In This Guide
If you are currently in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2 General) and you work in health or social care, you may be eligible to switch to the Health and Care Worker visa. This switch can save you thousands of pounds in fees and NHS surcharge payments while maintaining your path to permanent settlement.
The Health and Care Worker visa is a subcategory of the Skilled Worker route, so switching between them is straightforward. Your time on the Skilled Worker visa already counts towards your 5-year ILR qualifying period, making this a financially advantageous move with no downside.
Why Switch from Tier 2 to Health and Care Worker?
There are several significant benefits to switching from the standard Skilled Worker visa to the Health and Care Worker route:
No Immigration Health Surcharge
The biggest benefit. The IHS costs £1,035 per year per person on the Skilled Worker visa. On the Health and Care Worker visa, you and your dependants are completely exempt. For a family of four over 3 years, this saves over £12,000.
Lower visa application fees
The Health and Care Worker visa costs £284 (up to 3 years) versus £719 for the standard Skilled Worker visa. For applications over 3 years, it is £551 versus £1,420. This applies to extensions and switches.
No ILR clock reset
Your time on the Skilled Worker visa counts towards the 5-year ILR qualifying period. Both routes are in the same settlement category, so your continuous residence is maintained.
Employer ISC exemption
Your employer is exempt from the Immigration Skills Charge on the Health and Care Worker route. This makes you a more attractive candidate, as the employer saves £364–£1,000 per year.
Eligibility for Switching
To switch from the Skilled Worker (Tier 2) visa to the Health and Care Worker visa, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Currently hold valid Skilled Worker or Tier 2 leave: Your current visa must not have expired. If it has, you would need to apply from outside the UK.
- Job in an eligible health or care occupation: Your role must be on the list of eligible occupations for the Health and Care Worker visa, including care workers, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals.
- Employer holds a valid sponsor licence: Your employer (current or new) must hold an active Sponsor Licence for the Health and Care Worker route.
- Employer is in an eligible sector: The organisation must be the NHS, an NHS supplier, or a provider of adult social care regulated by the CQC (or equivalent).
- Meet the salary threshold: Your salary must meet the minimum of £23,200/year (or the going rate for your occupation), same as the Health and Care Worker visa requirements.
- Valid Certificate of Sponsorship: You need a new CoS for the Health and Care Worker route, even if staying with the same employer.
Same employer or new employer: You can switch to the Health and Care Worker route with your current employer (if they are in an eligible sector) or with a new employer. Either way, a new CoS is required.
Cost Savings Comparison
Here is a side-by-side comparison showing how much you can save by switching to the Health and Care Worker visa:
| Cost (3-year visa) | Skilled Worker | Health & Care Worker | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa application fee | £719 | £284 | £435 |
| IHS (3 years, single applicant) | £3,105 | £0 | £3,105 |
| Total (single applicant) | £3,824 | £284 | £3,540 |
| IHS (3 years, family of 4) | £12,420 | £0 | £12,420 |
| Total (family of 4) | £15,296 | £1,136 | £14,160 |
Bottom line: A single applicant saves approximately £3,540 on a 3-year switch. A family of four saves over £14,000. The financial case for switching is compelling for anyone eligible.
Step-by-Step Switching Process
Confirm Your Eligibility
First, verify that your current role (or the role you are moving to) is eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa. Check the eligible occupations list and confirm your employer is in the NHS, an NHS supplier, or a CQC-regulated adult social care provider.
If you are changing employer at the same time, make sure the new employer has an active Sponsor Licence. Use CareVisa's sponsor search to verify licence status.
Ask Your Employer for a New CoS
Your employer needs to assign you a new Certificate of Sponsorship on the Health and Care Worker route. Even if you are staying with the same employer and in the same role, a new CoS is required because you are changing visa category.
The employer pays £239 for the CoS. Explain the benefits to your employer — they will also save on the Immigration Skills Charge (which they currently pay on the standard Skilled Worker route).
Gather Your Documents
You will need:
- New CoS reference number
- Valid passport
- Current BRP
- English language evidence (from your original application or a new test)
- Bank statements (if employer is not certifying maintenance)
English language: If you already proved your English for your Tier 2/Skilled Worker visa, you likely will not need to retake IELTS. Your previous evidence should be accepted.
Submit Your Application Online
Apply online through the UKVI portal. Select the Health and Care Worker visa category and indicate that you are switching from the Skilled Worker route. Pay the reduced visa fee (£284 for up to 3 years) and note that no IHS payment is required.
Book and attend your biometric appointment at a UKVCAS centre. Continue working for your current employer while the application is being processed.
Receive Your Decision
Standard processing takes up to 8 weeks. You can opt for priority (5 working days, £500) or super priority (next working day, £1,000) if you need a faster decision.
Once approved, you will receive a new BRP or eVisa showing your Health and Care Worker visa status. If you have also changed employer, you can now start your new role.
ILR Implications
One of the most important things to understand about switching from the Skilled Worker visa to the Health and Care Worker visa is the impact on your path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Your ILR clock does NOT reset
Both the Skilled Worker visa and the Health and Care Worker visa are part of the same settlement route. Any time you have spent on Tier 2 General or Skilled Worker visa counts towards your 5-year qualifying period for ILR.
Example: If you have been on a Skilled Worker visa for 3 years and switch to the Health and Care Worker visa, you only need 2 more years before you can apply for ILR. The entire 5-year period counts.
When you apply for ILR, you will need to meet the requirements at that time, including:
- 5 continuous years of qualifying residence
- Pass the Life in the UK test
- Meet the English language requirement (B1 level)
- Meet the salary threshold in force at ILR stage
- Not have been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period
For full details, see our ILR guide for care workers.
Processing Timeline
Employer assigns new CoS
Administrative task
Standard processing
From biometric appointment
Priority service
Additional £500
Super priority service
Additional £1,000
Section 3C leave: If you apply before your current visa expires, you continue to have the right to work and stay in the UK on the same conditions as your existing visa while your application is being decided. This is known as Section 3C leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Tier 2 to Health and Care Worker visa?
Yes, you can switch from a Tier 2 (General) or Skilled Worker visa to the Health and Care Worker visa while remaining in the UK. You need a job offer from a licensed sponsor in an eligible health or care role. The process is an in-country application that takes around 8 weeks.
What are the benefits of switching to the Health and Care Worker visa?
Key benefits include exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (saving £1,035 per year per person), lower visa application fees (£284 vs £719 for up to 3 years), and the same path to ILR after 5 years. Your existing time on the Tier 2/Skilled Worker route counts towards your qualifying period.
Does switching to Health and Care Worker visa reset my ILR clock?
No. Time spent on the Skilled Worker visa (including the old Tier 2 General) counts towards your 5-year qualifying period for ILR when you switch to the Health and Care Worker visa, as both routes are part of the same settlement category.
How much does it cost to switch from Tier 2 to Health and Care Worker?
The visa application fee is £284 for up to 3 years or £551 for more than 3 years. You are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. Your employer pays the £239 Certificate of Sponsorship fee. Optional priority processing costs £500 or £1,000.
Can I keep working while my switch application is pending?
Yes, if you submit your application before your current visa expires, you can continue working for your current employer under Section 3C leave while the application is being processed. You cannot start working for a new employer until the switch is approved.
Do I need to take IELTS again to switch visa routes?
Not necessarily. If you have already proven your English language ability for your Tier 2 or Skilled Worker visa, you may not need to retake the test. UKVI accepts previous English language evidence if it was used for a successful visa application.