In This Guide
The Health and Care Worker visa is one of the most popular routes for international healthcare professionals and care workers to live and work in the United Kingdom. Introduced in August 2020, it offers significantly reduced fees and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge, making it one of the most cost-effective UK work visa routes available.
Whether you are a nurse, care worker, social worker, or other healthcare professional, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about applying for, holding, and eventually settling through the Health and Care Worker visa in 2026.
What Is the Health and Care Worker Visa?
The Health and Care Worker visa is a subcategory of the UK Skilled Worker visa, specifically designed for qualified healthcare professionals who have been offered a job in the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care. It was created to make it easier and cheaper for the UK to recruit international health and care professionals.
Key advantage over Skilled Worker visa
Health and Care Worker visa holders are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge (normally £1,035/year), have lower application fees, and benefit from faster processing times. Over a 5-year visa, this can save you and your family over £10,000.
The visa can be granted for up to 5 years and can be extended. After 5 continuous years, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is permanent settlement in the UK.
You must have a job offer from an approved UK employer who holds a valid Sponsor Licence. Your employer must issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) before you can apply.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa, you must meet all of the following requirements:
Job offer from a licensed sponsor
You must have a genuine job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid Sponsor Licence. The employer must assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Use the CareVisa sponsor search to find verified sponsors.
Eligible occupation
Your job must be in an eligible health or social care occupation, such as nurse, care worker, senior care worker, social worker, paramedic, physiotherapist, or other listed healthcare role. The job must have an appropriate SOC code.
Minimum salary
Your salary must meet the minimum threshold of £23,200 per year (or £11.90 per hour), or the going rate for your specific occupation, whichever is higher. New entrants may qualify at a reduced threshold of £20,960.
English language requirement
You must prove your knowledge of English to at least CEFR level B1 (intermediate). This can be through an approved English language test such as IELTS, a degree taught in English, or being a national of a majority English-speaking country.
Financial requirement
You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days, unless your employer certifies your maintenance on the CoS (most do).
TB test (if applicable)
If you are applying from a country where tuberculosis screening is required, you must provide a valid TB test certificate from an approved clinic. This applies to applicants from many countries in Africa, Asia, and South America.
Salary Thresholds 2026
The Health and Care Worker visa has specific salary requirements that differ depending on your occupation and whether you qualify as a new entrant. Here are the key thresholds for 2026:
| Category | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| General minimum threshold | £23,200 | £11.90/hr |
| New entrant threshold | £20,960 | £10.75/hr |
| Care worker / home carer (SOC 6135) | £23,200 | £11.90/hr |
| Senior care worker (SOC 6136) | £23,200 | £11.90/hr |
| Nurse (SOC 2231) | £29,970 | £15.37/hr |
| Social worker (SOC 2442) | £34,350 | £17.61/hr |
Important: Your salary must be the higher of the general threshold and the going rate for your specific occupation. Part-time roles are calculated pro-rata but must still meet the hourly rate requirement.
You may qualify as a new entrant if you are under 26, are switching from a Student or Graduate visa, or are in the early stages of your career. New entrants can apply at 70% of the going rate for their occupation.
Eligible Occupations
The following types of health and social care roles are eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa. Your specific job title and duties must correspond to an eligible SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code:
Medical Professionals
- Medical practitioners (doctors)
- Dentists
- Pharmacists
- Psychologists
- Radiographers
Nursing & Midwifery
- Registered nurses
- Midwives
- Nursing auxiliaries
- Health visitors
- District nurses
Therapy & Allied Health
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech & language therapists
- Paramedics
- Biomedical scientists
Social Care
- Care workers
- Senior care workers
- Home carers
- Social workers
- Care managers
Your employer’s role must be in the NHS, an NHS supplier organisation, or in adult social care regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England or equivalent regulators in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Application Process Step by Step
Find a Licensed Sponsor Employer
Your first step is to find and secure a job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid Sponsor Licence for the Health and Care Worker visa route. You can search the official Home Office register of sponsors or use CareVisa's verified database of 12,500+ care sector sponsors.
Look for employers with an A-rated licence and a good CQC rating. Read reviews from other sponsored workers where available, and ask about career development and visa fee support during interviews.
Receive Your Certificate of Sponsorship
Once you accept a job offer, your employer will assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) through the Home Office Sponsorship Management System. The CoS is an electronic record (not a physical document) containing your job details, salary, SOC code, and start date.
Your employer pays £239 for the CoS. Make sure all the information on the CoS is accurate before they submit it, as errors can lead to delays or refusals.
Gather Your Supporting Documents
You will need the following documents for your visa application:
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- Valid passport (with at least one blank page)
- English language test results (IELTS B1 or equivalent)
- TB test certificate (if from a listed country)
- Bank statements showing £1,270 for 28 days (unless employer certifies maintenance)
- Criminal record certificate (if working in healthcare)
- Professional registration (e.g., NMC for nurses)
Submit Your Application Online
Apply online through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website. You will need to complete the application form, pay the visa fee, and book a biometric appointment. If applying from outside the UK, you attend a Visa Application Centre (VAC). If applying from inside the UK, you attend a UKVCAS centre.
The application form asks about your personal details, immigration history, criminal convictions, and the job you have been offered. Answer all questions honestly and completely.
Receive Your Decision and Start Work
Once your application is approved, you will receive a vignette (sticker) in your passport if applying from abroad, or an eVisa/BRP if applying from within the UK. You can then travel to the UK (or start your new role if already here) and begin working for your sponsor.
Remember, you can only work for the employer named on your visa. If you want to change employers later, see our switch sponsor guide.
Costs and Fees
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee (up to 3 years) | £284 | Reduced from standard Skilled Worker fee |
| Visa fee (more than 3 years) | £551 | Up to 5 years |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £0 | EXEMPT — saves £1,035/year |
| Certificate of Sponsorship | £239 | Paid by employer |
| Priority service (optional) | £500 | 5 working days (in-country only) |
| Super priority (optional) | £1,000 | Next working day (in-country only) |
Savings compared to Skilled Worker visa: Over a 5-year visa, a Health and Care Worker visa applicant saves approximately £5,175 on the IHS alone. Combined with lower application fees, total savings can exceed £6,000 per person. Dependants also receive the IHS exemption.
Processing Times
Applying from outside the UK
Standard processing
Applying from inside the UK
Standard processing
Priority service (in-country)
Additional £500
Super priority (in-country)
Additional £1,000
Processing times are from the date of your biometric appointment. You should not make travel arrangements or resign from employment until you receive your decision.
Key Benefits of the Health and Care Worker Visa
No NHS surcharge
You and your dependants are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge, saving over £5,000 per person over 5 years. You have full access to NHS services from day one.
Lower visa fees
Application fees are significantly lower than the standard Skilled Worker visa, starting at £284 for up to 3 years compared to £719 for the Skilled Worker route.
Path to settlement
After 5 continuous years, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), giving you permanent residency and the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions.
Bring your family
You can bring your partner and children as dependants. They can work and study in the UK with no restrictions and also benefit from the IHS exemption.
Flexibility to change employers
You are not tied to one employer. You can switch sponsors at any time by finding a new licensed employer and submitting a change of employment application.
Faster processing
Health and Care Worker visa applications are generally processed faster than standard Skilled Worker applications, with out-of-country applications typically decided within 3 weeks.
Switching to the Health and Care Worker 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 known as a “change of conditions” or “in-country switch”. See our detailed guide on switching from Tier 2 to Health and Care Worker visa.
You CAN switch from:
- Skilled Worker visa (including former Tier 2 General)
- Student visa (after completing your course)
- Graduate visa
- Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa
- Another Health and Care Worker visa (changing employer)
- Dependent visa (in most cases)
You CANNOT switch from:
- Visit visa (Standard Visitor)
- Short-term student visa
- Domestic worker visa (in most cases)
- Immigration bail
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Health and Care Worker visa UK?
The Health and Care Worker visa is a UK work visa that allows qualified medical professionals, nurses, and care workers to come to or stay in the UK to work in eligible health and social care roles. It is a subcategory of the Skilled Worker visa with reduced fees and no Immigration Health Surcharge.
What is the minimum salary for the Health and Care Worker visa in 2026?
The general minimum salary threshold for the Health and Care Worker visa in 2026 is £23,200 per year or £11.90 per hour. However, specific occupations may have higher going rate requirements. New entrants may qualify for a lower salary threshold of £20,960.
Do Health and Care Worker visa holders pay the NHS surcharge?
No. One of the key benefits of the Health and Care Worker visa is exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which normally costs £1,035 per year. This saves applicants and their dependants thousands of pounds compared to other visa routes.
How long does the Health and Care Worker visa application take?
Standard processing time is 3 weeks for applications made outside the UK and 8 weeks for in-country applications. Priority service (5 working days) costs around £500 and super priority (next working day) costs around £1,000 for in-country applications.
What jobs are eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa?
Eligible occupations include nurses, care workers, senior care workers, nursing auxiliaries, home carers, social workers, paramedics, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, medical practitioners, dentists, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals listed on the eligible occupations list.
Can I bring my family on the Health and Care Worker visa?
Yes, you can bring your partner (spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner) and children under 18 as dependants. Dependants also benefit from the IHS exemption. They have full rights to work and study in the UK. Each dependant needs a separate visa application. See our dependant visa guide.
Can I switch to the Health and Care Worker visa from inside the UK?
Yes, you can switch to the Health and Care Worker visa from most visa categories while in the UK, including the Skilled Worker visa, Student visa (after completing your course), and Graduate visa. You cannot switch from a Visit visa, short-term student visa, or if you have immigration bail conditions.
Does the Health and Care Worker visa lead to permanent residency?
Yes. After 5 continuous years on the Health and Care Worker visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is permanent settlement in the UK. You will need to pass the Life in the UK test, meet the English language requirement, and satisfy salary thresholds at the time of your ILR application. See our ILR guide for care workers.