Health and Care Worker Visa
What is the Health and Care Worker visa? Understand work rights, sponsorship, and requirements for healthcare staff.
Last updated: 30 January 2025
The Health and Care Worker visa helps NHS and social care recruit internationally.
What Is the Health and Care Worker Visa?
Overview
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sponsored visa | Employer sponsors |
| Healthcare sector | Specific roles |
| Reduced costs | No ISC |
| Lower threshold | Than Skilled Worker |
Benefits Over Skilled Worker
| Advantage | Detail |
|---|---|
| No Immigration Skills Charge | Significant saving |
| Lower application fee | For workers |
| Priority processing | Often available |
| Same work rights | Otherwise |
Eligible Roles
Healthcare Professionals
| Role Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Doctors | All grades |
| Nurses | Registered nurses |
| Allied health | Physios, OTs, etc |
| Healthcare support | Clinical roles |
Social Care
| Role Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Care workers | Senior care workers |
| Care managers | Registered managers |
| Social workers | Qualified |
| Support workers | Some roles |
Occupation Codes
| Check | SOC Codes |
|---|---|
| Eligible list | gov.uk |
| Must match | Your role |
| Be specific | Code accuracy |
Sponsorship Requirements
Employer Must Have
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sponsor licence | Health and Care |
| CQC registration | For care providers |
| Eligible role | On list |
| Meet salary | Threshold |
Since December 2024
| New Rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| CQC registration | Required for care |
| Compliance | Stricter |
| Existing sponsors | Must comply |
Salary Requirements
Lower Than Skilled Worker
| Element | Health and Care |
|---|---|
| General threshold | Lower than standard |
| Going rate | Still applies |
| Whichever higher | Must meet |
Pay Rates
| Role | Check Current Rate |
|---|---|
| Varies | By occupation |
| gov.uk | For latest |
| May change | Annually |
Work Rights
Main Employment
| Allowed | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sponsored role | Only |
| Sponsored employer | Only |
| As stated | On CoS |
Supplementary Work
| Permitted | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Up to 20 hours | Per week |
| Same profession | As main job |
| Or shortage occupation | On list |
| Healthcare roles | Usually qualify |
Checking Right to Work
Online Verification
| Process | Standard |
|---|---|
| Share code | Employee generates |
| Online service | Employer verifies |
| Shows status | And restrictions |
What You'll See
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Health and Care Worker |
| Sponsor | Named employer |
| Role | Specified |
| Valid until | Expiry date |
Verify Sponsorship
| Check | That |
|---|---|
| You are sponsor | Named on visa |
| Role matches | What they'll do |
| Still valid | Not expired |
For Employers
Getting a Licence
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Apply | For sponsor licence |
| Specify | Health and Care tier |
| Meet requirements | As sponsor |
| If care provider | CQC registration |
Certificate of Sponsorship
| CoS Details | Include |
|---|---|
| Occupation code | Correct one |
| Salary | Meeting threshold |
| Job description | Accurate |
| Start date | When beginning |
Sponsor Duties
| Duty | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Report changes | To Home Office |
| Keep records | Of worker |
| Pay stated salary | As on CoS |
| Monitor | Compliance |
Pathway to Settlement
After 5 Years
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| 5 years | On Health and Care |
| Continuous residence | Absence rules |
| Still employed | Usually |
| Can apply | For ILR |
After ILR
| Position | Rights |
|---|---|
| No restrictions | Any job |
| No sponsor needed | Free to work |
| Permanent | Status |
Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Hiring an Overseas Nurse
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Have licence | For Health and Care |
| Assign CoS | Correct code |
| Nurse applies | For visa |
| When granted | Check RTW online |
| Verify | You are sponsor |
Scenario 2: Care Home Hiring
| Requirement | Check |
|---|---|
| CQC registration | Must have |
| Sponsor licence | Must have |
| Eligible role | Senior care worker+ |
| Meet salary | Threshold |
Scenario 3: Worker Wants to Change Employer
| Process | Required |
|---|---|
| New sponsor | Must have licence |
| New CoS | Issued by them |
| New application | To UKVI |
| Before starting | New job |
Supplementary Work
Healthcare Settings
| Allowed | Examples |
|---|---|
| Bank shifts | Same profession |
| Second job | In healthcare |
| Locum work | Same role type |
| Up to 20 hours | Per week |
Record Keeping
| Track | Hours |
|---|---|
| Main job | Primary |
| Additional work | Supplementary |
| Combined | Doesn't breach conditions |
Changing Roles
Within Same Sponsor
| Change | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minor change | May be ok |
| Significant change | New CoS |
| Different code | Must apply |
To Different Employer
| Process | Steps |
|---|---|
| New employer sponsors | They have licence |
| New CoS | Assigned |
| Application | To UKVI |
| Wait for decision | Before starting |
Summary
Key Points
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Healthcare specific | Visa type |
| Lower costs | No ISC |
| Sponsorship needed | From employer |
| Work restrictions | Same as Skilled Worker |
For Employers
| Action | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Get licence | Health and Care type |
| Check RTW | Online verification |
| Verify sponsorship | Matches your organisation |
| Comply | With sponsor duties |
Related answers
Right to Work Checks: UK Employer Guide
UK employers must verify every employee's right to work before they start. Learn the 3 methods, required documents, and penalties for non-compliance.
Skilled Worker Visa
What is a Skilled Worker visa and what are the work rights? Understand employer sponsorship, restrictions, and checking requirements.
Sponsor Licence for Employers
What is a sponsor licence and do employers need one? Understand sponsorship requirements, costs, and compliance duties.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Health and Care Worker visa?
- It's a sponsored work visa for qualified doctors, nurses, health professionals, and adult social care professionals. It has lower salary thresholds and no Immigration Skills Charge, making it more accessible than the standard Skilled Worker visa.
- What work restrictions apply to Health and Care Workers?
- Like Skilled Workers, they can only work for their sponsoring employer in their sponsored role. Supplementary work of up to 20 hours per week in health/care or shortage occupations is allowed. They cannot work in unrelated sectors.
- Can care homes sponsor Health and Care Workers?
- Yes, care homes with a valid sponsor licence can sponsor workers. Since December 2024, only CQC-registered providers can sponsor care workers. The role must meet skill and salary requirements.