Health and Care Worker Visa

What is a Health and Care Worker Visa?

A Health and Care Worker visa enables medical professionals to undertake an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care.

What Are the Key Eligibility Requirements for a Health and Care Worker visa?

In order to successfully apply for a Health and Care Worker visa, applicants must meet the following key requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age;
• Must be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional;
• Must work in an eligible health or social care job;
• Must have a job offer and a certificate of sponsorship from a Home Office approved licenced sponsor;
• Must meet the required level of English language;
• Must meet the minimum salary threshold;
• Must evidence they have sufficient money to support themselves or their sponsor must confirm that they will support the applicant. If, however an applicant has been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or more, they will not need to show proof that they have sufficient money to support themselves;
• Must provide a criminal record certificate, if working with vulnerable people; and
• May need to provide a tuberculosis (TB) certificate depending on which country the applicant resides in.

How Long is a Health and Care Worker Visa Valid for?

A Health and Care Worker visa is initially granted for a period up to 5 years. The actual length will depend on the length stated on an applicant’s certificate of sponsorship with an additional 14 days after the end date.

Can a Health and Care Worker Visa be Extended?

Before the expiry of a Health and Care Worker visa, applicants must apply to the Home Office to extend their stay in the UK. Applicants can extend their visa as many times as they like so long as they still meet the relevant requirements.

Does a Health and Care Worker Lead to Settlement?

Once an applicant has held a Health and Care Worker visa for 5 years, they will be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. This gives settled status in the UK, also known as ‘settlement’. It gives the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as an applicant wishes and apply for benefits if eligible.

Will an Applicant be Eligible for British Citizenship?

Once an applicant has held indefinite leave to remain in the UK for 12 months, an applicant may be eligible to apply for British Citizenship. If, however an applicant is married to a British Citizen, an applicant will not need to wait 12 months and may be eligible to apply immediately for British Citizenship by naturalisation after obtaining indefinite leave to remain.

Can Dependants Join or Accompany Health and Care Workers?

The partner and children of an applicant can accompany or join them so long as they meet the eligibility criteria. If this is met, they will be issued a visa which will have the same end date as the Health and Care Worker visa holder.

How Long Does it Take For a Decision to be Made?

The Home Office will usually process a Health and Care Worker visa application within 3 weeks.

If eligible, applicants will be advised whether they can apply to get a decision faster. The Home Office charge additional fees for these priority services.

How Much Does it Cost?

The Home Office fee depends on how long an applicant is applying to stay in the UK for. Applicants who are applying to stay for up to 3 years will pay a fee of £247. For applicants applying to stay for more than 3 years and up to 5 years, the fee is £479.

Applicants and their dependants will not be required to pay the immigration health surcharge.

How We Can Help You

Our highly experienced team will provide expert advice and guidance to you throughout your immigration journey.

If you have any questions, please complete our online enquiry form or email us at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call us on 01724 701111 and one of our experts will be happy to assist you.