Health and Care Worker Visa
Embassy required
- Processing time
- 3 weeks
- Fee
- £284 to £551
- Validity
- Based on job contract
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Reduced fee for healthcare workers. Exempt from Immigration Health Surcharge. Sponsor must be NHS, NHS supplier, or CQC-regulated care provider. Care worker route closed from July 2025 except narrow transitional provisions.
Eligibility
-
Employment
Job offer in eligible health/care occupation from approved sponsor
Required status: Sponsored healthcare/social care role
-
Financial
Minimum salary £25,000 or £12.82/hour for national pay scale roles
Minimum funds: £25,000 annual salary
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 0
-
Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Bank statements for 28 consecutive days; Minimum amount: £1,270
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Health and Care Worker Visa Application; Form url: https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa
-
Language proficiency
Accepted tests: IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI, or other approved SELT; Minimum score: B1 CEFR (A2 for some roles)
-
Professional license
Accepted licenses: Registration with relevant UK professional body (GMC, NMC, HCPC, etc.); Must be translated: Yes
-
Sponsorship certificate
Certificate name: Certificate of Sponsorship; Sponsor type: NHS body, NHS supplier, or CQC-regulated organization
-
Tuberculosis test
Test type: TB test from approved clinic if applicable; Validity months: 6
-
Criminal record certificate
Provide a police or criminal record certificate from the country or countries requested by the destination authority.
Issuing authority: Issuing authority; Validity months: 12
How to apply
-
Online application
Apply online with Certificate of Sponsorship
-
Fee payment
Pay reduced visa fee (£284 for up to 3 years, £551 for more than 3 years). IHS exempt.
-
Biometrics
Provide biometric information
-
Processing wait
Wait for decision