What is the Health and Care Worker Visa?

The Health and Care Worker Visa is a special UK work visa. It is part of the Skilled Worker Visa route and is made for people who want to work in healthcare or social care jobs in the UK.

This visa is for qualified doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and some social care workers who have a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence, such as the NHS or a registered care provider.

This visa has important benefits:

• Lower visa application fees
   
• No Immigration Health Surcharge (this means applicants can use the NHS without paying extra)
   
• The ability to bring eligible family members (dependants)
   
• A clear route towards UK settlement

City Heights Solicitors helps both applicants and UK employers understand and apply for the Health and Care Worker Visa correctly.

Updates to the Health and Care Visa from July 2025

From 22 July 2025, the UK government made important changes to the Health and Care Worker Visa.

The minimum salary for most Health and Care Visa holders on national pay scales remains £25,000 per year.

Some jobs below degree level will only be available for a limited time. These are listed on the Immigration Salary List or the temporary Shortage List (TSL). There are also restrictions on bringing family members (dependants) for these roles.

The Social Care Worker Visa route is now closed to new overseas applicants. Employers no longer need to work with regional partnerships to hire displaced workers.

Starting 16 December 2025, the Immigration Skills Charge will increase by 32%, meaning it will cost £1,320 per person per year.

The rules for SOC 6131 (nursing auxiliaries and assistants) are changing. Previously, this applied only in workplaces with registered nurses. In future, it will apply to workplaces with a registered nurse or any other registered healthcare professional.

UK Employer & Visa Requirements

To qualify for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa, the following must be met:

• You must have a job offer from a UK employer that holds a valid sponsor licence
   
• The job must be on the current eligible occupation list
   
• The job must meet the minimum salary requirement
   
• The employer must meet all legal and regulatory conditions
   
• The job must be in the health or social care sector

Due to the 2025 changes, many care roles are no longer available for overseas applicants, so employers now need to focus on recruiting from inside the UK or from existing visa holders.

City Heights Solicitors can guide employers through sponsor licence applications, compliance duties and legal responsibilities.

Which Occupations are Covered by the Health and Care Visa?

The main eligible roles now include:

• Doctors
   
• Nurses
   
• Dentists
   
• Allied health professionals (such as physiotherapists, radiographers, and paramedics)
   
• Some healthcare technicians and specialist roles
  
   

However:

• Care worker (SOC 6135) is no longer open to new overseas applicants
   
• Senior care worker (SOC 6136) is also no longer open to new overseas applicants
  
   

Only a limited number of support and technical jobs may still qualify, and these depend on salary levels and strict job conditions.

Because the rules change often, it is important to check the latest occupation list before applying. City Heights Solicitors can check this for you.

How Long Can You Stay

The Health and Care Worker Visa can be issued for up to 5 years at a time.

You may extend your visa if:

• You still have an eligible job
• You meet the salary requirement
• Your employer is still a licensed sponsor
  
   

After 5 continuous years in the UK, you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is permanent residence.

In many cases, your partner and children can also apply as dependents, but this depends on your job type and when your visa was issued.

How to Apply & What It Costs

You must apply for the Health and Care Worker Visa online. You will need:

• A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your UK employer
   
• A valid passport
   
• Proof of your job, salary and identity
   
• Supporting documents

The usual processing time is around 3 weeks, although it can vary.

One of the biggest benefits of this visa is that you do not have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which can save thousands of pounds for you and your family.

Employers may still have to pay other government charges, such as the Immigration Skills Charge.

City Heights Solicitors can prepare and submit your visa application to reduce the risk of errors and delays.

Why the Health and Care Visa Matters — and What the 2025 Changes Mean

The Health and Care Worker Visa has helped the UK fill important roles in the NHS and care sector, including doctors, nurses and key health professionals.

However, with the July 2025 changes, the UK government is now reducing overseas recruitment for lower-skilled care roles and encouraging more domestic hiring and training instead.

This means:

• Fewer overseas care worker visas
   
• Stricter checks for employers
   
• Greater importance of using the correct legal route

For both applicants and employers, it is now more important than ever to get professional immigration advice before applying.

City Heights Solicitors specialises in UK immigration and sponsor licence services, and can help you understand your options and apply with confidence.

Key References: 

1. GOV.UK – Health and Care Worker visa guidance for applicants
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-and-care-visa-guidance-for-applicants/health-and-care-visa-guidance-accessible
    
2. GOV.UK – Health and Care Worker visa overview
    https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/overview
    
3. NHS Employers – Immigration rule changes (July 2025)
    https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/immigration-rule-changes-july-2025
    

NHS Employers – Skilled Worker: Health and Care Visa
 https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/skilled-worker-health-and-care-visa