Updated March 2023
The Health and Care Worker visa is designed for qualified medical professionals that will do an eligible job for the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care.
When you are applying for a UK visa it can be a stressful process trying to piece together which documents you need to prove each requirement and which details to include on the application form. At The Nathanson Partnership, we are able to guide you through the whole application process to help you secure your Health and Care Worker visa.
Who Is Eligible for Health and Care Visa?
The Health and Care Worker visa is a specific route for certain health professionals. The job must be one of the following to be eligible for this visa:
| 1181: health services and public health managers and directors | 2229: therapy professionals that are ‘not elsewhere classified’, such as osteopaths and psychotherapists |
| 1242: residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors | 2231: nurses |
| 2112: biological scientists and biochemists | 2232: midwives |
| 2113: physical scientists | 2442: social workers |
| 2211: medical practitioners | 3111: laboratory technicians |
| 2212: psychologists | 3213: paramedics |
| 2213: pharmacists | 3216: dispensing opticians |
| 2214: ophthalmic opticians | 3217: pharmaceutical technicians |
| 2215: dental practitioners | 3218: medical and dental technicians |
| 2217: medical radiographers | 3219: health associate professionals not elsewhere classified |
| 2218: podiatrists | 6141: nursing auxiliaries and assistants |
| 2219: health professionals that are ‘not elsewhere classified’, such as audiologists and occupational health advisers | 6143: dental nurses |
| 2221: physiotherapists | 6145: care workers and home carers |
| 2222: occupational therapists | 6146: senior care workers |
| 2223: speech and language therapists |
The job must be with an approved UK employer that is either a company within the NHS, an organisation providing medical services to the NHS or an organisation providing adult social care. The employer must be a registered UK sponsor that holds a sponsor licence.
As a health and care worker, you will need to be paid at least £20,480 or the “going rate” for your occupation, whichever is higher. However, certain occupations require you to earn at least £25,600 per year, £10.10 per hour, or the “going rate” for the occupation, whichever is higher.
You will also need to show that you have at least £1270 to support yourself in the UK which you must have held for at least 28 days in your bank account.
In addition, you will need to meet the English language requirement of achieving at least level B1 CEFR.
How Long Can You Stay on the Health and Care Worker Visa?
You can stay in the UK on the Health and Care Worker visa for up to 5 years and can extend it as many times as you like providing you continue to meet the requirements for the visa.
Does the Health and Care Worker Visa Lead to ILR?
Yes, after 5 years you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain or settlement in the UK if you meet the requirements. You will need to show that you are still required for your job for the foreseeable future and that you will be paid the minimum salary for your role. In addition, you must have passed the Life in The UK Test and have been in the UK for 5 years continuously with no more than 180 days in any 12-month period spent outside the UK.
How Can The Nathanson Partnership Help You?
At The Nathanson Partnership, we can help you apply for your Health and Care Worker visa. The first thing you need if you do not have one already is a UK-registered sponsor that is able to employ you.
We provide a full Health and Care Worker visa service whereby we advise on exactly how to apply for the visa and which documents are required to meet the Home Office standards.
Please contact us for a free initial assessment with our qualified and experienced UK immigration advisors.
Contact Our Expert Health and Care Worker Visa Immigration Professionals
The Nathanson Partnership is made up of regulated immigration professionals providing immigration advice that is accurate and reliable. We are fully accredited by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) which means that we must adhere to high-quality immigration service standards.
We are proud to represent a range of clients that value our clear, transparent, and practical advice. We understand that the UK immigration system can be confusing which is why we use our expertise to help our clients understand what they need to do to secure their visas.
If you need assistance with your Health and Care Worker visa application, our team of specialists are keen to help you.
Please contact us today on 020 3476 9523 or email us at [email protected]