United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland · work sponsored
Health and Care Worker visa
Discounted Skilled Worker route for eligible NHS, adult social care, and allied health roles.
Last reviewed:
Overview
The Health and Care Worker visa is a sub-category of the Skilled Worker route for NHS staff, NHS contractor staff, adult social care workers, and certain health-adjacent roles. It offers reduced application fees, exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge, and faster processing, although dependant rights for care workers were narrowed from March 2024.
Processing time
Priority processing typically 3 weeks from outside the UK; standard processing similar to Skilled Worker.
See source window: 2 weeks – 3 weeks →Government fees
Reduced application fee versus standard Skilled Worker; Immigration Health Surcharge exemption. Check GOV.UK for the current fee schedule.
Typical duration
Up to 5 years on initial grant; leads to settlement after 5 years continuous residence.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
Job offer from an NHS body, NHS contractor, or a CQC-registered adult social care provider holding a sponsor licence.
Occupation on the Health and Care Worker visa eligible occupation list.
Salary meeting the route's threshold for the relevant SOC code.
English language at CEFR Level B1.
Common blockers
Employer not an eligible health or care body under the rules.
Occupation outside the route's eligible list — for example, roles ineligible post-March 2024 changes to care visa rules.
Care worker roles no longer permit dependants to join from March 2024 onwards, with limited transition exceptions.
Typical evidence
Certificate of Sponsorship.
English-language evidence.
Clinical or professional registration evidence where relevant (e.g. NMC registration for nurses).
Criminal record certificate from countries where the applicant has lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years.
Application pathway
Step 1
Secure clinical or care job offer
Apply for roles at NHS employers or CQC-registered care providers with sponsor licences.
Step 2
Pursue professional registration
For nurses: NMC registration including OSCE. For doctors: GMC registration including PLAB or CESR. These run in parallel with visa steps.
Step 3
Receive Certificate of Sponsorship
The licensed sponsor issues a CoS specific to the Health and Care Worker route.
Step 4
Apply online and submit biometrics
Complete the online application, pay the reduced fee, and attend biometrics. IHS exemption applies automatically for eligible roles.
Step 5
Travel and start work
Enter the UK on the issued visa, collect BRP/eVisa, and begin clinical or care work subject to any onboarding checks.
Matches these professions
Also explored by
Compare United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with
Related routes
Frequently asked questions
Can care workers bring dependants on the Health and Care Worker visa?
From 11 March 2024, new care worker and senior care worker applicants cannot bring partners or children as dependants, with limited transition provisions for those already in the route. Other Health and Care Worker occupations continue to allow dependants under standard rules.
Is the Immigration Health Surcharge waived on this visa?
Yes. Health and Care Worker visa holders and their dependants are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge, which represents a significant cost saving over the standard Skilled Worker route.
Does this visa count toward UK settlement?
Yes. Time on the Health and Care Worker visa counts toward the 5-year continuous residence requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain, subject to meeting all qualifying conditions at the time of settlement application.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor →