A comprehensive guide to apply for the Health & Care Worker Visa
The UK Authorities have now launched the Health Care Worker Visa for certified doctors, nurses, senior carer workers and health professionals skilled, who also have good levels of English.
The Health and Care Worker Visa is a specific visa, solely for healthcare professionals. This Visa allows them to reside in the UK and work for the NHS or within the private healthcare and nursing sectors.
The scope of the visa was extended to include eligible individuals working within the social care sector. The advantages for such staff are fast-track entry, decreased visa charges and support if they should choose to return to the UK.
What is the criteria when applying for the Health & Care Worker Visa?
- A qualified nurse, health professional or social care professional
- Previous experience in eligible health or social care job
- A starting salary over £20,480 per annum
- Applicant must have confirmed job offer from a company that’s been approved by the Home Office
- Applicant must be able to read, write, speak and understand English at at least B1 level on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) scale
- Applicant must have a COS (Certificate of sponsorship) from a UK employer with detailed information regarding the job, location and duties during the employment
KEY INFORMATION:
Please note: This information is accurate as of 25/11/2021. For latest costs visit www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa
AVERAGE PROCESSING TIME
VISA DURATION
3 YEAR VISA COST
5 YEAR VISA COST
Language Proficiency Proof
Applicants must possess the ability to speak, write, read and fully understand English at least Level B1 on the common European framework of reference for language (CEFR) scale.
This can be done by one of the following options:
DEGREE-LEVEL QUALIFICATION TAUGHT IN ENGLISH
Required documentation for applying for Health & Care Worker Visa
- A valid Passport or another document that shows identity or nationality
- Proof of knowledge of English
- Job title, annual salary and occupation code
- Name of employer and their sponsor license number – it will be in your certificate of sponsorship
- A Police clearance certificate
- Proof of your nursing qualifications
- 2 x Previous job or study references
- If you are not fully sponsored then Evidence that you have enough saving to sport your self in the UK. You must have £1270 in your bank account for at least 28 days in a row
FAQs
You are permitted to switch in-country from the Student visa (including Tier 4) to the Skilled Worker category (which replaced the Tier 2 route on 1 December 2020). There are also routes for dependent partners and children of Skilled Workers
You’ll usually need to be paid at least £20,480.
If the ‘going rate’ for your job is higher than £20,480, you’ll usually need to be paid at least the going rate.
You will be eligible for permanent residence in the UK (Indefinite Leave to Remain or ILR) after:
- 5 years as a spouse or partner of a British or EU citizen
- 5 years of residence in the UK in all professional immigration categories (read more below)
- 10 years of legal long residence in the UK
- 20 years of illegal + 10 years of legal long residence in the UK
- Usually 10 years or 5 years for those who have lived half of their life in the UK, subject to a number of immigration conditions
You can apply to switch from another visa to a Health and Care Worker visa if you are already in the UK on a different type of visa, with the exception of staying in the UK:
- on a visit visa
- on a short-term student visa
- on a Parent of a Child Student visa
- on a seasonal worker visa
- on a domestic worker in a private household visa
- on immigration bail
Your job must be in one of the following occupation codes to qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa:
- 2231: Nurses
- 2232: Midwives
- 2442: Social workers
- 6141: Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
- 6143: Dental nurses
- 6146: Senior care workers
Accreditations & Memberships
Avanta Care Ltd is an Awarded supplier of Healthcare Professionals on the HealthTrust Europe framework
HealthTrust Europe hold a strong and long-standing relationship with the NHS, and take a partnership approach to improve healthcare performance. They are committed to developing and delivering solutions that support the needs of public sector healthcare providers
