Health & Care Worker Visa
The fastest visa route for
UK healthcare
workers.
The Health and Care Worker Visa gives overseas healthcare professionals a faster, cheaper route to working in the UK — no Immigration Health Surcharge, reduced fees, and a maintained 5-year path to permanent settlement.
The visa explained
Health & Care Visa vs standard Skilled Worker.
Health & Care Worker Visa
- No Immigration Health Surcharge — saves £1,035+ per person per year
- Reduced visa fees from £304 (vs £827 standard route)
- Maintained 5-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain
- Dependants also fully exempt from IHS
- Standard processing ~3 weeks — priority option available
- Covers doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, allied health
Standard Skilled Worker Visa
- –IHS of £1,035 per person per year applies
- –Higher fees — £827 for up to 3 years
- –ILR route extended to 10 years from April 2026
- –Dependants also pay full IHS
- –Same standard processing time
- –Available across all sectors, not just healthcare
Eligible professions
Which healthcare roles qualify?
The Health and Care Worker Visa is open to overseas professionals in regulated UK healthcare roles at RQF Level 6 and above. Note: care workers (SOC 6135/6136) are no longer eligible as of July 2025.
Eligibility
What you need to qualify.
Job offer from a licensed UK sponsor
Your employer must hold a valid sponsor licence and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) before you apply. NHS trusts, private hospitals, major pharmacy chains and large care providers are all approved sponsors.
Salary meets the going rate
Minimum £25,000 per year (or the going rate for your occupation code, whichever is higher) for NHS Agenda for Change and medical pay scale roles. Non-NHS health roles require at least £31,300. Only guaranteed basic gross pay counts.
English language proficiency
From 8 January 2026, all overseas applicants must meet CEFR Level B2. Check the Home Office approved test list — acceptable tests include IELTS, OET, and UKVI-approved alternatives depending on your profession.
Professional registration (or conditional offer)
You must be registered with the relevant UK body — NMC (nurses), GMC (doctors), GPhC (pharmacists), GDC (dentists), HCPC (allied health). Many employers sponsor candidates with a conditional offer pending full registration.
How to apply
The 6-step application process.
Secure a UK job offer
Apply for a role with a licensed UK sponsor — NHS trust, private hospital, pharmacy chain or care group. Your employer will confirm a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number.
Employer issues your CoS
Your sponsor assigns your CoS in the UKVI system. You receive a reference number — this is required in your visa application and confirms the role and salary details.
Verify your salary going rate
Confirm your offered salary meets or exceeds the going rate for your occupation code. Only guaranteed basic pay counts — overtime, bonuses and other allowances are excluded.
Gather your documents
Valid passport, CoS reference number, English language certificate, professional registration evidence (or conditional offer letter), and financial evidence if applicable.
Apply online and pay the fee
Submit your application at gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa. Fee: £304 (up to 3 years) or £590 (over 3 years). Dependants apply separately at the same fee rate. No IHS to pay.
Biometrics and decision
Book your biometric appointment at your nearest UKVI visa application centre. Standard processing outside the UK takes approximately 3 weeks. Priority service reduces this to 5 working days.
Family members
Bring your family with you.
Qualifying dependants — your spouse or partner and children under 18 — can accompany or join you in the UK. Dependants on the Health and Care Worker Visa enjoy the same IHS exemption as the main applicant, and can work in any sector.
- Dependants can work in any UK sector — not restricted to healthcare
- Dependants can study in UK schools and universities
- IHS exemption applies to all dependants — no NHS surcharge
- Visa duration matches the main applicant's visa
- Dependants can also apply for ILR after 5 years of continuous residence
Visa fee summary — April 2026
Fees increased by 6.5% on 8 April 2026. Subject to further change.
Register first, then visa
Get your UK professional registration — then apply for your visa.
NMC Registration for Nurses
CBT, OSCE and NMC PIN for overseas nurses from Pakistan, India, Nigeria and the Philippines.
PLAB & GMC Registration
Complete PLAB 1, PLAB 2 and GMC registration guidance for international doctors.
OSPAP for Pharmacists
GPhC registration via OSPAP — from eligibility check through university placement and registration.
FAQ
Common questions about the Health & Care Worker Visa.
Do I need to be registered before applying for the Health and Care Visa?
Not necessarily. Many employers sponsor overseas workers with a conditional offer pending registration with the relevant UK regulatory body (NMC, GMC, GPhC, GDC or HCPC). You must obtain full registration within the agreed timeline once you arrive in the UK.
Is the Immigration Health Surcharge waived for dependants too?
Yes. Dependants joining Health and Care Worker Visa holders are fully exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge — saving over £1,035 per person per year compared to standard Skilled Worker dependants.
What is the minimum salary for the Health and Care Worker Visa?
For roles on national pay scales (NHS Agenda for Change, medical pay scales), the minimum is £25,000 per year or the going rate for your occupation code, whichever is higher. For health roles not on national pay scales, the general threshold is £31,300. Only guaranteed basic gross pay counts — not overtime, bonuses or other benefits.
Can my family work in the UK on a dependant visa?
Yes. Dependants of Health and Care Worker visa holders are permitted to live, work and study in the UK. They are not restricted to healthcare roles — they can work in any sector.
How long does the Health and Care Worker Visa application take?
Standard processing outside the UK takes approximately 3 weeks. Priority processing (additional fee) can reduce this to 5 working days. Apply at least 3 months before your intended start date to allow for any delays.
What happens after 5 years — can I settle permanently?
Health and Care Worker visa holders retain the 5-year continuous residence route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). This is unchanged from pre-2026 rules. From April 2026 the standard Skilled Worker route moved to a 10-year ILR path — but healthcare workers are protected from this change.
Free consultation
Ready to start your UK healthcare career?
Tell us your profession, country and situation. A Global Pathways advisor will map your registration pathway and Health & Care Visa route — completely free.
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