Health & Care Worker Visa

What is the Health and Care Worker visa?

The Health and Care Worker visa is a Skilled Worker sub-route for eligible health and care professionals. If you meet the rules, you may benefit from reduced application fees and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. The role must still meet wider Skilled Worker requirements.

Who may qualify

You may qualify if you are a qualified doctor, nurse, or other eligible health or care professional, have a job offer from an approved type of employer (such as the NHS or an organisation providing adult social care), and hold or can obtain required professional registration.

Employer sponsorship

Your employer must hold a skilled worker sponsor licence and assign a Certificate of Sponsorship. If a trust or care provider is new to sponsorship, we can advise employers on sponsor licence applications alongside your visa.

Professional registration

Registration with the NMC, GMC, HCPC, or another relevant body is usually required before or as part of the process. We align visa timing with registration decisions.

Qualifications and English

Degree certificates, OET or IELTS results (or exemptions), and evidence of qualification equivalence may be needed. English requirements follow Skilled Worker rules unless a professional body route exempts you.

CoS and eligible employer

The CoS must be from an eligible health or care sponsor. Job title, SOC code, and salary must meet Skilled Worker thresholds for that occupation unless a listed concession applies.

How to apply

Apply online as for Skilled Worker, selecting the Health and Care Worker route where prompted. Upload registration, qualification, and CoS evidence and attend biometrics. We review whether IHS exemption and reduced fees apply before you pay.

Costs & processing time

Health and Care Worker applications use lower Home Office fees than standard Skilled Worker (commonly quoted as £284 up to three years and £551 beyond three years as of 2026 — subject to change). IHS is usually not charged on this route. Priority services may still cost extra.

Common reasons applications are refused

• Employer or role not eligible for the Health and Care Worker concession

• Missing or pending professional registration

• Salary or SOC code does not meet Skilled Worker rules

• English evidence not accepted or below required level

• CoS assigned before registration or start date issues

Related guidance: Skilled Worker Visa, Senior / Specialist Worker, Scale-Up Worker Visa, and Settlement & ILR.