Health and Care Worker Visa
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Health and Care Worker Visa
The Health and Care Visa is specifically designed for medical professionals from overseas who intend to work in the UK for the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in the adult social care sector. This visa category aims to simplify and expedite the process for healthcare professionals to come and work in the UK, while also addressing skill shortages within the industry.
Similar to the Skilled Worker Visa, the Health and Care Worker Visa grants individuals the opportunity to reside and work in the UK. However, this visa category is exclusively available to certain medical professionals and individuals in eligible health and care roles. Health and Care Visa holders benefit from reduced visa fees and are exempt from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Page Contents
Salary Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
How to Apply
Certificate Requirements
Approved Employer Criteria
Salary requirements for the Health and Care Visa
The salary requirements for the Health and Care visa are as follows: you must be paid a minimum of £29,000 per year, or the higher 'going rate' for your specific job. If the going rate for your role is higher than £29,000, then your minimum salary will be set at that higher rate.
Each occupation code has its own going rate, and you must earn at least the going rate for your particular role. For instance, if your current salary is £28,000 per year but the going rate for your occupation is £30,000, then you must earn at least £30,000 to meet the minimum salary requirement.
However, there are certain circumstances where you may be paid between 70% and 90% of the lower going rate for your job, as long as your salary is at least £23,200 per year. This applies if any of the following conditions are met:
- Your job is listed on the immigration salary list.
- You are either under the age of 26, a student or recent graduate, or undergoing professional training.
- You hold a STEM PhD qualification that is relevant to your job.
- You have a postdoctoral position in a scientific role.
Furthermore, if you possess a relevant PhD qualification that is directly related to the role, your salary can be set at £26,100 per year.
Who is eligible for the Health and Care Worker Visa
The Health and Care Visa is exclusively available to qualified doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals who will be employed in eligible positions within the UK healthcare sector. In addition to fulfilling the job requirements, there are several other criteria that must be met in order to qualify for the visa:
1. Possess a valid qualification as a doctor, nurse, health professional, or adult social care professional.
2. Work in one of the eligible occupations within the health or social care sector.
3. Have a job offer from a UK employer who has been approved by the Home Office.
4. Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship from your UK employer, which outlines the details of the offered role.
5. Meet the salary requirements, which vary depending on the specific role.
6. Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English at a minimum level of B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. However, this requirement is not necessary if you are from a predominantly English-speaking country or if you possess an eligible degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English.
How to apply for the Health and Care Worker Visa
Applying for the Health and Care Visa can be a complex process with specific requirements that must be fulfilled.
You need to apply online for the Health and Care Worker Visa by completing the application form found on the gov.uk website. This visa falls under the Skilled Worker route, so make sure to indicate that you are applying for a Health and Care Worker Visa when prompted during the application process.
In order to finalise your application, you must fill out the form, verify your identity, provide necessary supporting documents, and pay the application fee.
As part of the application process, you will be required to confirm your identity. This can be done either by using the UK Immigration: ID Check app to scan your identity document or by attending an appointment at a visa application center to have your biometric information collected, including your photograph and fingerprints.
You can submit your visa application up to 3 months prior to your intended start date in the UK. Typically, you will receive a decision on your application within 3 weeks.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirement
1. The prerequisites for obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for the Health and Care Worker Visa are essential. This electronic record must be issued by a government-approved employer in the UK, and it is a mandatory requirement for the visa application process.
2. The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a crucial document needed to secure the Health and Care Worker Visa. It is an electronic record that must be obtained from a government-approved employer in the UK. This requirement is specific to individuals applying for this particular visa category.
Approved Employer Criteria
To be eligible for employment or engagement, it is crucial to work for a UK health and care sector employer that has received approval from the Home Office and possesses the necessary permissions to hire foreign workers.
These approved employers include NHS Foundation Trusts, NHS Trusts, and other healthcare-related agencies in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Additionally, institutions providing regulated activities under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and registered with the Care Quality Commission are also eligible.
Furthermore, organizations regulated under the Care Standards Act 2000 or the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016, as well as providers of care services in Scotland registered with Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland or providing NHS-related services, are included.
General Practitioner Federations and those contracted by the Northern Ireland Regional Health and Social Care Board for Family Practitioner Services are also approved employers.
Lastly, bodies registered with or monitored/inspected by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority, along with key regulatory bodies such as the General Chiropractic Council and General Medical Council, are eligible employers.
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