Start Your UK HealthcareCareer Today
Fast-track NHS visa with 98%+ success rate. Lower fees, NO health surcharge, and streamlined processing for healthcare heroes.
£304 application fee (vs £769 standard), NO Immigration Health Surcharge (saves £3,105+), and just £23,200 minimum salary for NHS workers. Fast 3-week processing.
*Success rates based on properly prepared cases. UKVI makes final decisions on all applications.
Free Health Worker Visa Assessment
Expert NHS visa advice • Same-day callback • Completely confidential
What is the Health and Care Worker Visa?
The UK Health and Care Worker Visa is a specialized work visa for healthcare professionals wanting to work for the NHS, NHS suppliers, or adult social care sector. It offers exceptional benefits compared to standard work visas.
Massive Cost Savings
£304 application fee (vs £769) and ZERO Immigration Health Surcharge (saves £3,105+). Your family saves too!
Fast 3-Week Processing
Healthcare visas are fast-tracked. Get your decision in just 3 weeks, not months.
Lower Salary Threshold
Only £23,200 for NHS roles (vs £38,700 for standard visas). Makes qualification much easier.
Bring Your Family
Partner and children under 18 can join you with full work and study rights. They're IHS-exempt too!
Path to Settlement
Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years, then British citizenship after 6 years total.
40+ Eligible Roles
Doctors, nurses, care workers, therapists, paramedics, social workers, and many more roles qualify.
Why Healthcare Professionals Choose This Visa
The Health and Care Worker Visa recognizes the critical shortage of healthcare professionals in the UK. The government offers these exceptional benefits to attract talented doctors, nurses, and care workers from around the world. You'll save thousands in fees, get faster processing, and enjoy lower salary requirements compared to other work visas. It's the UK's way of saying "thank you" to healthcare heroes.
Who Can Apply?
Healthcare professionals in eligible occupation codes (doctors, nurses, care workers, therapists, etc.)
Job offer from UK employer with valid sponsor licence in health/care sector
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your UK employer
Salary of at least £23,200 (or going rate for role, whichever is higher)
English language at B1 level (IELTS 4.0 or professional body registration)
£1,270 in savings for 28 days (unless exempt or employer provides support)
Visa Benefits
Valid for up to 5 years, extendable as many times as needed
Bring partner and children with full work and study rights
Switch from inside UK from most visa types (Student, Graduate, Skilled Worker)
Take part-time work (under 20hrs/week) in same occupation or second job
Eligible for settlement (ILR) after 5 years continuous residence
Apply for British citizenship 12 months after ILR
Health and Care Worker Visa Requirements
Meeting these requirements ensures your application success. Our experts will guide you through each requirement and help you gather the right evidence.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Your UK employer must have a valid sponsor licence and assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This electronic document contains details about your job, salary, and occupation code.
Requirements:
- Employer must hold Home Office sponsor licence
- Job must be on approved health/care occupation list
- CoS must be used within 3 months of issue
- CoS reference number required for application
Need Help Finding NHS Jobs?
We can connect you with healthcare employers who have sponsor licences and are actively recruiting international healthcare professionals.
Salary Requirements
£23,200 Minimum (NHS roles)
For roles on NHS pay scales. Significantly lower than the £38,700 required for standard Skilled Worker visas.
Salary thresholds:
- £23,200 for jobs on national pay scales (NHS, care sector)
- £29,000 for jobs not on national pay scales
- Or the going rate for your specific occupation (whichever is higher)
- Lower thresholds available for new entrants (70-90% of going rate)
Example NHS Salaries
NHS Band 5 Nurse: £28,407-£34,581 ✓ Meets requirement
NHS Band 3 Care Worker: £24,071-£25,674 ✓ Meets requirement
NHS Band 6 Physiotherapist: £35,392-£42,618 ✓ Well exceeds
English Language
You must demonstrate English at B1 level (CEFR) - equivalent to IELTS 4.0 in speaking, reading, writing, and listening.
Ways to prove English:
- Pass approved English test (IELTS, Trinity, PTE, etc.)
- Registration with UK professional body (GMC, GDC, NMC for doctors/dentists/nurses)
- Degree taught in English (requires confirmation)
- National of majority English-speaking country
Healthcare Professionals Shortcut
If you're registered with GMC (doctors), GDC (dentists), NMC (nurses/midwives), that registration automatically satisfies the English requirement - no separate test needed!
Financial Requirement
You must show you can support yourself when you arrive in the UK. This is a simple maintenance funds requirement, not the complex financial requirement for family visas.
Options to meet requirement:
- £1,270 in personal savings for 28 consecutive days
- Employer provides financial support letter (A-rated sponsor)
- Automatic exemption if you've been in UK for 12+ months with valid leave
Easy to Meet
Most healthcare employers are A-rated sponsors and provide financial support letters, meaning you don't need to show savings at all. If switching from inside UK after being here 12+ months, you're automatically exempt.
Required Documents
A complete document package ensures fast approval. Here's everything you need for your Health and Care Worker Visa application.
Identity Documents
- Valid passport or travel document
- Previous passports (travel history)
- Birth certificate
- Marriage/civil partnership certificate (if bringing partner)
Employment Documents
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- Job offer letter from sponsor
- Contract of employment
- Details of salary and benefits
Financial Proof
- Bank statements showing £1,270 for 28 days, or
- Employer financial support letter (A-rated sponsor)
- Not required if in UK 12+ months
English Language Proof
- IELTS/Trinity/PTE test at B1 level, or
- GMC/GDC/NMC registration, or
- Degree taught in English (with confirmation)
- Passport from exempt country
Professional Qualifications
- Degree certificates and transcripts
- Professional registration certificates (if applicable)
- UK NARIC statement (if degree from outside UK)
- Employment references and CVs
Additional Requirements
- TB certificate (if from listed country)
- Criminal record certificate (for most healthcare roles)
- Current UK visa/BRP (if switching from inside UK)
- Translations for non-English documents
Expert Document Review Service
Our NHS visa specialists will review your complete document package, create a customized checklist for your specific healthcare role, and ensure every document meets Home Office standards. We check for common mistakes that cause delays or refusals.
Application Process
Follow these steps to successfully apply for your Health and Care Worker Visa. We'll guide you through each stage.
Secure Job Offer & Certificate of Sponsorship
Get a job offer from a UK healthcare employer with a valid sponsor licence. Your employer will assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) which includes your job details, salary, and occupation code. The CoS is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.
Gather Required Documents
Collect all required documents: passport, previous travel history, English language proof, professional qualifications, financial evidence, TB certificate (if required), and criminal record certificate. Documents not in English must be professionally translated.
Complete Online Application
Apply online through the UK government website. You'll need your CoS reference number, passport details, travel history for past 10 years, and employment history. Take your time - the application can be saved and completed later.
Pay Application Fee (NO Health Surcharge!)
Pay the reduced application fee: £304 (for visas up to 3 years) or £590 (over 3 years). The best part? You're EXEMPT from the Immigration Health Surcharge, saving you and your family £1,035 per year. This is a massive saving compared to other visa types.
Attend Biometric Appointment
Book and attend your biometric appointment at a visa application center. You'll provide fingerprints and a photo. Bring your passport, appointment confirmation, and supporting documents. You may use the "keep your passport" service to retain your passport during processing.
Fast 3-Week Processing
Health and Care Worker Visas are fast-tracked! Most applications are decided within 3 weeks of your biometric appointment - significantly faster than the 8-12 weeks for standard work visas. Priority services are also available for even faster processing.
Receive Decision & Start Your UK Career
Once approved, receive your visa (valid for up to 5 years) and travel to the UK. Start working for your NHS or care sector employer. After 5 years of continuous residence, apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for permanent settlement, then British citizenship after 6 years total.
Timeline Summary
1-2 weeks
Document preparation
3 weeks
Fast-track processing
£3,000+
Savings vs standard visa
Total timeline: 4-5 weeks from application to UK arrival. Fastest work visa route available!
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about the Health and Care Worker Visa. Our specialists are here to help if you need more information.
Speak to NHS Visa Specialist
Get expert advice about your specific healthcare role and visa application. Our team understands NHS recruitment.
Call 0121 271 0499Free consultation • Same-day callback • Open 7am-7pm
Free Eligibility Check
Take our detailed assessment to understand your eligibility and get a personalized roadmap for your application.
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98%+ Success Rate for Health Worker Visas
Our specialist knowledge of NHS recruitment and healthcare visas has helped over 12,500 doctors, nurses, and care workers successfully relocate to the UK with the Loading... requirements.
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Satisfied With Outcome
"Health & Care Worker visa approved in 3 weeks. IHS exemption saved our family £4,000."
"NMC registration and visa submitted together. Now working as an NHS nurse in Leeds."
"Care home sponsor licence issued so I could move from student visa to full-time role."
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Google Maps - 4.7 Rating with 251 Google reviews →Dated: 04 April 2025
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Our experienced team of immigration professionals is dedicated to helping you navigate the UK visa process with confidence.
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Immigration Consultant
With decades of combined experience, our team has successfully helped thousands of families reunite in the UK.
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