Table of Contents
Eligibility Requirements for Health and Care Worker Visa.
To be eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must:
Eligible Professions for Health and Care Worker Visa.
The list of eligible professions is subject to change but currently includes:
Salary Threshold Requirement for Health and Care Worker Visa.
How Long Can You Stay on Health and Care Worker Visa?
Supporting Documents for Health and Care Worker Visa.
Dependents of Health and Care Worker Visa Holders.
Health and Care Worker Visa Fees.
Health and Care visa applications made outside the UK:
Application Fees for Health and Care Visa Applications Made Within the UK.
Health and Care Worker Visa
If you are a medical professional looking to come to or remain in the UK to work with the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care, you may be eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa. This visa is designed to encourage healthcare professionals from around the world to come to work in the UK health sector. Our team of solicitors at Primus Solicitors can help you with your application to ensure that you meet all the requirements for a Health and Care Worker visa, without any negative outcomes.
Eligibility Requirements for Health and Care Worker Visa
To be eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must:
- Be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional, or adult social care professional.
- Work in an eligible health or social care job
- Have a UK employer approved by the Home Office?
- Have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role offered in the UK.
- Be paid a minimum salary (the amount depends on the type of work)
In addition to these requirements, you must also meet all the other eligibility requirements. Our experienced immigration solicitors based in Manchester can provide you with a free initial assessment to determine your eligibility and to discuss your options.
Eligible Professions for Health and Care Worker Visa
The Health and Care Worker visa is open to individuals applying under the skilled worker route for entry clearance or leaves to remain who will be taking up a job offer in one of the occupations specified within a prescribed list of Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes.
The list of eligible professions is subject to change but currently includes:
- Health services and public health managers and directors
- Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
- Biological scientists and biochemists
- Physical scientists
- Medical practitioners
- Psychologists
- Pharmacists
- Ophthalmic opticians
- Dental practitioners
- Medical radiographers
- Podiatrists
- Health professionals not elsewhere classified, such as audiologists and occupational health advisers.
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech and language therapists
- Therapy professionals not elsewhere classified, such as osteopaths and psychotherapists.
- Nurses
- Midwives
- Social workers
- Laboratory technicians
- Paramedics
- Dispensing opticians
- Pharmaceutical technicians
- Medical and dental technicians
- Health associate professionals not elsewhere classified, such as dieticians and medical illustrators.
- Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
- Dental nurses
- Senior care workers
- English Requirement for Health and Care Worker Visa
To be eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. You will usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply.
Salary Threshold Requirement for Health and Care Worker Visa
Employers seeking to recruit under the Health and Care Worker route must pay their Health and Care Workers a salary of at least £20,480 per year unless the ‘going rate’ for the job is higher than this. Each occupation code has its own annual ‘going rate.’ There is a separate system for those working as biochemists or as biological or physical scientists which usually requires a minimum salary of £25,600 per year unless the ‘going rate’ for your job is higher than this.
You may be paid less than the ‘going rate’ in some circumstances, such as if your job is on a shortage occupation list, or you are under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training towards a recognized UK qualification or registered status.
How Long Can You Stay on Health and Care Worker Visa
As a health and care worker, you may be wondering how long you can stay in the UK with your visa. Here’s what you need to know.
Visa Duration
Your Health and Care Worker Visa can last for up to five years before requiring an extension. If you change jobs or employers, or when your visa expires, you will need to apply to update or extend it. You can apply to extend your visa as many times as necessary, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
Settlement
After five years, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, which grants you the right to live, work, study, and apply for benefits in the UK for as long as you want.
Supporting Documents for Health and Care Worker Visa
To apply for a Health and Care Worker Visa, you’ll need to submit various supporting documents, including:
- Bank statements or a letter showing you have sufficient personal savings (unless your CoS shows that your A-rated sponsor can support you)
- Proof of English language proficiency
- A valid passport or travel document
- Expired passports or travel documents to show your travel history.
- Tuberculosis test results (if applicable)
- A criminal record certificate.
- If you are a doctor, dentist, nurse, or midwife, your professional body’s assessment of your language ability will serve as proof of your proficiency.
Dependents of Health and Care Worker Visa Holders
If you have immediate family members, they may accompany or join you in the UK. This includes your spouse or partner and any dependent children. If your dependents are already in the UK, your UK sponsor will need to provide written confirmation of their eligibility to join you based on your occupation.
Health and Care Worker Visa Fees
The Health and Care Worker Visa has a reduced application fee compared to other skilled worker visas. The fees are the same for applicants and dependents, and they apply to those who qualify under this visa. Health and Care Visa Application Fee.
If you’re planning to apply for a Health and Care Visa, it’s important to know the application fees for both applications made within the UK and outside the UK.
Health and Care visa applications made outside the UK:
- Under three years and over three years: £232
- Shortage Occupation category under three years: £232
- Shortage Occupation category over three years: £464
Application Fees for Health and Care Visa Applications Made Within the UK
- Under 3 years and over 3 years: £232
- Shortage Occupation category under 3 years: £232
- Shortage Occupation category over 3 years: £464
It’s worth noting that the reduced visa fees also apply to dependents. Additionally, applicants and dependants who are eligible to apply under this visa are exempt from having to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Primus Solicitors can assist you in preparing and submitting your Health and Care Visa application, ensuring that you understand all the necessary fees and requirements. Contact our offices for a for free initial; assessment with one of our experienced immigration solicitors.
Get in Touch with Us
Hire our specialist immigration lawyer to help you through this process and ensure a successful outcome for your health and care Visa application. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you with your immigration matter.
