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Health and Care Worker Visa

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

2–3 weeks

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

£324–£628 GBP

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

5 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary£31,200

Quality of Life

176/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Fast-track skilled worker visa for qualifying health and care professionals with reduced fees.

The Health and Care Worker visa is a UK fast-track Skilled Worker sub-route for doctors, nurses, midwives, and qualifying health and social care professionals. Applicants need a certificate of sponsorship from an NHS trust or licensed care employer, English at B2 CEFR, and a salary meeting the going rate for their role.

Fees are £324 (up to 3 years) or £628 (over 3 years), and holders and dependants are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. The visa lasts up to 5 years, is renewable, and leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 continuous years. Dependants may join and work without occupation restrictions.

This visa is ideal for doctors, nurses, and qualifying health or care professionals with a UK job offer seeking a lower-cost route to long-term work and settlement.

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Cost Breakdown

Application fee (up to 3 years)£324 GBP

Application fee (more than 3 years)£628 GBP

Immigration Health Surcharge£0 GBP

Total£324–£628 GBP

Processing Time

Outside UK (standard)	2–3 weeks
Inside UK (extension/switch)	2–3 weeks

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

5 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United Kingdom

Skilled Worker Visa

Validity5 years per grant (renewable indefinitely)

Processing5 days – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Spouse/Partner Visa

Validity33 months

Processing2 months – 1 year

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Job offer from a UK licensed sponsor in a qualifying health or care occupation

Qualifying occupation code (e.g. nurse, doctor, health professional)

Meet salary threshold for the role (or going rate, whichever is higher)

English language requirement (B2 CEFR or equivalent)

Tuberculosis test results if from a designated country

Sufficient personal savings (£1,270 held for 28 consecutive days) unless exempt

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Min. Income

25,000 EUR/yr

Min. Savings

1,270 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or travel document

Certificate of sponsorship reference number

Proof of English language proficiency

Bank statements showing £1,270 in savings held for 28 days (unless exempt)

TB test certificate (if applicable)

Certified translations of non-English documents

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Significantly reduced application fee compared to standard Skilled Worker visa
Exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge (saves £1,035+/year)
Dependants also exempt from IHS
Pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years
Qualifying occupations include a wide range of NHS and social care roles

Worth Knowing

Must work only for your sponsoring employer (can do additional work in same occupation/level up to 20 hrs/week)
Employer must hold a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence
Salary must meet going rate for the occupation code — some roles have specific NHS pay bands
Senior care workers must be employed by a registered care provider and earn at least £23,200/year
New care workers and senior care workers are no longer qualifying to apply from overseas (since July 2025)

Application Process

Obtain a certificate of sponsorship reference number from your employer

Apply online via the UK Visas and Immigration portal

Pay the application fee (IHS is waived)

Provide biometrics at a visa application centre or via UK Immigration ID Check app

Await decision

Verified Claims (25)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps

Obtain a certificate of sponsorship reference number from your employer; Apply online via the UK Vis…

gov.uk

Blockers

New care workers and senior care workers are no longer eligible to apply from overseas (since July 2…

gov.uk

Blockers · 1

Care workers and senior care workers (SOC 6135/6136) cannot sponsor dependants or bring partners/chi…

gov.uk

Dependent Visa

Dependents allowed

gov.uk

Fee Breakdown

Application fee (up to 3 years): 324 GBP; Application fee (more than 3 years): 628 GBP; Immigration …

gov.uk

Fees

£324 (up to 3 years) or £628 (more than 3 years); immigration health surcharge exempt

gov.uk

Forms

—

gov.uk

Included Nationalities

—

gov.uk

Apply Now Official Information

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary£31,200

Quality of Life

176/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

Fast-track skilled worker visa for qualifying health and care professionals with reduced fees.

This visa is ideal for doctors, nurses, and qualifying health or care professionals with a UK job offer seeking a lower-cost route to long-term work and settlement.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Job offer from a UK licensed sponsor in a qualifying health or care occupation

Qualifying occupation code (e.g. nurse, doctor, health professional)

Meet salary threshold for the role (or going rate, whichever is higher)

English language requirement (B2 CEFR or equivalent)

Tuberculosis test results if from a designated country

Sufficient personal savings (£1,270 held for 28 consecutive days) unless exempt

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Min. Income

25,000 EUR/yr

Min. Savings

1,270 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or travel document

Certificate of sponsorship reference number

Proof of English language proficiency

Bank statements showing £1,270 in savings held for 28 days (unless exempt)

TB test certificate (if applicable)

Certified translations of non-English documents

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Significantly reduced application fee compared to standard Skilled Worker visa
Exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge (saves £1,035+/year)
Dependants also exempt from IHS
Pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years
Qualifying occupations include a wide range of NHS and social care roles

Worth Knowing

Must work only for your sponsoring employer (can do additional work in same occupation/level up to 20 hrs/week)
Employer must hold a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence
Salary must meet going rate for the occupation code — some roles have specific NHS pay bands
Senior care workers must be employed by a registered care provider and earn at least £23,200/year
New care workers and senior care workers are no longer qualifying to apply from overseas (since July 2025)