Health and Care Worker Visa Fee Increase April 2026: Updated Cost Breakdown
If you are an overseas nurse, doctor or pharmacist applying for the UK Health and Care Worker Visa in 2026, your application is now more expensive than it was just weeks ago. On 8 April 2026, UK visa fees rose by 6.5% across all routes — including the Health and Care Worker Visa, the Skilled Worker Visa, dependants, students and graduate visas.
Despite the increase, the Health and Care Worker Visa remains the cheapest fast-track route into the UK for healthcare professionals. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) exemption is unchanged, the Health and Care discount on application fees still applies, and dependants of nurses, doctors and pharmacists keep their right to come to the UK.
This guide gives you the full updated cost breakdown — what changed, what didn't, and the realistic total cost for a healthcare professional bringing a partner and one child to the UK in 2026.
What changed on 8 April 2026
- Visa application fees rose 6.5% across all UK visa routes — Health and Care Worker, Skilled Worker, Student, Graduate, Visit and dependant visas.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee is unchanged at £525 — held flat by the Home Office.
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) exemption for Health and Care Worker Visa applicants is unchanged — IHS remains £0 for this route.
- Immigration Skills Charge rates set in 2024 are unchanged.
- Priority and super-priority service fees rose by 6.5% in line with main fees.
Updated Health and Care Worker Visa fees — April 2026
| Cost component | Amount (post-8 April 2026) |
|---|---|
| Application fee — visa up to 3 years | £324 |
| Application fee — visa more than 3 years | £628 |
| Application fee — dependant up to 3 years | £324 |
| Application fee — dependant more than 3 years | £628 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | £525 (paid by sponsor) |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £0 — exempt |
| Biometric enrolment | £19.20 |
| Priority service (5 working days) | ~£500 |
| Super-priority service (next day) | ~£1,000 |
The Health and Care discount keeps these fees significantly lower than the equivalent Skilled Worker Visa, where the standard application fee is roughly £769 / £1,519 after the April 2026 increase.
Why the IHS exemption is the real saving
The biggest cost in any UK visa application is normally the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which gives visa holders access to the NHS. From April 2026, IHS is set at £1,035 per year per person for adults on Skilled Worker visas — meaning a 5-year visa with a partner and one child would attract IHS of £15,525 alone.
Health and Care Worker Visa applicants are fully exempt from IHS. This single exemption is worth far more than the entire application fee — and is the reason this route remains the most cost-effective entry to the UK for healthcare workers and their families.
Realistic total cost — three example scenarios (April 2026)
Scenario 1: Single overseas nurse, 5-year visa
| Application fee (>3 years) | £628 |
| Biometric enrolment | £19.20 |
| IHS (5 years) | £0 (exempt) |
| Total | ~£647 |
Scenario 2: Doctor with partner and one child, 5-year visa
| Main applicant fee (>3 years) | £628 |
| Partner dependant fee (>3 years) | £628 |
| Child dependant fee (>3 years) | £628 |
| Biometric enrolment x 3 | £57.60 |
| IHS (3 people, 5 years) | £0 (exempt) |
| Total | ~£1,942 |
The same doctor on a standard Skilled Worker Visa (no IHS exemption, higher fees) would pay roughly £20,000+ on the visa alone — almost entirely IHS. The Health and Care Worker Visa saves a family of three around £18,000 over 5 years.
Scenario 3: Pharmacist switching from Student Visa, 3-year visa
| Application fee (≤3 years, in-country switch) | £324 |
| Biometric enrolment | £19.20 |
| IHS (3 years) | £0 (exempt) |
| Total | ~£343 |
Costs paid by your sponsor (not you)
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): £525 per applicant, paid by the sponsoring NHS trust or licensed employer. Held flat in 2026.
- Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): £1,000 per year for medium/large sponsors, £364 per year for small/charitable sponsors — paid by the sponsor for the full visa duration. NHS trusts pay the standard rate.
- Sponsor licence fee: If your employer is renewing or applying for their licence, that fee is also paid by them — it does not appear on your personal application.
Confirm with your prospective employer that they are paying these. Most NHS trusts and licensed care providers do, but the law requires the sponsor — not you — to bear ISC and CoS. If a recruiter or employer asks you to pay these directly, that is a red flag.
Hidden costs to budget for
Application fees are the part most people focus on, but the realistic out-of-pocket cost of starting work in the UK includes:
- English language test: OET ~£369, IELTS ~£200–£245. See our OET vs IELTS comparison.
- NMC / GMC / GPhC registration fees: NMC £153 + £140 (~£293), GMC £156–£406, GPhC OSPAP £14,000+ for full route.
- Document attestation: Notarisation, embassy attestation and translation can add £200–£800 in your home country.
- Flights: One-way flight from Pakistan, India, Nigeria or the Philippines to the UK typically £400–£900 per adult.
- First-month accommodation: NHS often provides 2–4 weeks of subsidised hospital accommodation. Allow £600–£1,500 for a deposit and first month if not.
- NHS pre-employment checks: Police clearance, DBS check (~£23), occupational health.
What did NOT change
- Eligible roles: Doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and most allied health professionals remain eligible. Care workers (SOC 6135) and senior care workers (SOC 6136) are closed to new applicants since 2026, with a transition window until 22 July 2028.
- Salary thresholds: Most healthcare roles continue to be eligible at lower thresholds via NHS Agenda for Change pay scales. The general Skilled Worker minimum salary applies more strictly to private healthcare sponsors.
- Dependant rights: Doctors, nurses, midwives and pharmacists keep the right to bring partner and children. Care workers do not.
- 5-year route to ILR (currently): Public sector healthcare workers are expected to keep a 5-year ILR route under the new earned settlement framework — see our UK 10-year ILR rule guide for the full picture.
How to apply — 5-step checklist
- Secure a UK job offer with a licensed sponsor. NHS trusts are automatically licensed; private employers must hold a sponsor licence with a Health and Care add-on.
- Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Your sponsor issues this digitally with your job details, salary and start date.
- Meet the English language requirement. CEFR B2 across all four skills for new applicants from 8 January 2026 — OET Grade B or IELTS Academic 7.0+ in healthcare are accepted. See our OET preparation course.
- Apply online and pay the fee. £324 (≤3 years) or £628 (>3 years), plus £19.20 biometrics. IHS auto-calculated to £0 once Health and Care eligibility is confirmed.
- Attend a biometric appointment in your home country and submit supporting documents — passport, CoS reference, English certificate, criminal record check, TB test (if applicable).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Health and Care Worker Visa in 2026?
After the 8 April 2026 fee rise, the application fee is £324 for visas up to 3 years and £628 for visas over 3 years, plus £19.20 for biometric enrolment. Immigration Health Surcharge is £0 (exempt) for this route.
Did Health and Care Worker Visa fees go up in April 2026?
Yes. UK visa fees rose by 6.5% on 8 April 2026, including the Health and Care Worker Visa application fee for both main applicants and dependants.
Do I still get the IHS exemption on the Health and Care Worker Visa?
Yes. The Immigration Health Surcharge exemption for Health and Care Worker Visa applicants is unchanged in 2026. IHS remains £0 for the duration of your visa.
What is the difference between the Health and Care Worker Visa and Skilled Worker Visa cost?
The Health and Care Worker Visa has lower application fees (£324/£628) compared to the Skilled Worker Visa (~£769/£1,519) and a full IHS exemption (£0 vs £1,035 per year). For a 5-year visa with two dependants, the Health and Care route saves roughly £18,000.
Who pays the Certificate of Sponsorship fee?
The CoS fee (£525) and the Immigration Skills Charge are paid by the sponsoring employer — not you. If a recruiter asks you to pay these directly, walk away.
Can I bring my family on the Health and Care Worker Visa in 2026?
Yes — for nurses, doctors, midwives, pharmacists and other higher-skilled healthcare professionals. Care workers and senior care workers cannot bring dependants under the rules in force from 2024.
How long is processing for a Health and Care Worker Visa?
Standard processing is 3 weeks from outside the UK. Priority service (~£500) cuts this to 5 working days. Super-priority (~£1,000) gives a next-working-day decision.
The Health and Care Worker Visa is still the most cost-effective route into the UK for overseas healthcare workers — even after the April 2026 fee rise. For full eligibility, salary thresholds and dependant rules, see our complete Health and Care Worker Visa UK 2026 guide. To plan your full route, book a free consultation with a Global Pathways adviser.