UK Health and Care Worker Visa

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UK Health and Care Worker Visa: Work in the NHS and Adult Social Care

The UK Health and Care Worker Visa allows qualified medical professionals to work in the UK for up to five years within the NHS, adult social care, or for an approved healthcare provider. After five years, you can apply to extend or update your visa if it’s expired, or if you change employers or jobs.

You can extend this visa as many times as needed, provided you continue to meet eligibility requirements. After five years on this visa, you may also qualify for “indefinite leave to remain,” which grants the right to live, work, and study in the UK indefinitely and may provide access to certain benefits.

Eligibility for the UK Health and Care Worker Visa

To qualify for this visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Occupation: You must be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional, or adult social care worker.
• Employment in an Approved Role: You must have a job offer for an eligible health or social care role in the UK, with an employer approved by the Home Office, such as:
  • NHS institutions
  • Organisations supplying medical services to the NHS
  • Adult social care providers
• Certificate of Sponsorship: Your employer must provide you with a certificate of sponsorship, detailing the job role you’ll be taking in the UK.
• Minimum Salary: You must earn at least £26,200 per year, or £20,960 for certain roles, or meet the “going rate” for your job, whichever is higher.

Note: If you plan to work as a personal carer for a private employer, this visa is not suitable; you may need to consider the Overseas Domestic Worker Visa instead.

Discuss with a Solicitor

Application Process for the Health and Care Worker Visa

The application steps vary depending on whether you’re applying from outside the UK, extending your current visa, or switching from another visa type. You can apply up to three months before your intended start date. If you change jobs or employers, you’ll need to update your visa.

Eligible dependants, including your partner and children, can be included in your application.

Documents Needed for the Health and Care Worker Visa

When applying, you’ll need to provide:

• Your certificate of sponsorship reference number (provided by your employer)
• A valid passport or other identification showing your nationality
• Details of your job title, occupation code, and annual salary
• The name of your employer and their sponsor license number (this will be on your certificate of sponsorship)

Additional documents may be required, including:

• Evidence of personal savings to support yourself, such as bank statements, unless your employer is covering your initial costs.
• Proof of relationship if dependants (partner or children) are included in your application.
• Tuberculosis test results if applicable, based on your country of origin.
• A UK PhD certificate or unique Ecctis reference number if you have a non-UK qualification.
• Criminal record certificates for certain scientific roles, especially if you’ve lived in multiple countries.

Application Fees and Financial Requirements

The application fee depends on the length of your intended stay:

• For visas up to 3 years: £284 per person
• For visas over 3 years: £551 per person

This fee is the same whether applying from inside or outside the UK.

To support yourself, you must have at least £1,270 in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days, with day 28 falling within 31 days before your visa application. This proof is not needed if:

• You’ve held a valid UK visa for at least 12 months, or
• Your employer agrees to cover your first month’s expenses.

Dependants will also need to demonstrate they can support themselves during their stay in the UK.

Need Assistance?

If you’re unsure about the application process or want guidance on whether the Health and Care Worker Visa is the best fit for you, feel free to consult one of our qualified migration advisors.