United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland · work sponsored · Leads to settlement
Health and Care Worker visa
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Discounted Skilled Worker route for eligible NHS, adult social care, and allied health roles.
- Processing time
- Priority processing typically 3 weeks from outside the UK; standard processing similar to Skilled Worker.
- 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.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
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.
Recent changes to this route
- UK: Skilled Worker English raised to B2, CoS fee £525, Immigration Skills Charge up 32%8 April 2026
A run of Skilled Worker changes from late 2025 into early 2026 raised the language bar, sponsor costs, and tightened salary assessment.
- UK: Skilled Worker threshold to £41,700, skill level to RQF 6, overseas care-worker route closed22 July 2025
The 22 July 2025 Statement of Changes (HC 997) raised the Skilled Worker bar materially and closed overseas care-worker recruitment.
- UK raises Skilled Worker salary thresholds4 April 2024
The Home Office raised the Skilled Worker general salary threshold from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700, with parallel increases to going rates and shortage-route adjustments.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
Filipino applicants
Filipino nurses are the largest single nationality on this route. The NMC CBT and OSCE are processed in Manila and Cebu;…
Indian applicants
Indian applicants must take English tests and (for nurses) complete NMC Test of Competence. The UK–India MMP provides a …
Zimbabwean applicants
Zimbabwean applicants remain a major cohort in the care-worker sub-stream. Historic issues with sponsor-licence revocati…
Nigerian applicants
Nigerian Health and Care Worker applicants are concentrated in NHS-employed nursing roles and CQC-registered care-home r…
Bangladeshi applicants
Bangladeshi nurses and care workers form a smaller but established cohort, primarily routed through NHS Trust direct rec…
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
Secure clinical or care job offer
Apply for roles at NHS employers or CQC-registered care providers with sponsor licences.
Pursue professional registration
For nurses: NMC registration including OSCE. For doctors: GMC registration including PLAB or CESR. These run in parallel with visa steps.
Receive Certificate of Sponsorship
The licensed sponsor issues a CoS specific to the Health and Care Worker route.
Apply online and submit biometrics
Complete the online application, pay the reduced fee, and attend biometrics. IHS exemption applies automatically for eligible roles.
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.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- ApplyApplicantApply for the Health and Care Worker visa ↗
Use this GOV.UK form to apply after the eligible health or care sponsor issues the Certificate of Sponsorship.
UK Home Office · verified
- Official guidanceEmployerSponsor health or care workers ↗
Employers use this guidance to become or remain licensed before sponsoring health and care workers.
UK Home Office · verified
Fees and processing time
A typical Health and Care Worker visa application runs about £343.20 in government fees (single care-sector applicant, 3-year CoS, no priority). A decision then typically takes 2 weeks – 3 weeks. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.
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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.
Is the Health and Care Worker visa cheaper than the standard Skilled Worker visa?+
Yes. The Health and Care Worker visa offers a reduced application fee compared with the standard Skilled Worker route and exempts you and your dependants from the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is a significant cost saving. You still need a job offer from an eligible NHS body, NHS contractor, or CQC-registered care provider holding a sponsor licence. Check the current fee schedule on GOV.UK.
What professional registration do I need to work as a nurse or doctor on the Health and Care Worker visa?+
Clinical roles require professional registration evidence, such as NMC registration (including the OSCE) for nurses or GMC registration (via PLAB or CESR) for doctors. These registration steps typically run in parallel with your visa application. Confirm the requirements for your role on GOV.UK.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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