The UK Health and Care Visa, which is officially recognized, enables healthcare professionals and care workers to work in the United Kingdom in a variety of positions within the health and care sector’s Shortage Occupation List (SOL). The SOL was expanded in December 2021 to encompass care employment, thereby enabling carers to apply for the visa starting on February 15, 2022.
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What is the Purpose of Visa?
The visa was initially introduced in 2020 as a replacement for the Skill Worker visa / Tier 2 General visa. It was subsequently expanded to include care workers as of February 15, 2022. The care worker visa is intended to expedite the recruitment of critical personnel for the healthcare sector in order to address persistent workforce shortages. The UK Government’s decision to implement this visa was a result of the exacerbated manpower scarcity that occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent to the UK’s departure from the European Union (Brexit).
Can I Bring My Family With Me?
If the visa holder desires, their dependents (spouse and children under the age of 18) may accompany them to the United Kingdom. After five years, the visa may result in indefinite leave to remain in the UK or settlement. After one year of settlement, settled migrants may petition for naturalization in order to become British citizens.
What Types of Jobs Are Eligible for the Visa?
The Health and Care Worker visa for Carers is eligible for the following Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Codes:
- 6141: Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
- 6145: Care workers and home carers
- 6146: Senior care workers
Other healthcare-related jobs for professionals and managers include:
- 1181: Health services and public health managers and directors
- 1242: Residential, day, and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
- 2112: Biological scientists and biochemists
- 2113: Physical scientists
- 2211: Medical practitioners
- 2212: Psychologists
- 2213: Pharmacists
- 2214: Ophthalmic opticians
- 2215: Dental practitioners
- 2217: Medical radiographers
- 2218: Podiatrists
- 2219: Health professionals not elsewhere classified (e.g., audiologists, occupational health advisers)
- 2221: Physiotherapists
- 2222: Occupational therapists
- 2223: Speech and language therapists
- 2229: Therapy professionals not elsewhere classified (e.g., osteopaths, psychotherapists)
- 2231: Nurses
- 2232: Midwives
- 2442: Social workers
- 3111: Laboratory technicians
- 3213: Paramedics
- 3216: Dispensing opticians
- 3217: Pharmaceutical technicians
- 3218: Medical and dental technicians
- 3219: Health associate professionals not elsewhere classified
- 6143: Dental nurses
How Do I Apply for UK Care Worker Visa?
You must first obtain an employment offer in an eligible care position specified in the shortage occupation list in order to apply for the UK Health and Care Visa as a carer. The annual remuneration of £20,480 must be met by the job offer.
Secondly, your employer is required to register for and obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS), which is also referred to as a work permit, on your behalf. In order to finalize your visa application, you must submit these two documents and additional supporting materials.
Who Can Apply for a UK Care Worker Visa?
Applicants of all ages, genders, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and religions are eligible to apply for the UK Care Visa program, provided that they can demonstrate to the employer sponsoring the position that they are capable of fulfilling the necessary responsibilities.
In summary, individuals from any nation who are interested in working as a carer in the United Kingdom are eligible to file for both the job and the visa.
You are not required to be a healthcare professional in order to apply for this position.
What Are Care Jobs?
The provision of personal and supportive care services to the elderly, patients, and vulnerable individuals is a component of care employment. The following job titles are included in this category: Care Assistant, Care Worker, Carer, Home Care Assistant, Home Carer, and Support Worker. Positions such as Auxiliary Nurse, Nursing Assistant, and Health Care Assistant are also included in hospital contexts.
How Do I Get a UK Care Job Offer?
Directly applying to recruiting organizations that provide sponsorship for foreign workers is the most effective method of obtaining an employment offer in the UK care sector. The UK Government (Home Office) has granted approval to these organizations to recruit and sponsor non-UK/Irish citizens or permanent residents.
You may conduct an online search for the vacancies that sponsoring organizations publish on a variety of platforms in order to identify job openings. The following are some of the most prominent employment sites for care jobs in the United Kingdom:
- Socialcare.co.uk
- Communitycare.co.uk
- Carehome.co.uk
- Apps.trac.jobs
- www.careuk247.co.uk
- Indeed.co.uk
Additionally, it is possible to locate additional opportunities by conducting a Google search for “UK care worker jobs with visa sponsorship.”
What Do I Need to Get a UK Care Job?
In general, there is no formal qualification necessary to register for a UK Care visa or secure a care job. Upon commencing employment, the majority of employers will offer on-the-job training. Nevertheless, it is highly recommended that you enroll in caregiving training in order to enhance your competitiveness and substantially increase your likelihood of obtaining employment. It is understandable that individuals with prior training and pertinent work experience will be given preference.
There are numerous organizations that provide care training programs, which are frequently accompanied by work placements in hospitals, domiciliary care, and care homes. Additionally, these programs offer internships that can provide you with valuable experience. Furthermore, you may improve your proficiency by enrolling in online training courses.
In addition to training, you can acquire experience by assuming paid or unpaid positions (volunteer roles) as a caregiver in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, adult day care centers, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, care homes, or learning disability centers. Additionally, valuable experience can be gained by providing care for elderly family members or individuals with debilitating health conditions or disabilities.
What Do I Need to Apply for a UK Care Job?
If you are contemplating a move to the United Kingdom as a caregiver, you may be required to submit your CV, a supporting statement, or a cover letter in addition to completing a standard application form.
Requirements:
- A letter of employment from an approved sponsor that specifies your annual salary and job title.
- The occupation code of the position.
- The unique reference number provided by your employer, which is the certificate of sponsorship.
- Evidence of your proficiency in English may include a degree that is taught in English and is equivalent to a UK degree or an IELTS score at an appropriate CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0).
- A passport that is currently valid.
- Evidence of adequate personal reserves to sustain oneself in the United Kingdom, such as bank statements (unless the certificate of sponsorship indicates that the employer is capable of providing support).
- Proof of your relationship with your partner or offspring, if they are also applying.
- Results of a tuberculosis test if you are a resident of a country that is enumerated.
- A police report (criminal record certificate).
Benefits of Job:
- Pathway to Legal Employment in the UK: The UK Care Worker Visa enables foreign nationals to reside and work legally in the United Kingdom as a worker in the health and care sector.
- Job Security and High Demand: The United Kingdom’s care workers are in high demand due to the growing aging population and the increased healthcare requirements. This ensures job stability and long-term employment.
- Sponsorship Eligibility for UK Employers: By allowing approved care providers to sponsor overseas candidates, foreign applicants are able to more easily secure employment and work legally under a Tier 2 (Health and Care) visa.
- Fast-Track Application Process: The Health and Care Worker visa is prioritized with shorter processing times, enabling applicants to commence their employment and establish themselves in the UK more rapidly than traditional visa routes.
- Exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge: Care worker visa holders are exempt from the costly immigration health surcharge, which renders the visa more cost-effective and affordable.
- Opportunity to Accompany Dependents: Visa holders are permitted to transport their spouse/partner and children to the United Kingdom, which facilitates family reunification and stability.
- Pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): Care workers may be eligible for permanent residency in the UK after five consecutive years on the visa, which provides long-term settlement opportunities.
- Competitive Salary Packages and Benefits: Care workers are granted equitable compensation in accordance with the UK pay schedule, in addition to additional benefits like sick leave, paid holidays, and pension contributions.
- Access to Free Healthcare through the NHS: The National Health Service (NHS) provides free or subsidized healthcare to care workers and their dependents in the United Kingdom.
- Work-Life Balance with Regulated Hours: Employers are required to adhere to UK labor laws, which guarantee reasonable working hours, paid leave, and rest periods, thereby enhancing the quality of life.
- Opportunities in Every Region of the United Kingdom: Workers have the freedom to select their location, as care worker positions are available in small villages, rural areas, and large cities.
- Opportunity to Acquire Internationally Recognized UK Experience: Employment in the UK’s care sector offers internationally recognized work experience, which can enhance one’s global career prospects.
- Opportunities for Career Advancement and Training: Employers frequently offer training and certification programs to assist care workers in transitioning into senior positions such as team leaders, supervisors, or nurses.
- Safe and Regulated Work Environment: UK laws rigorously enforce worker rights, ensuring a safe, non-discriminatory, and well-regulated work environment for international care staff.
- Diverse and Inclusive Workforce Culture: The United Kingdom’s care sector is renowned for its multicultural atmosphere, which embraces care workers from a variety of countries, origins, and experiences.
What Else Might I Require?
In the case of domiciliary care, which entails visiting clients in their homes, certain employers may mandate that their care workers possess a legitimate driver’s license.
Furthermore, it is imperative to possess your COVID-19 vaccination record when contemplating migration to the UK as a caregiver.
How Long Does the Visa Application Take?
The process of migrating to the United Kingdom as a carer is typically straightforward. The processing period for a care worker visa is typically three weeks from the date biometrics are collected for the visa application, as per the UK Government.
What Are the Financial Costs of Applying for the UK Care Worker Visa?
Certain employers provide relocation packages that include the cost of the visa application, flight ticket, airport pickup, and accommodation for a period of 1-3 months. Nevertheless, you will be responsible for the expenses associated with your relocation if the employer does not provide such a package.
- Visa fee: £232 for a visa of up to 3 years, or £464 for a visa of more than 3 years.
- Maintenance fee: Bank statement showing a balance of £1,270.
- International Health Surcharge (IHS): Applicants are exempt from the IHS of £470.
- Flight ticket: Cost varies.
How Do I Know if a Recruiting Employer Can Sponsor the Care Visa?
Your visa can only be sponsored by organizations that have been issued a sponsorship license by the UK Government (Home Office). The following websites can be used to determine whether an employer is eligible to sponsor your care visa:
- UK Gov
- Companies House
- Uksponsors.co.uk
- NHS Employers
- Uktiersponsors.co.uk
Are There Examples of Organisations Currently Recruiting Care Workers?
The following organizations are currently recruiting care workers:
- Caremark via Laimoon.com
- A1 Care
- HCA Healthcare UK
- Daytime Healthcare
- J.C. Michael Groups
- Good Care Group
- Social Care Alba
- Heathrow Services
Where Can I Do More Online Care Training?
Here are some platforms that offer online care training:
- E-Learning for You
- Florence.co.uk (Florence Academy)
- Social Care TV
- Class Central
- Reed.co.uk
How Can MyMedicalBank Ltd Assist Care Workers?
MyMedicalBank, a health technology corporation, employs digital technology to facilitate professional development for healthcare workers and connect healthcare providers with consumers. Our monthly Home Care Attendant Training (HCAT) is conducted in collaboration with care facilities to provide training to care workers.
Upon successful completion, participants are granted a Care Certificate and are automatically registered as Home Care Attendants on the MyMedicalBank app, a platform that facilitates the connection between healthcare professionals and employment opportunities. Additionally, we offer pertinent information and assistance to individuals who are considering applying for the UK Care Visa.
To enroll in the training or obtain additional information, please visit the following link:
About Us:
MyMedicalBank Ltd is registered in the United Kingdom (Company No. 1367110) and in Nigeria (RC 1548912). The Best Booking Platform for Health Consumers in Nigeria in 2021 was awarded to our flagship digital product, MyMedicalBank, by Global Health and Pharma, UK.
In 2019, Ayo Adebamowo, our Founder and CEO, was recognized as one of the 70 Most Outstanding Nigerian Healthcare Professionals in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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What qualifications do I need to apply for a UK Care job?
Generally, no formal qualifications are required. However, completing caregiving training can significantly increase your chances of finding a job, especially if you have prior experience.
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How long does the UK Care Worker visa application take?
The visa processing time is typically around three weeks from the date biometrics are taken.
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Can MyMedicalBank assist me in getting a UK Care job?
Yes, MyMedicalBank offers care training programs, and upon completion, you’ll receive a Care Certificate and free registration on their app to connect you with job opportunities. They also provide support for those applying for the UK Care Visa.
