Health and Care Worker Visa?

The UK government created incentives for this route to attract a skilled healthcare workforce. When you compare it to the standard Skilled Worker visa, the advantages are significant and can save you thousands of pounds.

1. Reduced Visa Application Fees

The Home Office application fees are substantially lower for both the main applicant and their dependant family members.

• Visa lasting up to 3 years: £304 per person
• Visa lasting more than 3 years: £590 per person

These reduced fees apply to you, your partner, and your children, making a family application far more affordable.

2. Full Exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

3. Fast-Track Processing and Dedicated Support

Applications for the Health and Care Worker Visa are prioritized. After you submit your application and provide your biometric information, you usually receive a decision within 3 weeks.

For sponsoring employers, the Home Office offers a dedicated support team to assist with questions about this route. They help resolve issues related to the application process or Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) assignment.

4. A Clear Pathway to UK Settlement

This visa provides a direct route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also called 'settlement'. After five years of living continuously in the UK on this visa, you and your dependants can apply for permanent settlement, assuming you meet the other eligibility requirements.

Part 1: Core Eligibility Requirements (The 5-Point Checklist)

To apply successfully for the Health and Care Worker Visa, you must meet five core requirements:

1. Have a Job Offer: You need a real job offer from an approved UK employer.
2. Have an Approved Sponsor: Your employer must be a UK health and care sector provider with a valid sponsor license from the Home Office.
3. Have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Your sponsor must provide you with a valid CoS reference number, which includes details about your job, salary, and personal information.
4. Have an Eligible Job: Your position must fall under one of the specific, approved Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes for this visa.
5. Meet the Salary Requirement: Your salary must reach the minimum level for your job, which is often lower than the standard Skilled Worker route.

You will also need to prove your knowledge of English and, for most roles, demonstrate that you hold the necessary UK professional registration.

Part 2: Who Can Sponsor You? (Eligible Employers)

Your job offer must be from an employer that is on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. For the Health and Care Visa, this includes:

• The NHS, including NHS Foundation Trusts.
• An organisation that provides medical services to the NHS (e.g., a private company with a contract to provide services).
• An organisation providing adult social care.
• A wide range of other public health bodies, such as Health Education England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Local Authorities, and specific Health Boards in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Critical Requirement for Adult Social Care Sponsors

A crucial measure is in place to prevent exploitation in the adult social care sector.

If you are being sponsored for a role as a Care Worker (SOC code 6135) or Senior Care Worker (SOC code 6136) in England, your sponsoring employer must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Applications from employers in England for these roles without CQC registration will be refused. This rule is specific to England; different regulatory bodies apply in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Part 3: Eligible Occupations, SOC Codes, and Professional Registration

Your eligibility is not based on your job title, but on its 4-digit Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The list of eligible codes is highly specific and, importantly, different rules apply for new applicants versus those already in the UK on this visa.

The "Two-List" System: New vs. Transitional Roles

The Home Office now operates a "two-list" system. One list is for new applications, and a separate, more permissive list exists for existing visa holders who are extending their stay or changing employers (known as "transitional arrangements").

This distinction is vital. For example, a Dental Nurse (SOC 6133) cannot make a new application on this route. But, if they received their CoS before 22 July 2025, they can extend their visa. This is a complex area where getting legal advice is essential.

Table 1: Eligible SOC Codes for New Applications (2025)

If you are applying for the Health and Care Worker Visa for the first time, your job must be on the following list.

Table 2: Transitional Rules (Extensions & Switches)

If you are already in the UK on this visa and are extending, updating, or switching your visa, additional occupation codes may be eligible for you.

Mandatory Professional Registration

A Certificate of Sponsorship is not enough. For most clinical roles, you must be registered with the relevant UK professional regulatory body. Your application will be refused without this.

Key regulatory bodies include:

• General Medical Council (GMC): For doctors.
• Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC): For nurses and midwives.
• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC): Regulates 15 professions, including Paramedics, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Radiographers, and Biomedical Scientists.
• General Dental Council (GDC): For dentists. Overseas-qualified dentists must typically pass the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) or equivalent.
• General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC): For pharmacists. Most non-UK-qualified pharmacists must complete the Overseas Pharmacists' Assessment Programme (OSPAP).
• Social Work England (SWE): For social workers in England.
• Other bodies: Including the General Optical Council (GOC), General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), and General Chiropractic Council (GCC).

Part 4: Salary Requirements Explained (The 2025 Rules)

This is a major source of confusion for applicants. Many have heard about the new £38,700 or £41,700 minimum salary for the standard Skilled Worker visa.

The most important point is this: The Health and Care Worker Visa is exempt from these high salary thresholds. It operates on its own, lower set of "going rates".

The rules are divided based on your type of job.

Rule 1: Jobs on National Pay Scales (e.g., NHS)

If your role is on a national pay scale, like the NHS 'Agenda for Change' (which applies to most nurses, paramedics, and allied health professionals), the minimum salary threshold for the visa is £25,000.

You must, of course, be paid at the correct rate for your job according to the pay scale (e.g., the correct NHS Band), but the immigration floor is £25,000.

Rule 2: Jobs Not on National Pay Scales (e.g., Private Care)

If your job is in the private sector (like a private care home) and not on a national pay scale, the rule is different. Your salary must be at least £31,300 per year, or the specific "lower going rate" for that SOC code, whichever is higher.

For example:

• The lower going rate for 'Residential, day and domiciliary care managers' (SOC 1232) is £32,000.
• Since £32,000 is higher than £31,300, you must be paid at least £32,000 to qualify.

Rule 3: Jobs on the Immigration Salary List (ISL)

If your job is on the ISL (a list of roles with shortages), the minimum salary is £25,000 or your job's full going rate, whichever is higher.

Table 3: Sample Salary Requirements (2025)

Part 5: The Critical Rules for Care Workers and Senior Care Workers (SOC 6135 & 6136)

CRITICAL UPDATE: This section contains vital information on rule changes that have fundamentally changed the visa route for the adult social care sector.

The Home Office has implemented strict rules for Care Workers (SOC 6135) and Senior Care Workers (SOC 6136). These changes aim to decrease net migration and have cut off the path for many.

1. The Dependant Ban (Effective on 11 March 2024)

2. Applying from Outside the UK (The Route is Closing)

3. Switching from Inside the UK (The Only Remaining Path)

After 22 July 2025, the only way to get a visa as a care worker is to switch from another visa (like a Student or Graduate visa) from inside the UK.

However, new rules apply to this process:

• New 3-Month Requirement: You must have been working legally for your new sponsoring employer in that job for at least 3 months before you are eligible to apply to switch.
• The Final Deadline: This switching pathway is also temporary. From 22 July 2028, this route will also close. After this date, no new applications for care worker roles will be accepted at all.

Part 6: Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Our team at Bekenbey Solicitors can manage this entire process for you. Here is a simple overview of the journey.

1. Secure Your Job Offer: Find a job with a Home Office-approved sponsor (see Part 2).
2. Receive Your CoS: Your employer will assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of the date the CoS is assigned.
3. Prepare Your Documents: Gather all the necessary paperwork as detailed in Part 7.
4. Complete the Online Application: You must apply online at the GOV.UK website.
   • Crucial Step: You will use the standard Skilled Worker application form. During the application, you must tick 'yes' when asked "if you're applying for a Health and Care Worker visa". Ticking this box is what triggers the reduced fee and, most importantly, the IHS exemption.
5. Pay the Reduced Fee: You will pay the reduced fee of £304 or £590.
6. Prove Your Identity: You will be instructed on how to do this:
   • Method 1 (App): Most applicants can use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app to scan their biometric passport. This means you do not need to attend an appointment.
   • Method 2 (Appointment): If you cannot use the app, you must attend a biometric appointment at a visa application centre (VAC).
7. Receive Your Decision: You will usually get a decision within 3 weeks of proving your identity.

Part 7: Required Documents for Your Application

Having your documentation in perfect order is essential for a successful application. You will need to provide:

Core Documents Checklist

• Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number.
• A valid passport or other travel document to prove your identity.
• Proof of your knowledge of English (e.g., a test certificate or degree).
• Your job title, annual salary, and its SOC code.
• Your employer's name and sponsor licence number (this is on the CoS).
• Proof of your professional registration, if required (see Part 3).

Maintenance Funds (Money to Support Yourself)

You must show that you can support yourself when you arrive in the UK.

• The Requirement: You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account.
• The 28-Day Rule: This money must have been in your account for 28 consecutive days before you apply.

The Exemption: You are exempt from this requirement and do not need to provide bank statements if either:

1. Your sponsor has certified your maintenance on the CoS (by ticking the "sponsor certifies maintenance" box), OR
2. You have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.

Tuberculosis (TB) Test Certificate

You need a TB test certificate if you are applying from a country on the Home Office's specified list.

Criminal Record Certificate

For most roles, you must provide a criminal record certificate if you are applying from outside the UK. You will need a certificate from any country where you have lived for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years, if you are 28 or older.

Key Exception: You do not need to provide a criminal record certificate if your job is in one of the following lab-based SOC codes:

• 2113: Biochemists and biomedical scientists
• 2114: Physical scientists
• 3111: Laboratory technicians

Part 8: Bringing Your Family (Partners and Children)

Your ability to bring your family (dependents) to the UK now depends entirely on your job.

The Critical Divide: Who Can Bring Dependents?

WARNING: As I mentioned in Part 5, the rules are now split:

• Care Workers / Senior Care Workers (SOC 6135/6136): If your CoS was issued on or after 11 March 2024, you CANNOT bring any dependents.
• All Other Roles (Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Managers, etc.): You CAN bring your partner and children as your dependents.

For Eligible Applicants: Dependant Requirements

If your job code permits it, you can be joined by your:

• Spouse or civil partner.
• Unmarried partner (you must prove you have been in a relationship and living together for at least 2 years).
• Children under 18.

Key Benefits for Dependents:

• They are also exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
• They pay the same reduced visa application fees (£304 or £590) as the main applicant.
• Your dependant partner can work in the UK, generally without restriction.

Financial Requirements for Dependents:

Your family must also prove they have maintenance funds, unless you are all exempt (e.g., by your sponsor certifying them, or having been in the UK for 12 months). The amounts required are:

• £285 for your partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

Part 9: Extending Your Visa and Settling in the UK (ILR)

This visa isn't just a temporary solution; it's a clear path to building a long-term future in the UK.

Extensions and Changing Jobs

Your visa can be granted for up to 5 years at a time. You can extend it as many times as you need, as long as you keep meeting the eligibility criteria. To extend, you will need a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer.

If you want to change jobs to a new employer, you must apply to update your visa. You cannot start your new job until your application is approved. You will need a new CoS from your new sponsoring employer.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) / Settlement

After you have lived in the UK for 5 continuous years on a Health and Care Worker Visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settlement.

The core requirements for ILR are:

1. Time: 5 years of continuous lawful residence.
2. Life in the UK Test: You must pass the "Life in the UK Test".
3. English Language: You will have already met this requirement in your initial visa application.
4. Sponsor Confirmation: Your employer must confirm to the Home Office that you are still required for your job and meet the salary requirements.

The standard ILR application fee is currently £3,029 per person. It's a significant fee, but it grants you permanent status, freeing you from immigration control and future visa applications.

How Bekenbey Solicitors Can Help You

As this guide shows, the rules for the Health and Care Worker Visa are complex, specific, and constantly changing. The new restrictions on care workers and their dependents have made the path difficult for many people. Simple mistakes in any application can result in an expensive refusal.

At Bekenbey Solicitors, our SRA-regulated immigration specialists, led by Dr. Ergul Celiksoy, provide expert, end-to-end legal guidance for:

• Individuals: We handle your entire application. We review your documents carefully to make sure your application is correct, complete, and submitted quickly for a successful result. We offer expert advice on complex salary calculations, transitional rules for current visa holders, and your long-term path to settlement (ILR).
• Sponsoring Organisations: We help healthcare employers, care homes, and private providers with sponsor licence applications, renewals, and Home Office compliance. We can guide you through your sponsorship responsibilities, assist with the CoS assignment process, and ensure your CQC registration (or equivalent) meets strict Home Office standards.

The rules are strict, and a refusal can be devastating. Do not risk your future or your business.

Contact our team at Bekenbey Solicitors today for a confidential consultation to secure your pathway in the UK healthcare sector.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently. Please contact Bekenbey Solicitors for advice specific to your circumstances.