The UK Health and Care Worker Visa
Introduction
The Health and Care Worker visa is a UK work visa that allows eligible healthcare professionals to live and work in the United Kingdom for approved employers. It is a specialised route within the Skilled Worker visa system and is designed to help the UK recruit qualified professionals to work in health services where there are staff shortages. The visa offers several advantages compared with the standard Skilled Worker visa, including reduced application fees and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). In 2026, the visa remains available for many healthcare professions, although significant changes introduced in 2025 affected eligibility for some social care roles.
Purpose of the Visa
The Health and Care Worker visa was introduced to support the UK’s health and care sector by making it easier for employers to recruit skilled workers from overseas. The visa is intended for professionals employed by the NHS, organisations providing services to the NHS, or approved organisations delivering adult social care. It helps address workforce shortages while ensuring that workers have legal permission to live and work in the UK.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for a Health and Care Worker visa in 2026, applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a genuine job offer from a UK employer licensed by the Home Office.
- Receive a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
- Be employed in an eligible health or healthcare occupation.
- Meet the required salary threshold or the “going rate” for their occupation.
- Meet the English language requirement.
- Have sufficient funds if their employer is not certifying financial maintenance.
- Meet the suitability requirements under UK immigration law.
Eligible Employers
Applicants must work for an employer approved by the Home Office. Eligible employers include:
- NHS trusts.
- NHS suppliers.
- Private healthcare providers delivering qualifying services.
- Certain regulated adult social care providers.
Employers must hold a valid sponsor licence before issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Eligible Occupations
The visa covers many healthcare professions, including:
- Doctors.
- Nurses.
- Midwives.
- Pharmacists.
- Physiotherapists.
- Radiographers.
- Occupational therapists.
- Speech and language therapists.
- Healthcare scientists.
- Healthcare support workers (where eligible under current rules).
From July 2025, new overseas applications for care worker and senior care worker roles were closed. However, transitional arrangements allow some workers already in the UK to switch or extend their visas until at least July 2028.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Every applicant must have a Certificate of Sponsorship issued electronically by their employer. The certificate includes:
- The applicant’s personal details.
- Job title.
- Salary.
- Occupation code.
- Employer details.
- Sponsorship reference number.
The Certificate of Sponsorship is required when submitting the visa application.
Salary Requirements
Applicants must normally be paid at least the minimum salary required for their occupation. In 2026, many Health and Care Worker visa applicants must receive at least £25,000 per year, or the occupation’s going rate if higher. Some NHS pay scales automatically meet these requirements after the 2026 pay award.
English Language Requirement
Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of English. This can usually be shown by:
- Passing an approved English language test.
- Holding a degree taught in English.
- Being a national of a majority English-speaking country.
- Meeting another accepted Home Office exemption.
The required level depends on the immigration rules in force for the application.
Visa Application Process
The application normally involves the following steps:
- Receive a job offer.
- Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Prepare supporting documents.
- Complete the online visa application.
- Pay the application fee.
- Provide biometric information if required.
- Wait for a decision.
Many applications are processed within a few weeks, although processing times can vary.
Required Documents
Applicants generally need:
- Valid passport.
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.
- Proof of English language ability.
- Evidence of personal savings if required.
- Criminal record certificate for some occupations.
- Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate if applying from a country where required.
Additional documents may be requested depending on individual circumstances.
Visa Fees
One advantage of the Health and Care Worker visa is its reduced application fee compared with the standard Skilled Worker visa. Applicants are also exempt from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge, making the route considerably less expensive for eligible healthcare professionals.
Rights of Visa Holders
People with a Health and Care Worker visa can:
- Live and work in the UK.
- Study while working.
- Travel abroad and return to the UK.
- Bring eligible family members if they qualify under current immigration rules.
- Apply for an extension if eligible.
- Apply for settlement if they meet the relevant requirements.
However, visa holders cannot usually claim most public funds.
Family Members
Some visa holders may bring their husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner, or children as dependants if they meet the immigration rules. However, restrictions introduced in 2024 continue to affect many care workers and senior care workers, limiting when dependants may accompany them.
Extending the Visa
Visa holders may apply to extend their permission to stay if they continue to meet the requirements and remain employed in an eligible sponsored role. A new Certificate of Sponsorship is generally required for an extension.
Settlement
Many Health and Care Worker visa holders may eventually become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if they satisfy the immigration rules in force at the time of application. In 2026, proposals affecting settlement rules for some migrants, particularly care workers, remain under discussion and some transitional arrangements are being considered.
Changes Introduced in 2025–2026
Important changes include:
- New overseas recruitment for care workers and senior care workers ended in July 2025.
- Some workers already in the UK can continue switching or extending under transitional arrangements until at least July 2028.
- Salary and sponsorship rules have been updated for certain occupations.
- Healthcare professions such as doctors, nurses and many allied health professionals remain eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa.
Conclusion
The Health and Care Worker visa continues to play an important role in helping the UK recruit qualified healthcare professionals in 2026. It offers lower fees, exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge, and a route for eligible workers to contribute to the UK’s healthcare system. Although the visa remains available for many medical and healthcare professions, significant changes have affected overseas recruitment for social care workers. Anyone considering applying should ensure they meet the latest Home Office requirements and confirm that their employer is an approved sponsor before submitting an application.
Information taken from chat gpt July 2026
