Health Care Visa

The Health and Care Worker Visa is a specific type of Skilled Worker Visa designed for medical professionals to work in the UK in eligible health and care roles with an approved UK employer.

You are eligible if:

• You have a job offer from the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care.
• Your job is on the list of eligible health and care occupations.
• You meet the required skill level for the job.
• You speak English at the required level.
• You meet the salary requirements for your role.

Eligible occupations include doctors, nurses, health professionals, and adult social care professionals. Specific job codes are listed on the official UK government website.

Generally, you’ll usually need to be paid at least £29,000 per year, or the lower ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher. The exact salary requirement may vary based on the specific job and experience level.

You can apply online by completing the application form, paying the application fee, providing your biometric information, and submitting supporting documents like your Certificate of Sponsorship, proof of English proficiency, and evidence of your salary.

A CoS is a reference number that your employer gives you to apply for your visa. It is a digital record that includes details about your job and your sponsor.

You must demonstrate English language proficiency at least at the B1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This can be proven through an English language test, a degree taught in English, or being a national of a majority English-speaking country.

The visa can be granted for up to 5 years. You can apply to extend it if you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

Yes, you can bring your partner and children (under 18) as dependents. They must apply separately, and you will need to show proof of funds to support them.

Yes, you can switch to the Health and Care Worker Visa from another visa category while you are in the UK, provided you meet all the eligibility requirements, and your current visa allows you to switch.

Yes, you can apply for ILR after 5 years of continuous residence in the UK on a Health and Care Worker Visa, provided you meet the eligibility criteria, including salary requirements and English language proficiency.

The standard application fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:

up to 3 years – £284 per person

more than 3 years – £551 per person

The fee is the same whether you apply from inside or outside the UK.

Yes, you can change employers, but you must apply to update your visa with a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your new employer. You must meet the eligibility requirements with the new job offer.

You may be able to appeal the decision, request an administrative review, or reapply if you believe there was an error in the decision or if you have new information to support your application.

The standard processing time is around 3 weeks if you are outside the UK and 8 weeks (about 2 months) if you are inside the UK. Priority services are available for faster processing.