How Can a Health & Care Worker Visa Help You?
The Health & Care Worker Visa offers a streamlined route for eligible healthcare professionals to live and work in the UK. This visa is designed for qualified doctors, nurses, and social care workers. You will need a job offer from an approved UK employer within a specified healthcare role.
From Spring 2024, dependant family members will no longer be able to accompany Health and Care Visa holders to the UK.
Who Should Apply for a Health & Care Worker Visa?
The Health & Care Worker Visa offers a streamlined immigration route for skilled healthcare professionals to work in the UK’s health and social care sector. It is designed to attract qualified individuals from around the world to address the ongoing staffing shortages in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and related care services.
For UK employers, particularly within the NHS and care sector, the visa provides a crucial recruitment tool to fill key roles. Applicants benefit from fast-tracked entry, reduced visa fees, and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Additionally, the visa offers the support of a dedicated UKVI application processing team, ensuring a smoother application process.
With Axis Solicitors’ expertise in UK immigration law, we can help you through every step, from eligibility assessment to visa submission, all to increase your chances of a positive outcome.
Application Process and Requirements
The application process involves submitting supporting documents, including your passport, CoS details, and proof of financial stability. To apply, candidates must have:
- A valid job offer from a licensed UK employer in a qualifying healthcare role.
- A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the employer.
- Proof of sufficient English language proficiency, through an approved test.
- Evidence of meeting the relevant salary thresholds, which stand at a minimum of £23,200 or £29,000, depending on the role.
The Health and Care Visa benefits from prioritised processing by UKVI, typically resulting in decisions within three weeks. However, processing times can vary, so it’s important to stay updated on the latest information.
Axis Solicitors is here to guide you through the Health and Care Worker Visa application process. We offer expert advice on eligibility, sponsor requirements, and application procedures to ensure a smooth transition to working in the UK’s health sector.
For help with your application, contact us today.
Which Jobs are Eligible to Apply for a Health & Care Visa?
To qualify for a Health and Care Worker Visa, your job must fall within one of the following Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes:
- Managers and Directors:
- 1171 Health services and public health managers and directors
- 1231 Health care practice managers
- 1232 Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
- Scientists and Practitioners:
- 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 nurse235 Registered mental health nurses
- 2236 Registered children’s nurses
- 2237 Other registered nursing professionals
- 2251 Pharmacists
- 2252 Optometrists
- 2254 Medical radiographers
- 2255 Paramedics
- 2256 Podiatrists
- 2259 Other health professionals not elsewhere classified
- 2461 Social workers
- Technicians and Assistants:
- 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
This list is exhaustive. You must have a job offer in one of these occupations to be eligible for a Health and Care Worker Visa.
Sponsor Requirements for Health & Care Worker Visa UK
To qualify for a Health and Care Worker Visa, your job offer must not only be in an eligible role under the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes, but it must also come from an employer who holds a valid sponsor licence. Approved employers include NHS bodies, organisations providing adult social care, and other medical and social care organisations that meet the Home Office’s requirements.
- Your sponsor must be one of the following:
- NHS Trusts or NHS bodies.
- Private healthcare providers delivering services commissioned by the NHS.
- Care providers, including those registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for England, Social Care Wales, the Scottish Social Services Council, or the Northern Ireland Social Care Council.
- Medical or dental service contractors, delivering regulated care and health services in the UK.
Additionally, your employer may be required to be registered with or affiliated to a recognised industry body. These include:
- General Chiropractic Council
- General Dental Council
- General Medical Council
- General Optical Council
- General Osteopathic Council
- General Pharmaceutical Council
- Health and Care Professions Council
- Northern Ireland Social Care Council
- Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland
- Scottish Social Services Council
- Social Care Wales
If your employer is a private organisation providing healthcare services commissioned by the NHS, they may need to provide supporting documentation demonstrating their contractual relationship with the NHS. This serves as proof of their eligibility to sponsor workers under the Health and Care Worker Visa route.
New Rules for Care Providers
From 11 March 2024, new rules came into effect, requiring all care providers in England that wish to sponsor migrant workers to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This requirement does not apply to care workers already on the visa route before this date, who will be able to extend their permission with the same sponsor without the need for CQC registration.
Minimum Salary Requirements for Health & Care Visa
As part of the eligibility criteria for the Health and Care Worker Visa, applicants must meet a specific salary threshold. This means that you need to be paid either the minimum salary requirement or the ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher, as determined by the Home Office. Each eligible occupation has a designated ‘going rate’ based on its Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code.
New Salary Thresholds
From 4 April 2024, the following minimum salary thresholds will apply for Health and Care Worker Visa applications:
- A minimum of £23,200 (an increase from £20,960) or the national pay scale for your role, whichever is higher.
- For roles that do not fall under a national pay scale, the minimum salary requirement is £29,000.
These thresholds are applicable whether you are applying for your first Health and Care Worker Visa or extending an existing visa.
Exceptions to the Minimum Salary Requirement
In some cases, you may still be eligible for a Health and Care Worker Visa even if your salary is below the standard requirement. The Home Office allows for certain roles to be paid between 70% and 90% of the ‘going rate’, provided that you meet specific conditions. These exceptions are outlined below:
- Option G: If you hold a relevant PhD, a reduced minimum salary of £26,100 applies.
- Option H: If you have a STEM PhD (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) relevant to your job, the minimum salary is £23,200.
- Option I: If your role is on the Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List), the minimum salary required is £23,200.
- Option J: If you qualify as a ‘new entrant’ (for example, individuals under 26, recent graduates, or those in professional training), the minimum salary is £23,200.
Summary of Salary Options
| Option | Minimum Salary Threshold | Points Available |
|---|---|---|
| F | £29,000 and the ‘going rate’ for the SOC code | 20 points |
| G | £26,100 and 90% of the ‘going rate’ for the SOC code (PhD) | 20 points |
| H | £23,200 and 80% of the ‘going rate’ for the SOC code (STEM PhD) | 20 points |
| I | £23,200 and the ‘going rate’ for a job on the Immigration Salary List | 20 points |
| J | £23,200 and 70% of the ‘going rate’ for new entrants | 20 points |
| K | £23,200 and the ‘going rate’ for health or education occupations | 20 points |
For those applying for the Health and Care Worker Visa, meeting the salary threshold is an essential part of the eligibility process. The exact amount required will depend on your role, qualifications, and any applicable exceptions.
Dependant Rules for Health and Care Worker Visas
Please note in Spring 2024, a significant change has been implemented to the Health and Care Worker Visa. Dependant family members are no longer permitted to accompany the main visa holder to the UK.
This is a major departure from the previous rules and highlights the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest immigration regulations. If you are considering applying for a Health and Care Visa and have questions about how this change may affect you, we strongly recommend seeking professional legal advice from our solicitors.
Can You Do Supplementary Work with a Health & Care Visa?
Great news for Health and Care Visa holders! Recent changes have increased the flexibility for taking on supplementary employment. The previous 20-hour weekly cap on additional work has been lifted.
This means you can now take on extra hours in a role related to your main sponsored job without needing to inform the Home Office. It offers greater opportunities to expand your experience and income within the UK healthcare sector.
Remember: It’s essential that any supplementary work you undertake is directly related to your sponsored occupation.
Need advice on permissible supplementary work or any other Health and Care Visa matters? Contact Axis Solicitors today.
How to Check Your Eligibility for Health & Care Visa UK?
The Health & Care Worker Visa is a UK immigration route specifically designed for qualified healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and social care workers. To be eligible, you must have:
- A qualifying job offer: You must secure a job offer from a UK employer licensed to sponsor Health and Care Visa applicants. The role must fall within specific Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes, covering a wide range of essential healthcare positions.
- The required qualifications: You must possess the necessary qualifications and experience for your chosen profession, as recognised by the relevant UK regulatory body.
- English language proficiency: You will need to demonstrate your English language skills to the required level.
If you meet these criteria, the Health and Care Visa provides a fast-tracked and cost-effective way to relocate to the UK and contribute your skills to the National Health Service (NHS) and the wider healthcare sector.
Health & Care Worker Visa Requirements
Basic Eligibility
- Applicants must be aged 18 or over at the time of application.
- You must be a qualified healthcare or adult social care professional.
- Your role must support the UK’s health or social care sector.
Eligible Job & Employer
- The job must fall under an approved SOC code for health or care roles.
- You must have a valid job offer from a Home Office–licensed sponsor.
- Care workers and senior care workers must be employed by a CQC-regulated provider.
Certificate of Sponsorship & Salary
- Your employer must issue a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
- The role must meet the required salary threshold and going rate.
- From April 2024, salaries must be at least £23,200 or higher where applicable.
Language, Financial & Employer Obligations
- You must meet the English language requirement at CEFR Level B1.
- You may need to show maintenance funds of at least £1,270.
- Your employer must pay the Immigration Skills Charge.
Health, Character & Additional Requirements
- A criminal record certificate is required for roles involving vulnerable people.
- A TB certificate is needed if you are applying from a listed country.
- Requirements may vary based on your role, salary, and personal circumstances.
Extending Your Health & Care Worker Visa & Settling in the UK
Changing Jobs or Employers
- You must notify the Home Office before changing jobs or employers.
- A new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your new employer is required.
- The new role must remain on the eligible Health and Care occupation list.
Extending Your Health & Care Worker Visa
- The visa can be extended for up to five years at a time.
- You must continue in the same eligible occupation and meet salary thresholds.
- A successful extension keeps you on track for settlement in the UK.
Pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
- You may apply for ILR after five continuous years on this visa.
- ILR allows you to live and work in the UK without time restrictions.
- Settlement provides long-term security for you and your family.
Key ILR Requirements
- Complete five years of continuous residence in the UK.
- Pass the Life in the UK Test and meet English language requirements.
- Maintain continuous sponsored employment throughout the qualifying period.
How Axis Solicitors Can Help
- We assess your eligibility and advise on your best route to settlement.
- We prepare and submit your application with accurate documentation.
- We represent you throughout the process for a smooth, stress-free experience.
