Who the Health and Care Worker visa is for
The Health and Care Worker visa is for qualified doctors, nurses, health professionals and adult social care professionals with a job offer from an approved UK employer: the NHS, an NHS supplier, or an adult social care provider. The employer must be a licensed sponsor and must give you a certificate of sponsorship.
Which jobs qualify
The job must have one of the occupation codes the rules list. They cover doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, pharmacists, radiographers, therapists, social workers and other health professionals, and a small number of other health and social care roles.
The care worker closure
On 22 July 2025 the route closed to overseas recruitment of care workers and senior care workers. Employers can no longer sponsor those roles for people outside the UK, and that has not changed in 2026. Transitional arrangements let care providers continue to sponsor workers who are already in the UK, such as those extending or changing employer, until 22 July 2028. The route remains open for higher-skilled health occupations.
Salary
You will usually need to be paid at least £25,000, or the going rate for the job if that is higher. Some roles follow national pay scales, and different rules apply to ten specific occupation codes. The salary rules are reviewed each year, so check the current rate before you apply.
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa for up to 3 years, inside or outside the UK | £324 |
| Visa for more than 3 years, inside or outside the UK | £628 |
| Immigration health surcharge | Exempt, for you and your dependants |
That is much lower than the standard Skilled Worker visa fee, and the surcharge exemption saves £1,035 a year for each person.
English language
You must prove that you can speak, read, write and understand English. Most new applicants since 8 January 2026 need level B2, and registered doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives and vets who have passed an assessment accepted by their regulator are exempt. Check the rule for your role. See English language requirements.
How long it lasts, and settlement
The visa can last up to five years before it needs to be extended, and can be extended while you still meet the requirements. After five years you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain. The government has proposed lengthening the qualifying period, with care workers and others below graduate level affected most. Until new rules take effect, the five-year route applies.
Family
A partner and children can apply as dependants. Care workers recruited under the earlier rules may be affected by restrictions on dependants, so check which applies to you. See dependant visas.
Decisions and changing employer
You can apply up to three months before your start date, and decisions usually take about three weeks. To change employer you must apply to update your visa and cannot start the new job until it is granted.
How we help
We check the occupation code and salary, prepare your application, and advise employers on sponsoring health and care workers. A consultation is from £99.
