The Health and Care Worker visa offers a unique opportunity for skilled healthcare professionals to make a meaningful difference in the UK's healthcare landscape. Whether you're a doctor, nurse, social worker, or other healthcare professional, this visa provides a platform to contribute your expertise while advancing your career and personal growth.

Whether you want to apply for or extend your Health and Care Worker visa, our team of immigration solicitors can guide you step-by-step through the process, ensuring you meet all the necessary eligibility criteria and compile a strong application. Our attention to detail and expert knowledge will give you the best possible chance of success.

If you need help with a UK visa application or any other type of immigration matter, contact our immigration solicitors by calling 0208 616 5535 or filling out our online contact form. We are here to guide you every step of the way.

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What is a Health and Care Worker visa?

A Health and Care Worker visa is a type of UK work visa that allows medical professionals to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care.

Your Health and Care Worker visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it. You'll need to apply to extend or update your visa when it expires or if you change your job or employer.

After living in the UK for five years under the Health and Care Worker visa category, you may be eligible to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain), granting you permanent residence in the UK.

UK Health and Care Worker visa requirements

To be eligible for a UK Health and Care Worker visa, you must meet certain requirements. You must:

  • be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional
  • work in an eligible health or social care job
  • work for a UK employer that's been approved by the Home Office
  • have a 'certificate of sponsorship' from your employer with information about the role you've been offered in the UK
  • be paid a minimum salary - how much depends on the type of work you do
  • have enough money to support yourself in the UK
  • have suitable accommodation available for you in the UK.
  • prove your proficiency in the English language, depending on your nationality.

Depending on the type of your appication and circumstances, you must meet all the other eligibility requirements. Schedule a consultation with our UK immigration solicitor for your eligibility assessments.

Salary requirements

You'll usually need to be paid at least £29,000 gross per year, or the lower 'going rate' for your job, whichever is higher.  

Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. How you find the going rate depends on your job.

When you need to meet different salary requirements

You'll need to meet different salary requirements for this visa if your job is in one of the following occupation codes:

  • 1181: health services and public health managers and directors
  • 1242: residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
  • 2112: biological scientists and biochemists
  • 2113: physical scientists
  • 3111: laboratory technicians
  • 3216: dispensing opticians
  • 3217: pharmaceutical technicians
  • 6145: care workers and home carers
  • 6146: senior care workers

English language requirements

You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

You can meet the requirements by:

Documents required for Health and Care Worker visa

When you apply for your Health and Care Worker visa you will need to provide:

  • a current passport or other valid travel document to prove your identity
  • your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this
  • your job title and annual salary
  • your job's occupation code
  • the name of your employer and their sponsor licence number - this will be on your certificate of sponsorship
  • proof you have enough money to support yourself
  • proof of accommodation such as a tenancy agreement
  • evidence of English language proficiency
  • criminal record certificate if you're applying from outside the UK
  • tuberculosis test results (if applicable)

The document checklist provided above is not exhaustive, and additional documents may be required depending on the type of your UK visa application and your circumstances. Schedule a consultation with our UK immigration solicitor to get a comprehensive list of required documents and eligibility assessments.

How to apply for a Health and Care Worker visa?

Applying for a UK visa involves several steps. Here is a general outline of the visa application process:

  • Determine Eligibility: Before applying for a UK visa, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the specific visa category you are applying for.
  • Gather Required Documents: Prepare the necessary supporting documents to submit along with your visa application.
  • Complete the Online Application Form: Visit the UK government's official visa application website and complete the online application form.
  • Biometric Appointment: Schedule an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs). You will need to attend the appointment in person.
  • Submit Application and Pay Fees: Once you have compiled all the necessary documents and completed the application form(s), submit your visa application online and pay the applicable visa fees. Fees vary depending on the type of visa and processing times.
  • Wait for a Decision: Once you have submitted your application and attended the biometric appointment (if required), you will need to wait for a decision on your visa application. Processing times can vary, so check the UK government website for current processing times.

You must carefully follow the application instructions and provide accurate and complete information and documentation to avoid delays or refusal of your visa application. If you have any questions or concerns about the application process, consider seeking guidance from our expert UK immigration solicitor in London.

UK Health and Care Worker visa processing time

Health and Care Worker visa applications generally take up to 3 weeks if applying using a standard service. However, you may be able to use "priority service" to get a faster decision.

The processing time for a UK visa or immigration application can vary depending on several factors. All the applicants are advised to check the latest information about  application processing time on the official UK government website either applying from inside the UK or outside the UK.

How can immigration solicitors help with UK visa applications?

Immigration solicitors play a crucial role in assisting individuals with their UK visa applications by providing expert guidance, legal advice, and representation throughout the application process. Here's how immigration solicitors can help:

  • Initial Consultation: Our immigration solicitors offer an initial consultation where we assess the individual's circumstances, immigration goals, and eligibility for the desired visa category. During this consultation, we provide an overview of the visa application process, requirements, and potential challenges.
  • Visa Category Selection: Our immigration solicitors help individuals select the most appropriate visa category based on their specific circumstances, such as work, study, family reunion, investment, or settlement. We explain the eligibility criteria and requirements for each visa category and assist in determining the best option for the individual's needs.
  • Document Preparation: Our immigration solicitors guide applicants through the preparation of required documents, ensuring they are accurate, complete, and compliant with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements.
  • Application Form Completion: Our solicitors will fill in visa application forms accurately and thoroughly to avoid any delays or rejection. We provide guidance on answering questions, providing necessary information, and disclosing any relevant details required by the UKVI.
  • Application Submission: We will compile and organise your visa application package and submit your visa application to the UKVI or relevant immigration authorities. We ensure that all required documents are included, application fees are paid, and submission deadlines are met.
  • Communication with Authorities: Our immigration solicitors act as intermediaries between the applicant and the UKVI, representing the applicant's interests and communicating with immigration authorities on their behalf. We handle any correspondence, requests for additional information, or enquiries from the UKVI throughout the application process.
  • Follow-Up and Monitoring: We monitor the progress of the visa application and provide updates to the applicant as needed. We follow up with immigration authorities to expedite the processing of the application and address any issues or concerns that may arise during the assessment period.

Contact UK immigration solicitors today

If you require expert legal advice or assistance with any type of UK visa or immigration application, don't hesitate to contact us today. Our team of highly experienced UK immigration solicitors is here to guide you every step of the way.

To schedule a consultation with our UK immigration law solicitors in London, please call us on 0208 616 5535 or contact us through our online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions (Health and Care Worker Visa UK)

A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a unique reference number issued by your sponsoring employer. They provide this document, which is required for your visa application, after confirming your job offer and meeting other necessary criteria.

You might be able to apply to change ('switch') to a Health and Care Worker visa if you're already in the UK on a different type of visa and meet the necessary eligibility criteria & requirements for the visa.

Yes, you can travel abroad and return to the UK during your stay as long as your visa remains valid. However, prolonged absences from the UK may affect your eligibility for settlement.

To schedule a consultation, you can contact our office by phone (0208 616 5535) or email (info@vanguardlaw.co.uk). Alternatively, you can fill out the online contact form, and a member of our team will reach out to you promptly to arrange a suitable time for a consultation.

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