The Health and Care WorkerVisa is a program that encourages healthcare professionals from all over the globe to work in the UK health sector. The Health and Care Workers visa provides applicants with the opportunity to enter the United Kingdom at a faster pace, pay lower visa fees, and be exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. A specialized staff within UKVI assists migrants and their dependents in the processing of their visa applications as a component of the program.
On August 4, 2020, the United Kingdom implemented a new immigration system that began accepting applications. Please find below the necessary information regarding the eligibility criteria, application process, Health & Care visa costs, and processing timeframes for this visa route.
Please note that MymedicalBank does not provide visa services or function as visa agents. Consequently, this is intended to serve as a resource to assist you in your pursuit of a visa.
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What Are the Requirements for Obtaining a Health and Care Visa?
If you are a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional, or adult social care worker, you are eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker Visa.
This visa is available to individuals who are seeking entry clearance or leave to remain under the Skilled Worker route, provided that they will be employed in one of the occupations specified under a prescribed Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code.
The current list of eligible professions is subject to change and includes:
- SOC Code 1181: Health services and public health managers and directors
- SOC Code 1242: Residential, day, and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
- SOC Code 2112: Biological scientists and biochemists
- SOC Code 2113: Physical scientists
- SOC Code 2211: Medical practitioners
- SOC Code 2212: Psychologists
- SOC Code 2213: Pharmacists
- SOC Code 2214: Ophthalmic opticians
- SOC Code 2215: Dental practitioners
- SOC Code 2217: Medical radiographers
- SOC Code 2218: Podiatrists
- SOC Code 2219: Health professionals not elsewhere classified (e.g., audiologists, occupational health advisers)
- SOC Code 2221: Physiotherapists
- SOC Code 2222: Occupational therapists
- SOC Code 2223: Speech and language therapists
- SOC Code 2229: Therapy professionals not elsewhere classified (e.g., osteopaths, psychotherapists)
- SOC Code 2231: Nurses
- SOC Code 2232: Midwives
- SOC Code 2442: Social workers
- SOC Code 3111: Laboratory technicians
- SOC Code 3213: Paramedics
- SOC Code 3216: Dispensing opticians
- SOC Code 3217: Pharmaceutical technicians
- SOC Code 3218: Medical and dental technicians
- SOC Code 3219: Health associate professionals not elsewhere classified
- SOC Code 6141: Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
- SOC Code 6143: Dental nurses
- SOC Code 6145: Care workers and home carers
- SOC Code 6146: Senior care workers
The applicant’s position must be classified under one of the aforementioned SOC categories in order to qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa. Furthermore, the sponsoring organization must be one of the following:
- An NHS body or trust
- A provider of medical services to the NHS
- An adult social care organization
- Another medical or social care organization listed in the official guidance.
Applicants who are registered with, engaged with, or employed by the following industry bodies may be eligible:
- General Chiropractic Council
- General Dental Council
- General Medical Council
- General Optical Council
- General Osteopathic Council
- General Pharmaceutical Council
- Health and Care Professions Council
- Northern Ireland Social Care Council
- Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland
- Scottish Social Services Council
- Social Care Wales
The Health and Care Worker visa is not available to individuals who are not employed by a designated organization in one of the prescribed occupations. Nevertheless, if you are not eligible for this new visa category, you may still submit an application through the standard Skilled Worker visa route.
What are the Health and Care Worker visa requirements?
The following criteria must be met by Health and Care visa applicants in order to qualify for the Skilled Worker visa route:
- Possess a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK-licensed sponsor.
- A qualifying job offer that satisfies the applicable salary threshold is required.
- In certain instances, it may be necessary to possess an adequate amount of personal reserves to provide for oneself upon arrival in the United Kingdom.
- Guarantee that you possess a comprehensive comprehension of the English language.
- Demonstrate your ability to travel and provide a summary of your travel experiences over the past five years.
- Valid tuberculosis test results are required if you are from a specified country.
- In the event that you will be working with vulnerable individuals as a healthcare professional, you are required to submit a criminal record certificate from any location where you resided for a period of 12 months or more within the past decade.
- To be eligible, you must satisfy the salary requirement, which comprises either exceeding the minimum salary threshold or exceeding the appropriate rate for the position you have been assigned.
Additionally, certain applicants may be required to demonstrate their financial stability. To submit an application from abroad, it is necessary to demonstrate that you have maintained a balance of £1,270 in your bank account for a minimum of 28 consecutive days.
A minimum of 31 days must have elapsed since the date of your visa application. In the event that you apply from within the United Kingdom and have held a valid visa for a minimum of 12 months, or if your employer covers your costs for the first month of your stay, you will not be required to meet this financial minimum.
Your employer will notify you of your eligibility for a Health and Care Worker visa upon your employment. In order to accurately complete the visa application, it is imperative that you possess this information. In the note field of your CoS, you are also required to provide an explanation of how your new position satisfies the visa eligibility requirements.
If your UK sponsor is a private organization that provides healthcare services commissioned by the NHS, you will also be required to provide an explanation, as well as potentially documentary evidence, of the contractual arrangements with the NHS as proof of your eligibility for a Health and Care Worker visa.
How to Apply for Health and Care Worker Visa?
Applicants must initially obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from their UK-based sponsor in order to register for the Health and Care Worker visa. This certificate includes a distinctive reference number that is necessary for the online application process through the UK Home Office.
In order to proceed with the application, it is necessary to complete all mandatory sections of the form and pay the corresponding visa charge (see fee details below). Additionally, you will be required to submit supporting documents as part of your application.
Upon receipt of your application, the Home Office will evaluate the information and supporting documents you have submitted. Then, you will be directed to either:
- Book a biometric appointment if your biometrics that were previously submitted cannot be re-used, or
- If you are eligible, utilize the ID app to enroll your biometrics.
Supporting Documents for the Health and Care Worker Visa:
When applying for this visa, it may be necessary to submit a variety of supporting documents, such as (if applicable):
- Unless your CoS confirms that your sponsor will provide support, a bank statement or letter from your bank/building society that demonstrates an adequate amount of personal savings.
- Proof of English language proficiency, such as:
- Unless exempt (e.g., nationals of predominant English-speaking countries), an approved English language test with a minimum CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening is required.
- An academic qualification that is taught in English and is recognized by UK NARIC as equivalent to a UK bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree.
- If you are enrolling as a doctor, nurse, dentist, or midwife, your professional body’s assessment may be used to demonstrate your language proficiency.
- A passport or travel document that is valid.
- Passports that have expired are examples of documents that demonstrate your travel history.
- Tuberculosis test results, provided that you are a resident of a country that is specified.
- A certified copy of your criminal record.
Can My Partner or Dependents Join Me in the UK?
Certainly, your immediate family members are permitted to accompany you to the United Kingdom under the Health and Care Worker visa. This encompasses your spouse or partner and any dependent offspring.
If you are currently in the United Kingdom, your sponsor is required to furnish written confirmation that your dependents are eligible to accompany you. This could be a letter or email that clarifies the identity of your organization and, if it is not an NHS body, elucidates how it qualifies to sponsor under the Health and Care Worker visa route.
What Are the Health and Care Worker Visa Costs?
The visa application fees for Health and Care Worker Visas are lower than those for other Skilled Worker routes. These fees are applicable to both primary applicants and their dependents, provided that they meet the requirements of this visa category.
Applications Made Outside the UK:
- Health and Care Worker Visa (Certificate of Sponsorship valid for 3 years or less): £247 – main applicant and dependents
- Health and Care Worker Visa (Certificate of Sponsorship valid for over 3 years): £479 – main applicant and dependents
- Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Worker Visa (CoS valid for 3 years or less): £247 – main applicant and dependents
- Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Worker Visa (CoS valid for over 3 years): £479 – main applicant and dependents
Applications Made Within the UK:
- Health and Care Worker Visa (Certificate of Sponsorship valid for 3 years or less): £247 – main applicant and dependents
- Health and Care Worker Visa (Certificate of Sponsorship valid for over 3 years): £479 – main applicant and dependents
- Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Worker Visa (CoS valid for 3 years or less): £247 – main applicant and dependents
- Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Worker Visa (CoS valid for over 3 years): £479 – main applicant and dependents
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is waived for all petitioners and their dependents under the Health and Care Worker Visa.
Nevertheless, the IHS will still be required to be paid by frontline health and social care workers who do not qualify for the Health and Care Worker Visa. They may be eligible for reimbursement in appreciation of their service, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What Are the Health and Care Worker Visa Processing Times?
Your application is prioritized and expedited under the Health and Care Worker visa route upon receipt by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
Healthcare professionals who apply for this visa category can anticipate a decision within three weeks of submitting their biometric information. This is substantially faster than the standard 8 to 20 week processing time for regular Skilled Worker visas. Nevertheless, delays may still occur, particularly as a result of the ongoing impact of processing applications under the Ukraine Schemes. Consequently, it is prudent to obtain the most recent advice prior to submitting your application.
Additionally, UKVI maintains a specialized NHS support and visa processing team that enables both applicants and sponsors to directly communicate with immigration specialists for clarification on eligibility or assistance with the application process.
Taking On Additional Work or a Second Job:
Health and Care Worker visa holders are permitted to continue working in their sponsored position and may also pursue a second or supplementary job, as per the most recent guidance. Visa holders may be required to submit an application to revise their visas in certain instances, contingent upon the nature and duration of the supplementary employment.
If: You are not required to update your visa.
- The second position is also eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa route, with no hourly restrictions.
- The additional position is listed on the Shortage Occupation List, and you are required to work a maximum of 20 hours per week.
- You are engaging in unpaid, voluntary labor.
If you are required to update your visa, you must submit an application.
- The second position is not included in the Shortage Occupation List or the Health and Care Worker visa route.
- In a Shortage Occupation List position, you intend to put in more than 20 hours per week.
To amend your status, you will need a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your second employer, along with supporting documentation for the Home Office explaining the reason for the change.
New Rules on Secondary Employment:
Health and Care Workers will be allowed to work up to 20 hours of additional paid work without the need to update their visas, effective August 27, 2023. This is provided that the secondary role has the same occupation code and level as their primary position or is listed on the Shortage Occupation List.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the UK Health and Care Worker Visa?
The Health and Care Worker Visa allows qualified health and care professionals to work in the UK, providing essential services in healthcare settings like hospitals, care homes, and NHS services.
What are the eligibility requirements for the UK Health and Care Worker Visa?
Applicants must have a job offer in a health or social care role from an approved UK employer, meet the required salary threshold, and demonstrate proficiency in English. The job must be on the list of eligible occupations.
How can I apply for the UK Health and Care Worker Visa?
To apply, you need to secure a job offer from a licensed sponsor, gather the necessary documentation (such as proof of job offer and salary), and submit your application online. If approved, you can live and work in the UK for up to 5 years.
