In This Guide
Application Overview
The UK Health and Care Worker visa application is an online process managed through the UK Government website (gov.uk). Whether you are applying from outside the UK or switching from another visa inside the UK, the process follows a clear sequence of steps that typically takes between 3 and 8 weeks from submission to decision.
The application cannot be started until your employer has assigned you a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is the single most important prerequisite — without it, you cannot proceed. Once you have your CoS reference number, the application itself is straightforward if you have the right documents prepared.
Key Fact
The Health and Care Worker visa is a subcategory of the Skilled Worker visa with reduced fees and no Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This saves applicants over £5,000 compared to the standard Skilled Worker visa over a 5-year period. See our complete cost breakdown.
The process involves: securing a job offer and CoS, gathering documents, completing the online form, paying fees, attending a biometric appointment, and waiting for a decision. In this guide we walk through every step in detail.
Before You Apply: Prerequisites
Before starting your application, you must have several things in place. Missing any of these will result in your application being refused or delayed.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Your UK employer must hold a valid Sponsor Licence and assign you a CoS. This is an electronic document with a unique reference number — not a physical certificate. Your employer applies for this through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). The CoS contains your job title, salary, SOC code, and start date. It is valid for 3 months once assigned. Use CareVisa to find sponsors with active licences.
English Language Proof
You must prove your English ability at B1 level (CEFR) or above. Accepted evidence includes: IELTS for UKVI (minimum 4.0 in each component), OET (minimum grade C+ in each component), a degree taught in English, or being a national of a majority English-speaking country. See our IELTS guide for care workers and B2 English requirement guide.
Financial Requirement
You need at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days ending no more than 31 days before your application. However, if your employer certifies maintenance on your CoS (most do), you do not need to show savings. Always check with your employer whether they have certified maintenance.
Criminal Record Certificate
Since you will be working in a regulated role (health and social care), you must provide a criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. This includes your home country. Certificates must be recent (usually issued within the last 6 months) and may need to be translated into English by a certified translator.
Tuberculosis Test (If Required)
Applicants from certain countries must provide a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate. The test must be done at an approved clinic in your country and costs approximately £65–£100. Check the UK Government website for the list of countries where TB testing is required. Results are usually available within a few days.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Find a Sponsor and Get a Job Offer
Search for UK employers who hold a Sponsor Licence for care worker roles. You can use the CareVisa sponsor database to search over 12,500 verified sponsors by location, role type, and salary. Your employer must offer you a job that meets the minimum salary threshold.
Timeline: 1–12 weeks depending on your search
Step 2: Employer Assigns Certificate of Sponsorship
Once you accept the job offer, your employer applies for a CoS through the Sponsorship Management System. They need an available CoS allocation — if they need more, they apply for a restricted CoS which takes 1–4 weeks. Once assigned, you receive a CoS reference number (beginning with a letter followed by numbers).
Timeline: 1–5 days (unrestricted) or 1–4 weeks (restricted)
Step 3: Gather Your Documents
Collect all required documents before starting the online form. Having everything ready avoids delays. See the documents section below for the full checklist. Get certified translations for any documents not in English. Book your TB test if required.
Timeline: 1–4 weeks (criminal record certificates can take longest)
Step 4: Complete the Online Application
Visit gov.uk and search for "Health and Care Worker visa". Click "Apply now" and create a UKVI account (or sign in if you have one). Complete all sections of the form including personal details, passport information, CoS reference number, employment history, and travel history. You can save and return to the form. Review everything carefully before submitting.
Timeline: 1–2 hours to complete the form
Step 5: Pay the Application Fee
Pay the visa application fee online by debit or credit card. The fee is £284 for up to 3 years or £551 for more than 3 years. You do NOT pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as Health and Care Worker visa applicants are exempt. If the system asks you to pay IHS, you should be refunded automatically. You can also pay for priority processing at this stage.
Fee is per applicant — dependants pay separately
Step 6: Book and Attend Biometric Appointment
After paying, book an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) near you. At the appointment, you provide fingerprints and a photograph. Bring your passport, appointment confirmation, and supporting documents. If applying from outside the UK, you attend a VAC in your country. If applying inside the UK, you use a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre.
Timeline: appointments usually available within 1–2 weeks
Step 7: Wait for a Decision
After your biometric appointment, your application is processed. Standard processing is 3 weeks (from outside UK) or 8 weeks (from inside UK). You may be contacted for additional information or invited for an interview, though this is rare. You can track your application status online through your UKVI account.
See processing times for priority options
Step 8: Receive Your Decision and Travel
You receive the decision by email. If approved from outside the UK, a vignette (sticker) is placed in your passport valid for 90 days. You must enter the UK within this period. Once in the UK, you previously collected a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) but as of 2025, the UK has transitioned to eVisas which you access online. If applying from inside the UK, your permission is updated digitally.
You can start work on the date specified on your CoS
Required Documents Checklist
Prepare the following documents before starting your application. Missing documents are the most common cause of delays and refusals.
Application Fees 2026
The Health and Care Worker visa has reduced fees compared to the standard Skilled Worker visa. Here is the complete breakdown of costs for 2026:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application (up to 3 years) | £284 |
| Visa application (more than 3 years) | £551 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £0 (exempt) |
| Priority processing (5 working days) | ~£500 |
| Super priority (next working day, in-UK only) | ~£1,000 |
| IELTS for UKVI test | £170–£210 |
| TB test (if required) | £65–£100 |
| Criminal record certificate (varies by country) | £20–£80 |
Typical Total Cost
For a 3-year visa with standard processing: approximately £500–£700 total out-of-pocket. The Certificate of Sponsorship fee (£239) is paid by your employer, not you. For a full cost breakdown including dependants, see our complete cost guide.
Processing Times
Processing times depend on where you apply from and whether you choose priority services:
Important
Processing times are measured from the date of your biometric appointment, not the date you submit the online form. Plan ahead for document collection, especially criminal record certificates which can take 2–6 weeks in some countries. During busy periods (August–October), processing may take longer than published times.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many applications are refused or delayed due to avoidable errors. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:
Incorrect CoS details
Check that all details on your CoS match your passport and other documents exactly. Common errors include misspelled names, wrong dates of birth, and incorrect SOC codes. If there is any discrepancy, ask your employer to correct the CoS before applying.
Expired English test
IELTS for UKVI results are valid for 2 years from the test date. Make sure your test results will still be valid when your application is decided, not just when you apply. If your results expire soon, rebook the test.
Insufficient financial evidence
If your employer has not certified maintenance on your CoS, your bank statements must show £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days. Money must not dip below this threshold at any point during the 28 days. The 28-day period must end no more than 31 days before your application date.
Missing criminal record certificates
You need certificates from every country where you lived for 12+ months in the last 10 years, not just your home country. This is a health and care specific requirement. Start this process early as some countries take weeks to issue certificates.
Applying too late after CoS assignment
Your CoS is valid for only 3 months from the date of assignment. If you do not submit your visa application within this window, the CoS expires and your employer must assign a new one. Start your application as soon as you receive the CoS reference number.
After Your Visa Is Approved
Once your visa is approved, there are important next steps depending on whether you applied from outside or inside the UK.
If you applied from outside the UK:
- You receive a 90-day vignette in your passport — you must enter the UK within this period
- Your visa validity starts from your chosen start date, not from when you enter the UK
- Access your eVisa through your UKVI account once in the UK (BRP cards are being phased out)
- Register with a GP, open a bank account, and get a National Insurance number
- Your employer must complete a right-to-work check before you start
If you applied from inside the UK:
- Your permission is updated digitally — check your eVisa status online
- You can continue working during the application if you applied before your previous visa expired
- Your new employer must complete a right-to-work check using the online employer checking service
- Update your details with HMRC if changing employers
What Comes Next?
After 5 continuous years on the Health and Care Worker visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). You can also bring your dependants or switch sponsors during your visa.
Switching From Another Visa
If you are already in the UK on a different visa, you may be able to switch to the Health and Care Worker visa without leaving the country. This is called an "in-country" or "change of conditions" application.
You CAN switch from:
- Skilled Worker visa
- Student visa (after completing your course)
- Graduate visa
- Tier 2 (General) visa
- Dependant visa (with a new CoS)
- Most other work visa categories
You CANNOT switch from:
- Visitor visa
- Short-term student visa
- Seasonal worker visa
- Domestic worker visa
- If you are on immigration bail
For detailed guidance, see our switching sponsors guide and Tier 2 to Health and Care Worker guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a UK care visa application cost in 2026?
The visa fee is £284 (up to 3 years) or £551 (over 3 years). You are exempt from the £1,035/year IHS. Including the English test, TB test, and criminal record certificates, total out-of-pocket costs are typically £500–£900. Your employer pays the CoS fee.
How long does the care visa application take to process?
Standard processing is 3 weeks (outside UK) or 8 weeks (inside UK). Priority is 5 working days (~£500 extra). Super priority is next working day (~£1,000, in-UK only).
What documents do I need for a care visa application?
You need: valid passport, CoS reference number, English language proof, bank statements (or employer maintenance certification), criminal record certificates from countries where you lived 12+ months, TB test (if required), and certified translations for non-English documents.
Can I apply for a care visa without a job offer?
No. You must have a genuine job offer from a UK sponsor licence holder who assigns you a Certificate of Sponsorship. Use the CareVisa sponsor search to find employers.
What is the care visa application form called?
There is no separate paper form. You apply online through gov.uk under "Health and Care Worker visa". Create a UKVI account, complete the online application, pay the fee, and book biometrics.
What happens after I submit my care visa application?
You attend a biometric appointment, then wait for a decision (3–8 weeks). If approved and applying from abroad, you get a 90-day entry vignette. Once in the UK, access your eVisa online. If in-country, your status is updated digitally.