Health and Care Worker Visa UK: The Complete 2026 Guide

The Health and Care Worker Visa waives the Immigration Health Surcharge entirely, saving applicants up to £6,104 per person compared with the standard Skilled Worker route. It also keeps the five-year route to settlement at a time when most other work visas are moving to ten years.

But the route changed significantly in July 2025. New overseas sponsorship for care workers and senior care workers closed, the English language requirement rose to B2, and the eligibility rules for dependants were tightened.

This guide covers every detail: eligible roles, salary thresholds, fees, English language requirements, the July 2025 changes, the path to settlement, and what employers need to know about sponsoring workers on this route.

Table of Contents

1. What Is the Health and Care Worker Visa?
2. Eligible Roles 2026
3. Salary Requirements
4. Fees and Full Cost Breakdown
5. How to Apply: Step by Step
6. English Language Requirements
7. Bringing Dependants
8. Care Worker Route Closure (July 2025)
9. Extending Your Visa
10. ILR: The 5-Year Settlement Path
11. Switching Employers
12. Employer Guide
13. By Profession
14. Salary: Worked Examples
15. Common Problems
16. FAQ

What Is the Health and Care Worker Visa?

The Health and Care Worker Visa is a sub-category of the Skilled Worker route for qualified doctors, nurses, and health and social care professionals taking an eligible role with a Home Office-approved UK employer.

It carries the same core requirements as the Skilled Worker visa, with two key differences that make it significantly cheaper and faster:

• No Immigration Health Surcharge. Applicants and their dependants pay zero IHS, saving thousands of pounds over a five-year visa.
• Reduced application fee. The fee is lower than the standard Skilled Worker rate.

The visa was introduced in August 2020 to help the NHS and care sector recruit from overseas during and after the pandemic. It remains open today, though the rules for care workers changed materially in July 2025.

Health and Care Worker Visa vs Skilled Worker Visa

Both visas sit under the same points-based framework and share the same sponsor, salary, and English language requirements. The Health and Care Worker Visa is the better option whenever the role qualifies, because the costs are substantially lower and the settlement path is faster.

Over a five-year period, the IHS saving alone is £5,175 per person. Add the lower application fees and the Health and Care Worker Visa typically costs £6,000 or more less than the equivalent Skilled Worker application before dependants are factored in.

Health and Care Worker Visa Eligible Roles 2026

The role must appear on the list of eligible Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes. The full list covers most clinical and health management roles, but the rules differ depending on whether an applicant is applying from overseas (initial application) or switching or extending from within the UK.

Roles eligible for initial applications (applying from outside the UK)

The following SOC codes are eligible for new overseas applications:

Care workers and senior care workers: extensions and switches only

SOC codes 6135 (care workers and home carers) and 6136 (senior care workers) closed to new overseas applications on 22 July 2025.

Workers already in the UK on a Health and Care Worker Visa in one of these roles can still extend or switch until 22 July 2028. After that date, both codes will be removed from the eligible list entirely.

Anyone currently working as a care worker or senior care worker in England must be employed by an employer registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Health and Care Worker Visa Salary Requirements

The minimum salary for the Health and Care Worker Visa is £25,000 per year, or the going rate for the role, whichever is higher.

Several competitor guides quote £29,000 as the minimum. That figure applies to the general Skilled Worker route. The Health and Care Worker Visa retains the lower £25,000 threshold because the route targets sectors where national pay scales, particularly NHS Agenda for Change bands, operate below the general Skilled Worker minimum.

Going rate rules

The going rate is the minimum salary set by the Home Office for each SOC code, based on the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). If the going rate for a role exceeds £25,000, the employer must pay at least the going rate.

For most NHS nursing and clinical roles, the going rate aligns closely with Agenda for Change band minima. A newly arrived registered nurse (SOC 2232–2237) typically enters at Band 5, which starts at £29,970 in 2025/26, so the going rate rather than the £25,000 floor sets the effective minimum.

Tradeable salary points

Applicants who would otherwise fall below the salary threshold can trade characteristics to reduce the minimum. The tradeable options include:

• A job in a shortage occupation (10% reduction)
• A relevant PhD (10% reduction, or 20% for STEM subjects)
• A new entrant under 26 or in their first job after study (20% reduction)

Tradeable reductions cannot bring the salary below £20,960 per year. Roles for which the going rate is set by a national pay scale, such as NHS Agenda for Change roles, cannot use the new entrant or shortage occupation discount against the going rate element of the threshold.

Unpaid overtime and hourly rate checks

Where a contract specifies contracted hours and unpaid overtime is common, the Home Office calculates the effective hourly rate using the contracted hours. Employers must ensure the annual salary divided by contracted hours meets the required hourly minimum. This catches situations where nominal annual salary exceeds £25,000 but the hourly rate falls below the threshold once overtime is excluded.

Health and Care Worker Visa Fees: The Full Cost Breakdown

The Health and Care Worker Visa is one of the most affordable long-term work visas available because it exempts all applicants from the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Application fees (confirmed by GOV.UK)

Immigration Health Surcharge: zero

The Health and Care Worker Visa exempts the main applicant and all dependants from the Immigration Health Surcharge. On a five-year visa, that saves £1,035 per person per year, or £5,175 over the full term. For a couple with one child, the IHS saving is £15,525.

NHS access starts from the day the visa begins. Applicants pay standard charges for prescriptions, dental, and eye tests in England, as these apply to all residents regardless of visa status.

Maintenance requirement

Applicants must have at least £1,270 in a bank account for 28 consecutive days, with day 28 falling within 31 days of submitting the application. Each dependant adds to this requirement: £285 for a partner and £315 for the first child (£200 for each additional child).

This requirement is waived if the applicant has held a valid UK visa for 12 or more months, or if the employer certifies maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship.

Other costs to budget for

• Tuberculosis test: Required for applicants from listed countries. Costs vary by country but typically £100–£200.
• Police certificate: Some countries require an overseas police certificate. This varies by country and typically costs £20–£50.
• Biometric enrolment: Required at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre or overseas visa application centre.
• English language test: Typically £150–£200 for an approved SELT provider if the applicant does not qualify for an exemption.

How to Apply for the Health and Care Worker Visa: Step by Step

The application process follows the same route as the standard Skilled Worker visa, with a few Health and Care-specific steps. Here is the full sequence:

1. Secure a job offer from an approved sponsor. The employer must hold an active sponsor licence with the Health and Care Worker Visa tier. Check the Home Office register of licensed sponsors to confirm the employer is listed.
2. Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The employer assigns a CoS through the Sponsor Management System (SMS). The CoS contains a reference number you will need to apply. Check it carefully: the job title, SOC code, salary, and start date must all be accurate.
3. Check your English language requirement. Confirm whether you need a Secure English Language Test (SELT) or qualify for an exemption. Doctors, nurses, midwives, and dentists regulated by UK professional bodies are typically exempt.
4. Gather your documents. You will need: current passport, CoS reference number, evidence of salary (if required), proof of English (if required), and evidence of maintenance funds (unless exempt).
5. Complete the online application. Apply at gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/apply. You will create a UKVI account, complete the form, pay the application fee, and upload supporting documents.
6. Book and attend a biometric appointment. After submitting your application, book an appointment at a UKVCAS centre (if applying from inside the UK) or a visa application centre (if applying from abroad) to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
7. Receive the decision. Most applications receive a decision within three weeks of providing biometrics. You can apply up to three months before your start date.

You can submit your application from within the UK (switching visas) or from abroad. Both routes follow the same steps. If applying from abroad, the biometric appointment takes place at a visa application centre in your country.

Documents checklist

• Valid passport or travel document
• Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
• Bank statements showing £1,270 for 28 consecutive days (unless employer certifies maintenance)
• Proof of English language (SELT result, degree certificate from English-language institution, or professional registration certificate)
• Tuberculosis test result (if from a listed country)
• Criminal record certificate (for roles working with vulnerable people)

English Language Requirements: What Changed in January 2026

The English language requirement for the Health and Care Worker Visa is CEFR Level B2 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

This is higher than the B1 level that previously applied. The increase took effect on 8 January 2026 for new applicants and for those switching from other visa routes.

Who the B1 rule still applies to

If you held a Health and Care Worker Visa before 8 January 2026 and are extending or updating it, the old B1 requirement still applies. The B2 requirement only affects:

• New overseas applicants applying for the first time
• In-country switchers moving onto the Health and Care Worker Visa from a different route

Exemptions from English language testing

Several categories of applicant are exempt from providing a Secure English Language Test result:

• Nationals of majority English-speaking countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and several others listed on GOV.UK.
• Degree-level qualifications taught in English. Applicants who completed a degree at a UK institution, or a degree from an overseas institution where the medium of instruction was English, can use their degree certificate and a confirmation letter instead of a SELT.
• UK regulated professionals. Doctors registered with the GMC, nurses and midwives registered with the NMC, and dentists registered with the GDC are exempt because their regulatory bodies already assess English language competence.

Approved SELT providers include IELTS SELT Consortium, LanguageCert, Pearson (PTE Academic UKVI), and Trinity College London. The test must be taken at an approved test centre and the certificate must be current (within two years for most tests).

Bringing Dependants on the Health and Care Worker Visa

Most Health and Care Worker Visa holders can bring their partner and dependent children to the UK. Dependants apply separately and pay their own visa fee. The IHS exemption extends to all dependants.

Dependants are not permitted for care workers and senior care workers

This is where many guides get it wrong. Workers sponsored in SOC code 6135 (care workers and home carers) or SOC code 6136 (senior care workers) cannot bring dependants unless one of the following applies:

• The main applicant held a visa before 11 March 2024 and the dependant was already in the UK as their dependant at that date
• The dependant is a child born in the UK while the main applicant held a valid visa

This restriction was introduced in March 2024 as part of the government's measures to reduce care worker migration. It remains in force and applies to all new in-country switch and extension applications for these two codes.

Dependant eligibility for all other Health and Care roles

For all other eligible SOC codes, the standard rules apply. Dependants must be:

• Your partner (married, civil partner, or unmarried partner with two years of cohabitation)
• Your child under 18 (or over 18 if they have already been given permission to stay as your dependant and are not leading an independent life)

Dependant partners have the right to work in the UK without restriction. Dependant children attend UK schools on the same basis as other residents.

The Care Worker Route Closure: What Changed in July 2025

On 22 July 2025, the Home Office closed the Health and Care Worker Visa to new overseas applications for care workers (SOC 6135) and senior care workers (SOC 6136).

This was the most significant change to the route since its launch. Here is what it means in practice:

What closed

Anyone outside the UK cannot apply for a new Health and Care Worker Visa to work as a care worker or senior care worker. Employers registered with the CQC cannot assign a Certificate of Sponsorship for these codes to new overseas recruits.

What remained open

The in-country switch route remained open. Workers already in the UK on another visa (including those who entered as care workers before July 2025) can still switch onto the Health and Care Worker Visa in codes 6135 or 6136 until 22 July 2028. After that date, both codes will be removed from the eligible list entirely.

Why it closed

The July 2025 statement of changes cited concerns about exploitation and abuse of care workers, including situations where workers arrived in the UK only to find no genuine employment. The government's stated aim was to reduce the scale of overseas care worker recruitment while preserving the route for existing workers to stabilise their status.

What employers need to do

Care providers who relied on overseas recruitment for care worker roles cannot sponsor new overseas workers on this route. They can still:

• Sponsor existing UK-based workers switching from other visa routes (until July 2028)
• Recruit care workers from the existing pool of workers already in the UK on a Health and Care Worker Visa
• Recruit UK nationals and settled workers without sponsorship requirements

The closure does not affect senior clinical roles. NHS trusts, hospitals, and care providers can still sponsor nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, social workers, and health managers from overseas under the same route.

Extending Your Health and Care Worker Visa

Health and Care Worker Visas can be extended as many times as needed, provided the holder continues to meet the eligibility requirements. There is no cap on the number of extensions.

When to apply for an extension

Apply before the current visa expires. You can apply up to three months before the expiry date. Applying in time preserves your right to remain in the UK while the application is pending under Section 3C leave, meaning the current visa's conditions continue to apply until a decision is reached.

What you need for an extension

• A valid Certificate of Sponsorship from your current employer (or a new employer if switching at the same time)
• Proof that the salary still meets the threshold
• English language evidence (at B1 level if you held the visa before 8 January 2026; at B2 level if you are switching roles or applying for the first time)
• Current passport and biometric information

Extending as a care worker (SOC 6135/6136)

Care workers and senior care workers in the UK on a Health and Care Worker Visa can still extend until 22 July 2028. After that date, extension applications in these codes will no longer be accepted. Workers in these roles who want to remain in the UK long term will need to move onto a different eligible occupation or a different visa route before the transitional window closes.

Health and Care Worker Visa to ILR: The 5-Year Settlement Path

One of the most significant advantages of the Health and Care Worker Visa in 2026 is the five-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

From April 2026, most Skilled Worker visa holders moved to a ten-year continuous residence route to ILR as part of the government's immigration reforms. Health and Care Worker Visa holders were retained on the five-year path.

ILR eligibility requirements

To apply for ILR after five years on the Health and Care Worker Visa, the holder must have:

• Spent five continuous years in the UK on a qualifying visa (which can include time on a related visa before switching to the Health and Care route)
• Not exceeded 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period
• Passed the Life in the UK test
• Met the English language requirement (B1 level for ILR)
• Met the salary requirement at the time of the ILR application

Absences from the UK

The 180-day rule applies to each 12-month period of the qualifying five years, not to the total time away. A single extended absence of 181+ days in one year will break continuity of residence. Short holidays, work trips, and family visits do not affect ILR eligibility as long as the 180-day limit is not breached in any rolling 12-month period.

ILR application cost

The ILR application fee is £3,226 per person. This is a one-off cost. Once ILR is granted, the holder has no further visa fees, no salary threshold to meet, and no restrictions on employment or self-employment. Dependants who have lived in the UK for five years on the same visa can apply for ILR at the same time.

From ILR to British citizenship

ILR holders can apply for British citizenship after one further year of continuous residence (giving a total of six years from first arrival). The British citizenship application requires passing the Life in the UK test (already done for ILR) and meeting the English language requirement at B1 level.

Switching Employers on the Health and Care Worker Visa

Health and Care Worker Visa holders can change employers at any point during the visa, but the new employer must assign a new Certificate of Sponsorship before the worker starts the new role.

The process works as follows:

1. The new employer confirms they hold an active sponsor licence for the Health and Care Worker Visa route.
2. The new employer assigns a CoS through the Sponsor Management System with details of the new role, salary, and start date.
3. The worker submits a change of employment application to the Home Office, paying the standard application fee.
4. The Home Office processes the application, typically within three weeks.
5. The worker must not start the new role until permission is granted, unless the new role falls under a permitted activity during the application period.

Working for two employers

Health and Care Worker Visa holders can take on additional work in certain circumstances:

• A second job in the same SOC code as the primary role, for up to 20 additional hours per week, is permitted without a separate application.
• A second job in a different eligible SOC code requires a separate Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker Visa for that role.
• Bank and agency shifts with NHS trusts or CQC-registered providers are generally permitted under the same SOC code rule, but workers should confirm with their primary sponsor before accepting.

Employer Guide: Sponsoring Workers on the Health and Care Worker Visa

Employing overseas workers on the Health and Care Worker Visa requires a valid sponsor licence. The type of licence depends on the sector:

NHS and NHS-commissioned providers

NHS trusts, NHS foundation trusts, and organisations providing NHS-funded services can apply for a sponsor licence under the Health and Care Worker Visa tier. The organisation must demonstrate it is genuine, operating lawfully, and capable of meeting sponsor duties.

Independent and private care providers

Independent hospitals, private GP practices, dental practices, and private social care providers can sponsor workers in most clinical codes. Care providers sponsoring workers in SOC 6135 or 6136 must hold a current CQC registration. Since July 2025, these providers can only assign CoS documents to workers already in the UK switching status, not to new overseas recruits in care worker or senior care worker roles.

Sponsor licence requirements

To hold a sponsor licence, an organisation must:

• Be a genuine UK-based business or organisation operating lawfully
• Have appropriate HR systems in place to monitor and report on sponsored workers
• Appoint a Level 1 user with responsibility for the Sponsor Management System
• Pass a Home Office compliance check if requested

Sponsor licence applications take approximately eight weeks. Current licence fees are published on the Home Office immigration and nationality fees page.

Certificate of Sponsorship duties

When assigning a CoS, the employer must confirm the role is genuine, the salary meets the threshold, and the SOC code is correct. Errors on the CoS, particularly the SOC code or salary figure, are a common reason for visa refusals and compliance failures. The Home Office can revoke a sponsor licence if it finds repeated errors or evidence that CoS documents were assigned inaccurately.

Ongoing sponsor duties

Sponsors must:

• Report to the Home Office within ten working days if a sponsored worker does not turn up for their first day, stops working, or has their contract changed materially
• Keep copies of right-to-work checks, contract terms, and payslips for each sponsored worker
• Cooperate with Home Office compliance visits

The Home Office conducts both announced and unannounced compliance visits. A-rated status is required to assign CoS documents. Sponsors rated B due to compliance failures cannot assign new CoS documents until they pass an action plan set by the Home Office.

Employers looking to advertise roles for sponsored workers can register as an employer on SponsoredJobs to reach candidates already searching for Health and Care Worker Visa roles.

Health and Care Worker Visa by Profession

The route covers dozens of occupations, but the practical details vary by profession. Here is what the Health and Care Worker Visa means for the most common roles.

Nurses

Registered nurses are among the most common Health and Care Worker Visa applicants. All registered nursing SOC codes (2231–2237) are eligible for initial applications, and NHS trusts routinely sponsor international nurses under this route.

The English language requirement for nurses is typically satisfied through the Occupational English Test (OET) or IELTS Academic, which the Nursing and Midwifery Council accepts as proof of language competence for NMC registration. Nurses with a current NMC registration are exempt from providing a separate SELT for visa purposes.

The minimum salary of £25,000 rarely sets the floor in practice. NHS Band 5, the entry grade for newly qualified nurses, starts at £29,970 in 2025/26. NHS Band 6 starts at £37,338. Both exceed the visa threshold by a significant margin.

Nurses planning to join the NHS should note that the NMC registration process, including the Computer Based Test and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), typically takes three to six months. The Certificate of Sponsorship is usually assigned after NMC registration is confirmed, so start the registration process before applying for a visa.

View current nursing and healthcare jobs with visa sponsorship on SponsoredJobs.

Doctors

Generalist and specialist medical practitioners (SOC 2211 and 2212) qualify under the Health and Care Worker Visa. International medical graduates must register with the General Medical Council (GMC) before taking up a substantive NHS post.

GMC registration requires passing the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test, or an alternative recognition route for those with approved overseas qualifications. Doctors with GMC registration are exempt from providing a separate English language test for visa purposes.

NHS foundation trusts and teaching hospitals routinely sponsor doctors at all grades from Foundation Year 1 through to consultant level. Independent hospitals and private practice groups can also apply for a sponsor licence and sponsor doctors in eligible roles.

Social workers

Social workers (SOC 2461) qualify under the Health and Care Worker Visa route. Social workers in England must register with Social Work England before practising. Registration requires demonstrating qualification, English language competence, and meeting the professional standards set by Social Work England.

The going rate for social workers typically falls between £34,000 and £42,000 in local authority roles, which exceeds the £25,000 floor. Independent and voluntary sector employers may offer salaries closer to the threshold.

Browse social care and social work jobs with visa sponsorship on SponsoredJobs.

Allied health professionals

Physiotherapists (SOC 2221), occupational therapists (SOC 2222), speech and language therapists (SOC 2223), and other allied health professionals (SOC 2229) all qualify. These roles require registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before working in the UK.

HCPC registration requires submitting qualifications, evidence of English language competence, and a character reference. Applicants with HCPC registration are not automatically exempt from the English language requirement for visa purposes — the exemption applies specifically to NMC-registered nurses and midwives, and GMC-registered doctors and dentists. Other HCPC-regulated professionals must still demonstrate English language competence for the visa, either through a SELT or through a degree taught in English.

Paramedics

Paramedics (SOC 2255) qualify for the Health and Care Worker Visa. UK paramedics register with the HCPC. NHS ambulance trusts are the primary sponsors of paramedics under this route. The role requires passing the HCPC registration process, which includes demonstrating English language competence and UK-equivalent qualifications.

Pharmacists and dental practitioners

Pharmacists (SOC 2251) must register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Dental practitioners (SOC 2253) must register with the General Dental Council (GDC). Both regulatory bodies conduct their own English language assessments, and registration typically constitutes sufficient proof of language competence for visa purposes.

Health and Care Worker Visa Salary: Worked Examples

The interaction between the £25,000 minimum, the going rate, and NHS national pay scales can be confusing. These worked examples show how the salary requirement applies in practice.

Example 1: Registered community nurse, Band 5

A registered community nurse (SOC 2232) joining an NHS trust at Band 5 earns £29,970 in 2025/26. The going rate for SOC 2232 is derived from the ASHE survey for that code. Because the NHS Band 5 salary exceeds both the £25,000 floor and the going rate, the salary requirement is met. The employer assigns a CoS at the contracted Band 5 salary.

Example 2: Social worker, new to UK practice

A social worker (SOC 2461) taking a local authority role at £34,500 meets the £25,000 floor. The employer must confirm the salary also meets or exceeds the going rate for SOC 2461 at the time the CoS is assigned. Provided both conditions are satisfied, the salary requirement is met.

Example 3: Physiotherapist in a private clinic

A physiotherapist (SOC 2221) taking a role at a private practice at £27,000 per year. This exceeds the £25,000 floor. The employer checks the going rate for SOC 2221, which currently sits above £27,000. Because the offered salary is below the going rate, the employer must increase the offer to at least the going rate before assigning a CoS, or the application will be refused.

Example 4: Care worker (existing worker seeking extension)

A care worker (SOC 6135) already in the UK on a Health and Care Worker Visa seeks an extension. The employer confirms the salary meets both the £25,000 minimum and the going rate for SOC 6135. Because this is an extension rather than a new overseas application, the in-country transitional route applies and the extension is valid until 22 July 2028.

Common Health and Care Worker Visa Problems

The role does not appear on the eligible SOC code list

If a role is not on the Health and Care Worker Visa eligible list, the worker must apply for a standard Skilled Worker visa instead. Many support and ancillary healthcare roles, such as healthcare assistants, cleaners, and porters, do not qualify for either route at the required RQF level. Check the current SOC code before assigning a CoS.

The salary is below the going rate

The most common refusal reason is a salary that meets the £25,000 floor but falls below the going rate for the specific SOC code. The going rate changes each year following the ASHE survey. Employers must check the current going rate at the time they assign the CoS, not the rate that applied when the worker was recruited.

The English language certificate has expired

Approved SELT results are valid for two years from the test date. Applications submitted with an expired certificate are refused. If the original test certificate is approaching expiry when the visa application is submitted, the applicant should retake the test before applying.

The CoS contains an error

Errors on the Certificate of Sponsorship, including wrong SOC codes, incorrect start dates, or salary figures that do not match the employment contract, result in refusals and require the employer to assign a new CoS. Sponsors are charged for each CoS assigned, so it pays to check carefully before submission.

Maintenance funds not held for long enough

The £1,270 must be present in the bank account for 28 consecutive days, with day 28 falling no more than 31 days before the application is submitted. Applicants who move funds out of the account during the 28-day window, or who submit the application more than 31 days after day 28, do not meet the maintenance requirement.

Health and Care Worker Visa FAQ

What is the minimum salary for the Health and Care Worker Visa in 2026?

The minimum salary is £25,000 per year, or the going rate for the specific SOC code if that figure is higher. The going rate for most registered nursing roles exceeds £25,000 because NHS Agenda for Change Band 5, the entry level for registered nurses, starts at £29,970 in 2025/26.

Do Health and Care Worker Visa holders pay the Immigration Health Surcharge?

No. The Health and Care Worker Visa is fully exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge for both the main applicant and all dependants. This saves £1,035 per person per year, or £5,175 over a five-year visa.

Can a care worker still apply for the Health and Care Worker Visa?

New overseas applications for care workers (SOC 6135) and senior care workers (SOC 6136) closed on 22 July 2025. Workers already in the UK on a Health and Care Worker Visa in these codes can extend or switch until 22 July 2028. After that date, the codes will be removed from the eligible list.

What English language level is required?

B2 on the CEFR scale for new applications and in-country switches from 8 January 2026. Workers who held the visa before 8 January 2026 and are extending can still satisfy the requirement at B1 level.

Can a Health and Care Worker Visa holder bring their family to the UK?

Most Health and Care Worker Visa holders can bring a partner and dependent children. Workers sponsored in SOC codes 6135 and 6136 cannot bring dependants unless they held the visa before 11 March 2024 and the dependant was already in the UK at that date, or the child was born in the UK.

How long does the Health and Care Worker Visa application take?

Most applications receive a decision within three weeks of the applicant submitting biometric information. Priority processing is available for an additional fee and typically results in a decision within five working days.

Does time on the Health and Care Worker Visa count towards ILR?

Yes. Time spent on the Health and Care Worker Visa counts in full towards the five-year continuous residence requirement for ILR. Time on a related Skilled Worker visa or a previous Health and Care Worker Visa also counts, provided there are no qualifying gaps.

Can a Health and Care Worker Visa holder work for more than one employer?

Yes. The main employer must assign the CoS. The holder can also work up to 20 additional hours per week in the same SOC code without a separate application. Taking a second job in a different eligible SOC code requires a separate visa application for that role.

What happens if a Health and Care Worker Visa holder is made redundant?

The visa does not expire immediately on redundancy. The holder has 60 days to find a new sponsored role or make arrangements to leave the UK. The sponsor must report the end of employment to the Home Office within ten working days of the worker's last day.

Can a GP practice sponsor a worker on the Health and Care Worker Visa?

Yes. GP practices, including those contracted to provide NHS services, can apply for a sponsor licence and assign CoS documents for eligible clinical roles. The practice must meet the standard sponsor licence requirements and hold a genuine clinical need for the role.

What is the difference between the Health and Care Worker Visa and the Skilled Worker Visa?

Both visas sit under the same points-based framework and share the same eligibility structure. The Health and Care Worker Visa applies to roles in specific health and social care SOC codes, carries a lower application fee, exempts holders from the Immigration Health Surcharge, and retains the five-year route to ILR. The Skilled Worker Visa applies to all other eligible occupations and requires IHS payments and, from April 2026, a ten-year continuous residence period before ILR. If a role qualifies for the Health and Care Worker Visa, it is always the better choice on cost.

Can someone switch from the Skilled Worker Visa to the Health and Care Worker Visa?

Yes. Workers already in the UK on a Skilled Worker Visa can switch to the Health and Care Worker Visa if they have a job offer in an eligible SOC code from an approved sponsor. The application follows the same process as a new application. The time spent on the Skilled Worker Visa counts towards the five-year ILR requirement.

Does the Health and Care Worker Visa lead to British citizenship?

Indirectly, yes. After five years on the route, the holder can apply for ILR (indefinite leave to remain). After a further year with ILR, they can apply for British citizenship, giving a total minimum path of six years from first entry to eligibility for naturalisation. The citizenship application requires passing the Life in the UK test and meeting the B1 English language requirement.

Are NHS bank and agency workers eligible for the Health and Care Worker Visa?

The visa requires a substantive job offer from a licensed sponsor. Pure bank or agency-only arrangements, where there is no guaranteed minimum hours contract with a single sponsor, do not meet the requirement. Workers can take bank shifts in addition to their main sponsored role (up to 20 hours per week in the same SOC code) once they hold a valid visa.

Find Health and Care Worker Visa Jobs

SponsoredJobs lists UK jobs from employers on the Home Office register of licensed sponsors. Every listing is cross-checked against an active sponsor licence, an eligible SOC code, and the current salary threshold before appearing on the site.

Browse verified Health and Care Worker Visa jobs