The Health and Care Worker visa is a UK work visa that allows qualified doctors, nurses, health professionals, and adult social care workers to come to or remain in the UK to work in eligible roles. This visa is part of the Skilled Worker route, but it comes with unique benefits, including fast-track processing, lower fees, and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
It is designed to support the NHS, adult social care providers, and organisations providing medical services in the UK, while offering healthcare professionals a route to long-term settlement.
Who Can Apply
You may apply if you:
- Are a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional, or adult social care professional.
- Have a job offer from a UK health or care sector employer approved by the Home Office. Employers include the NHS, or organisations supplying medical services to the NHS, or adult social care providers.
- Your employer (the sponsor) is approved. If you’ll be a care worker or senior care worker (SOC 6135/6136) in England, your employer must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Eligible Roles
You can apply for a Health and Care Worker visa if you have a confirmed job offer in one of the eligible roles, such as:
- Medical practitioners (doctors)
- Nurses
- Midwives
- Paramedics
- Social workers
- Care workers and home carers (restrictions apply)
- Senior care workers (restrictions apply)
- Specified allied health professionals (e.g., radiographers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists)
- Laboratory technicians and other eligible support roles
Employers must be approved UK sponsors. For care roles, the employer must also be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Eligibility & Job Requirements
Your job must satisfy:
- It is in an eligible occupation code. Your employer should provide the SOC code. If you don’t have it yet, they can help.
- You’ll receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the employer. Must apply within 3 months of CoS issue.
- You must meet the minimum salary or the going rate for the role — whichever is higher. There are special rules (discounts) in certain cases.
Salary & Discounted Rates
Here are important salary & rate rules:
- For many roles, the usual minimum is £25,000 per year, or the full going rate for the job, if that is higher.
- If your role is in certain specified occupation codes (e.g. senior care worker, biomedical scientist, lab technician, etc.), special salary & “lower going rate” rules apply.
- You might be eligible for a discount (paying less than the full going rate) if one of these applies:
- You are under 26, a recent graduate, or in professional training; or
- You hold a STEM PhD relevant to your job (or a relevant doctorate); or
- You have a postdoctoral scientific position.
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Recent Restrictions & Changes
- Care Worker & Senior Care Worker (SOC 6135 / 6136): New CoS applications for these roles are closed from 22 July 2025. Existing visa holders or certain in-UK workers employed by same sponsor with 3 months on payroll may still switch/extend until 22 July 2028.
- Dependants Restrictions: Care worker roles (SOC 6135/6136), new visa applications no longer allow dependants. Existing cases/extensions under older rules may still permit them.
- Recruitment First Requirement: Employers must first recruit from the domestic workforce in England before sponsoring overseas care workers. This is a test to reduce reliance on overseas recruitment.
Application Process
- Secure a job offer from an eligible employer who holds a valid sponsor licence.
- Get your employer to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
- Prepare & provide necessary documentation: proof of qualification, job title & description, English language, etc.
- Apply online for the visa, submit biometrics.
- Await decision (processing times vary, but generally faster for this route).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who qualifies for the Health & Care Worker route?
To qualify for the UK Health and Care Worker visa, you must be a qualified doctor, nurse, allied health professional, or adult social care worker with a job offer from an approved UK employer like the NHS. Your role needs to be on the eligible occupations list, meeting skill level and salary requirements, and you must fulfil the English language requirement and obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship.
How can ICONIQ Solicitors help with a Health & Care Worker visa application?
ICONIQ Solicitors can assist with your Health and Care Worker visa application by providing legal support to ensure you meet Home Office requirements. They confirm that your job aligns with an approved occupation code, that your employer is a licensed sponsor, and that your salary meets the minimum threshold. Their expertise helps you avoid common pitfalls and submit a compliant application for a higher chance of approval.
What salary and employer requirements apply?
To qualify for the UK Health and Care Worker visa, your job must be with an approved employer like the NHS or a licensed care provider. The role must have an eligible SOC code and meet the required salary threshold. Employers need to issue a valid Certificate of Sponsorship and confirm that the role is genuine and compliant with Home Office regulations.
Can I bring dependants?
As of 11 March 2024, new applicants for the Health and Care Worker visa as care workers or senior care workers cannot bring dependants. However, if you were already in the UK on a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa before this date, you may still be eligible to bring or extend visas for your dependants.
Does this route lead to ILR?
The Health and Care Worker visa can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years in the UK. You must stay in an eligible job, meet the salary threshold, pass the Life in the UK Test.
What happens if my employer loses their sponsor licence?
If your UK employer loses their sponsor licence while you're on a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa, it can have serious consequences. The Home Office will cancel your Certificate of Sponsorship and give you a curtailment notice, typically allowing 60 days (or the remaining time on your visa, if less) to take action.