UK Health and Care Worker Visa

The UK Health and Care Worker Visa: Your Pathway to a Rewarding Career in the UK Healthcare Sector

Are you a healthcare professional planning to work in the UK? You’re in the right place. The UK Health and Care Worker Visa is a dedicated visa category specifically designed to facilitate international health professionals in providing their invaluable services across the UK’s healthcare sector.

The Health and Care Worker Visa serves as a lifeline to the healthcare sector, allowing it to function effectively and efficiently, bolstering the delivery of critical healthcare services to the population. The UK government recognises the vital contribution of overseas healthcare professionals and has made the application process more straightforward.

However, to apply for this visa, you must meet specific criteria. This includes having a job offer from an approved sponsor, such as an NHS trust, and demonstrating your proficiency in English. Additionally, you must show that you have the required maintenance funds to support your stay in the UK.

Criteria for the UK Health and Care Worker Visa

You must usually receive a minimum annual salary of £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) - assuming your role is eligible for the reduced salary, i.e. care workers.
You are a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional
You work in an eligible health or social care job (see the list below)
You must meet the English language requirement of CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking and listening, or be from an ‘English speaking country’
You must obtain work sponsorship from an employer registered as a Home Office sponsor. Upon sponsorship, you will be issued with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), this is like an online UK work permit
You must have held £1,270 in savings for 28 days prior to the date of application, or an A-Rated Home Office sponsor may certify that they will provide this on the CoS. Further funds must be held for each dependant family member applying

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Eligible Professions for the Health and Care Visa: An Updated Overview

The dynamic nature of healthcare necessitates regular updates to the list of professions eligible for the Health & Care visa. Here are the professions currently included:

1171
Health services and public health managers and directors
1231
Health care practice managers
1232
Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
2113
Biochemists and biomedical scientists
2114
Physical scientists
2211
Generalist medical practitioners
2212
Specialist medical practitioners
2221
Physiotherapists
2222
Occupational therapists
2223
Speech and language therapists
2224
Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists
2225
Clinical psychologists
2225
Other psychologists
2229
Therapy professionals not elsewhere classified
2231
Midwifery nurses
2232
Registered community nurses
2233
Registered specialist nurses
2234
Registered nurse practitioners
2235
Registered mental health nurses
2236
Registered children’s nurses
2237
Other registered nursing professionals
2251
Pharmacists
2252
Optometrists
2253
Dental practitioners
2254
Medical radiographers
2255
Paramedics
2256
Podiatrists
2259
Other health professionals not elsewhere classified
2461
Social workers
3111
Laboratory technicians
3211
Dispensing opticians
3212
Pharmaceutical technicians
3213
Medical and dental technicians
3219
Health associate professionals not elsewhere classified
6131
Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
6132
Ambulance staff (excluding paramedics)
6133
Dental nurses
6135
Care workers and home carers
6136
Senior care workers

FAQs

Health & Care visas are usually granted for an initial period of either up to 3 years or up to 5 years.  This is usually in line with the work duration indicated on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) assigned to you, in effect your UK work permit.

If your Health & Care sponsorship continues, it is possible to apply for UK work visa extensions from within the UK indefinitely.

It is possible to apply to switch visa category from within the UK into this visa type, if you are not currently in the UK holding one of the following visa types:

  • Visitor visa
  • Short-Term Student visa
  • Parent of a Child visa
  • Seasonal Worker visa
  • Domestic Worker visa
  • Any Discretionary visa

Please however note that you may still need to meet the requirement to have worked for your employer outside of the UK for the required period, unless exempt. 

Following 5 years continuous residence, you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, effectively permanent residence providing all the requirements are met at that time.

In most cases, yes. If you hold a visa in an eligible occupation code, your spouse or partner and children under 18 can apply for visas to join you in the UK as your dependants. Additionally, your spouse or partner will generally have the right to work while in the UK. However, there is an important exception for Care Workers and Senior Care Workers under occupation codes 6135 and 6136. If you fall under these categories and were granted your visa after 11 March 2024, you will not be permitted to bring dependant family members with you. This restriction does not apply if your visa was issued before that date.

It is permitted to switch into the Health & Care visa type from within the UK if you were last granted a visa under certain visa categories. In all other circumstances, initial Skilled Worker visa applications must be from abroad, either from your country of nationality or legal residence.

UKVI aim to process visas as follows:

Visa applications submitted outside of the UK:

  • Standard processing: 15 working days
  • Priority Service processing: 5 working days

 

Visa applications submitted inside the UK:

  • Standard processing: 8 weeks
  • Priority Service processing: 5 working days

 

Important: UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) do not guarantee processing times and delays do occur. We advise that you do not book any non refundable travel until your visa has been approved and your work visa is in your possession.  Priority services can be suspended without notice and may not be available at the time of application.

The Home Office application fee is as follows:

Applying outside or inside of the UK:

  • Visa up to 3 years duration: £284; or
  • Visa more than 3 years (max 5) duration: £551

No, those who qualify for the Health & Care visa are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

Pricing

At Immtell, we understand healthcare professionals’ critical role in our community. To assist those applying for the Health and Care Worker Visa, we have crafted two specialised service packages catering to different needs and stages of the application process.

🌟 Full End-to-End Support: Our comprehensive package offers in-depth support and guidance throughout your visa application journey. From the initial eligibility assessment to the final submission, our team of experts ensures that every aspect of your application is meticulously handled, providing you with the best chance of success.

📝 Application Review and Feedback: Our review service is the perfect choice for applicants who prefer managing the process themselves but seek a professional touch. We thoroughly examine your completed application, offering constructive feedback and expert advice to enhance its quality and compliance.

💡 Transparent and Tailored Pricing: We believe in clear and upfront pricing, allowing you to understand our fees from the outset. This approach helps you decide based on your specific needs and budget.

📘 Further Questions? Please visit our FAQ section for more details about the Health and Care Worker Visa, including the government fees and other related queries.

📞 Embark on Your Visa Application with Confidence: Our services are designed to match your requirements whether you require full support or expert review. Contact us to discuss how we can assist you in securing your Health and Care Worker Visa.

Immtell's Typical Professional Fees

Full Service

End to End Application Support
£ 1,600 + VAT
  • Eligibility assessment
  • CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) drafting and assigning
  • Advice on English language and TB test requirements (if applicable)
  • Application preparation and online submission
  • Appointment booking
  • Responding to queries from the Home Office
  • Review of issued documents
  • Post-arrival Biometric Residence Permit accuracy check
Best Value

Review Only

Expert Review of Your Application
£ 500 + VAT
  • Specialist review of your prepared application
  • Assess application against the relevant rules and legislations
  • Provide feedback and recommendations for improvement (if applicable)

Let Immtell Guide Your Journey to a Healthcare Career in the UK

Choosing a healthcare career in the UK can be a rewarding experience. The process of applying for a Health and Care Worker Visa, however, can be overwhelming. At Immtell, we understand the intricacies of the visa application process and are here to guide you every step of the way.

Our team of experienced immigration advisors will ensure your application is as strong as possible, increasing your chances of success. We’ll provide expert advice and guidance, helping you navigate the often complex terrain of UK immigration rules. Reach out to us today to start your journey towards a fulfilling healthcare career in the UK.

Embark on your healthcare journey in the UK today

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