A Health and Care Worker visa allows medical professionals to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care. Eligibility Your job To qualify for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must: be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional work in an eligible health or social care job work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK be paid a minimum salary - how much depends on the type of work you do If you’re a care worker or senior care worker working in England, your employer must also be registered with the Care Quality Commission . Check if your job is eligible . You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply for your visa. Knowledge of English You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply. If you’re not eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa You may be eligible for another type of visa to work in the UK . How long you can stay Your visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it. You’ll need to apply to extend or update your visa when it expires or if you change jobs or employer. If you want to stay longer in the UK You can apply to extend your visa as many times as you like as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. After 5 years, you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’). This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible. How to apply You must apply online. How you apply depends on whether you’re: outside the UK and are coming to the UK inside the UK and extending your current visa inside the UK and switching from a different visa If you want to change your job or employer, you must apply to update your visa . Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. How long it takes You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship. As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents. You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application. Getting a decision Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks. You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . How much it costs You, your partner or children will each need to: pay the application fee prove you have enough personal savings Check how much money you’ll need . Healthcare surcharge You - and your partner or children - will not have to pay the healthcare surcharge. What you can and cannot do You can: work in an eligible job take on additional work in certain circumstances do voluntary work study bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible travel abroad and return to the UK apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements You cannot: apply for most benefits ( public funds ), or the State Pension change jobs or employer unless you update your visa If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Health and Care Worker visa.

You must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa: you’re a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional your job is eligible for this visa you’ll be working for a UK health and care sector employer that’s been approved by the Home Office you’ll be paid the minimum salary or the ‘going rate’ for the type of work you’ll be doing - whichever is higher Your employer must make sure your job pays at least the minimum wage and follows the UK rules for how many hours a week you work. If your employer does not do this, your application will be refused. Check if your job is eligible Before you can find out if your job is eligible, you need to know its 4-digit occupation code. If you already have a job offer, ask your employer for your occupation code. Look up your job’s occupation code If you do not know your code, you can search for your job in the CASCOT occupation coding tool . Not every job title is included. If you cannot find your exact job title, try searching for similar jobs. Make sure the job description matches what you’ll be doing. Some jobs in the same area of practice have different codes, for example dentists and dental hygiene therapists. Check if an occupation code is eligible for this visa Your job must be in one of the following occupation codes to qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa: 1171: health services and public health managers and directors 1231: health care practice managers 1232: residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors 2113: biochemists and biomedical scientists 2114: physical scientists 2211: generalist medical practitioners 2212: specialist medical practitioners 2221: physiotherapists 2222: occupational therapists 2223: speech and language therapists 2224: psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists 2225: clinical psychologists 2226: other psychologists 2229: therapy professionals not elsewhere classified 2231: midwifery nurses 2232: registered community nurses 2233: registered specialist nurses 2234: registered nurse practitioners 2235: registered mental health nurses 2236: registered children’s nurses 2237: other registered nursing professionals 2251: pharmacists 2252: optometrists 2253: dental practitioners 2254: medical radiographers 2255: paramedics 2256: podiatrists 2259: other health professionals not elsewhere classified 2461: social workers 3111: laboratory technicians 3211: dispensing opticians 3212: pharmaceutical technicians 3213: medical and dental technicians 3219: health associate professionals not elsewhere classified 6131: nursing auxiliaries and assistants 6132: ambulance staff (excluding paramedics) 6133: dental nurses 6135: care workers and home carers 6136: senior care workers Approved UK health and care sector employers You must have a job offer from an approved UK employer before you apply for a Health and Care Worker visa. Approved employers are also known as sponsors, because they are sponsoring you to come to or stay in the UK. You must have a job offer from: the NHS an organisation providing medical services to the NHS an organisation providing adult social care Read the guidance to see a full list of eligible employers. If your employer is not currently approved, they can apply for a sponsor licence if they’re eligible. They’ll need to pay a fee - £536 for small businesses and charities or £1,476 for medium and large organisations. It usually takes around 8 weeks to process a licence application. If you’re a care worker or senior care worker Your employer must be registered with the Care Quality Commission if you’re a care worker (code 6135) or senior care worker (code 6136) working in England. Check if your employer is registered with the Care Quality Commission . If you already have a job offer from an approved employer Your employer - also known as your sponsor - will check that you meet the eligibility requirements. They’ll give you a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ to prove this. The certificate of sponsorship is an electronic record, not a physical document. It will have a reference number, which you’ll need for your visa application. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship. Check which documents you’ll need to apply . Salary requirements You’ll usually need to be paid at least £23,200. If the ‘going rate’ for your job is higher than £23,200, you’ll usually need to be paid at least the going rate. Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. How you find the going rate depends on your job. When you need to meet different salary requirements You’ll need to meet different salary requirements for this visa if your job is in one of the the following occupation codes: 1171: health services and public health managers and directors 1231: health care practice managers 1232: residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors 2113: biochemists and biomedical scientists 2114: physical scientists 3111: laboratory technicians 3211: dispensing opticians 3212: pharmaceutical technicians 6135: care workers and home carers 6136: senior care workers Find out the going rate if your job is in one of these occupation codes - including when your employer can pay you less. If you’re doing any other health and care job Check how much you need to be paid in the table of national pay scales for eligible healthcare jobs . Salaries are listed by NHS pay band and area of the UK you’ll be working in. Ask your employer if you’re not sure what your role or pay band will be.

If you’ll need to meet different salary requirements

You’ll need to meet different salary requirements for this visa if your job is in one of the following occupation codes: 1171: health services and public health managers and directors 1231: health care practice managers 1232: residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors 2113: biochemists and biomedical scientists 2114: physical scientists 3111: laboratory technicians 3211: dispensing opticians 3212: pharmaceutical technicians 6135: care workers and home carers 6136: senior care workers If your job is in any other occupation code that is eligible for this visa, you must meet the salary requirements described in ‘Your job’ . Salary requirements You’ll usually need to be paid at least £29,000 per year, or the lower ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher. Example Your salary is £30,000 per year, but the annual lower going rate for the job you’ll be doing is £33,000. You do not meet the usual salary requirements for this visa. Each occupation code has its own annual lower going rate. Check the lower going rate for your job in the going rates table . When you can be paid less You might still be able to apply for a Health and Care Worker visa if your job is eligible but your salary is less than £29,000 or your job’s lower ‘going rate’. You can be paid between 70% and 90% of the lower going rate for your job if your salary is at least £23,200 per year and you meet one of the following criteria: you’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training you have a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job (if you have a relevant PhD level qualification in any other subject your salary must be at least £26,100) you have a postdoctoral position in a scientific role You cannot get a discounted salary rate if your job is on the immigration salary list. Your job is on the immigration salary list The immigration salary list is a list of skilled jobs which have lower salary requirements. If your job is on the immigration salary list, you need to be paid at least £23,200 or your job’s full going rate, whichever is higher. View the immigration salary list to see how much you’ll need to be paid. You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training You can be paid 70% of your job’s lower going rate if your salary will be at least £23,200 per year and one of the following applies: you’re under 26 on the date you apply you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa studying at bachelor’s degree level or above - or you have been in the last 2 years, and a Student or visit visa was your most recent visa you’ll be working towards a recognised qualification in a UK regulated profession you’ll be working towards full registration or chartered status in the job you’re being sponsored for If this applies to you, check how much you’ll need to be paid to qualify for this visa. Your total stay in the UK cannot be more than 4 years if you apply for one of these reasons. This includes any time you’ve already spent in the UK on a Tier 2 (General) work visa. You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job You can be paid 80% or 90% of the job’s lower going rate, depending on which subject you are qualified in. If you have a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) qualification, you can be paid 80% of your job’s lower going rate, as long as you will still be paid at least £23,200 per year. If you have a non-STEM qualification, you can be paid 90% of your job’s lower going rate, as long as you will still be paid at least £26,100 a year. In both situations, you must: have a UK PhD or an equivalent doctorate-level overseas qualification - you’ll need to apply through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) to check if an overseas qualification is equivalent to a UK PhD be able to prove your qualification is relevant to the job you’ll be doing in the UK - your employer can confirm this View the list of jobs that qualify for a PhD salary discount to see how much you need to be paid. If you’re a research or academic leader, you may also be eligible to apply for the Global Talent visa . This visa has no language or minimum salary requirements. You have a postdoctoral position in a scientific role You can be paid 70% of your job’s lower going rate if your salary will be at least £23,200 per year and you’ll be working in a postdoctoral position in either of the following occupation codes: 2113: biochemists and biomedical scientists 2114: physical scientists Check how much you’ll need to be paid to qualify for this visa. Your total stay in the UK cannot be more than 4 years if you apply to work in a postdoctoral position at 70% of the lower going rate. This includes any time you’ve already spent in the UK on a Tier 2 (General) work visa.

You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply, unless you did this in a previous successful visa application. Level of English You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ( CEFR ) scale . You can prove your knowledge of English by: passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18 having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English - if you studied abroad, you’ll need to apply through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) for confirmation that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries or territories: Antigua and Barbuda Australia the Bahamas Barbados Belize the British overseas territories Canada Dominica Grenada Guyana Jamaica Malta New Zealand St Kitts and Nevis St Lucia St Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago USA If you’re a doctor, dentist, nurse or midwife You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’ve already passed an English Language assessment that is accepted by the relevant regulated professional body.

When you apply for a Health and Care Worker visa, you’ll need to have enough money to: pay the application fee support yourself when you arrive in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt) You’ll be told how much you need to pay when you apply. Application fees The standard application fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for: up to 3 years - £284 per person more than 3 years - £551 per person The fee is the same whether you apply from inside or outside the UK. Money to support yourself You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK. You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa. You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply , unless either: you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need . Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it. If your employer can support you instead Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm this. Your employer will need to complete the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ section on your certificate. This is under ‘Additional data’.

Documents you'll need to apply

When you apply you’ll need to provide: your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this proof of your knowledge of English a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality your job title and annual salary your job’s occupation code the name of your employer and their sponsor licence number - this will be on your certificate of sponsorship Ask your employer for a copy of your certificate of sponsorship if you do not have one. Other documents you might need Depending on your circumstances, you might be asked to provide: evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK , for example bank statements (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you) proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country a criminal record certificate - if you’re working in certain jobs your UK PhD certificate, or your unique Ecctis reference number (formerly unique UK NARIC reference number) if your qualification is from outside the UK - you’ll need to apply through Ecctis You’ll need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you’re: from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein but do not have a biometric passport with a chip in it If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation . Criminal record certificate You’ll need to provide a criminal record certificate if you’re applying from outside the UK, unless your job is in one of the following occupation codes: 2113: biochemists and biomedical scientists 2114: physical scientists 3111: laboratory technicians 6132: ambulance staff (excluding paramedics) Check how to apply for criminal records checks . If you’ve lived in more than one country You might need to provide a certificate from each country you’ve lived in, depending on your age and how long you stayed in each country. If you’re under 28, you’ll need a certificate from any country you’ve stayed in for a total of 12 months or more since you turned 18. If you’re 28 or over, you’ll need a certificate from any country you’ve stayed in over the last 10 years.

Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for a Health and Care Worker visa. Check which documents you’ll need to apply . Proving your identity and providing supporting documents As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have. You’ll either: use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. If you do need an appointment: the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country) Apply for a Health and Care Worker visa Apply for a Skilled Worker visa. You’ll be asked if you’re applying for a Health and Care Worker visa as part of your application - make sure you choose ‘yes’. Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Apply now Continue your application You can sign back in to your application if you’ve saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . How long it takes to get a decision Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because: your supporting documents need to be verified you need to attend an interview of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . After you apply You can ask to cancel your application . You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

You can usually apply to extend your Health and Care Worker visa if all of the following are true: you have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK you’re still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship you still meet the salary requirements You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. Your partner and children Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires. If you’re a care worker or senior care worker, your partner and children may not be able to stay in the UK as your dependants when you extend your visa. If you have a Tier 2 Health and Care Worker visa You’ll have a Tier 2 Health and Care Worker visa if either: you applied for a Health and Care Worker visa before 1 December 2020 you had a Tier 2 (General) work visa which you’ve extended as a Health and Care Worker visa If you have this visa, you may be able to meet different eligibility requirements. If you got your certificate of sponsorship on or after 24 November 2016 If you apply to extend before 1 December 2026, you will still need to meet the salary requirements , but your salary may also include allowances, such as London weighting. Any allowances must be guaranteed for the length of your stay. If you’re a physical scientist If you were sponsored for your Tier 2 (General) or Health and Care Worker visa before 1 December 2020, the going rate for your job is different. Occupation code Going rate for Health and Care Worker visa 90% of going rate (for relevant STEM PhD) 80% of going rate (for relevant non-STEM PhD or immigration salary list occupation) 70% of going rate (for new entrants) 2114 Physical scientists £29,000 (£13.94 per hour) £26,100 (£12.55 per hour) £24,750 (£11.90 per hour) £24,750 (£11.90 per hour) If you’ve changed job or employer You’ll need to apply to update your visa instead. Fees Check how much it costs for your type of visa. You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken - there’s no fee for this. Proving your identity and providing supporting documents As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport or resident permit you have. You’ll either: use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. Apply to extend your Health and Care Worker visa Apply for a Skilled Worker visa. You’ll be asked if you’re applying for a Health and Care Worker visa as part of your application - make sure you choose ‘yes’. You must apply online before your current visa expires. Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Apply now Continue your application You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . How long it takes to get a decision Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because: your supporting documents need to be verified you need to attend an interview of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . After you apply If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) . You can ask to cancel your application . You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

Update your visa if you change job or employer

You’ll need to apply to update your Health and Care Worker visa if: you want to change your job and your new job is with a different employer your job changes to a different occupation code, and you’re not in a graduate training programme you leave a job that’s on the immigration salary list for a job that is not on the list The same conditions apply to Tier 2 Health and Care visas issued before 1 December 2020. You do not need to apply again if you stay in the same job, but your job is taken off the immigration salary list. If you’ll be doing a different job for your current employer, you only need to update your visa if your new job is in a different occupation code . Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically change if you update yours. If they do not update their visa, it will be valid until its original end date. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires. If you’re a care worker or senior care worker If you change your employer and you’re working in England, your new employer must be registered with the Care Quality Commission. Check if your employer is registered with the Care Quality Commission . Fees Check how much it costs for your type of visa. You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken - there’s no fee for this. Eligibility and documents you’ll need to apply Your new job must meet the eligibility requirements and you’ll need a new certificate of sponsorship to prove this. You’ll only need to provide other evidence again if you’ve been in the UK for less than one year. If you’re applying to add a second job to your current visa You must apply to update your visa if you take on additional work that is more than 20 paid hours a week in addition to the job you’re being sponsored for. Your second job must meet the eligibility requirements and you’ll need a new certificate of sponsorship to prove this. You’ll also need to include a letter with your application explaining that you want to change your current permission to stay. Your letter must state: your name your date of birth your current certificate of sponsorship reference number the date when your current permission to stay runs out If your application is successful, you’ll get a new visa giving you permission to do both jobs. You do not need to apply to update your visa if you’re taking on additional work in an eligible occupation code and you’ll be doing less than 20 hours a week. When to apply to update your visa You can apply to update your visa up to 3 months before the start date of your new job. You can continue working in your current job while your new application is being considered, or to work out your notice period - as long as you apply before your current visa expires. You should not start your new job until you’ve got confirmation of your new permission. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. Proving your identity and providing supporting documents As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have. You’ll either: use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. You’ll also be told how to provide your supporting documents if you need to. Apply to update your visa You must apply online for a Skilled Worker visa. You’ll be asked if you’re applying for a Health and Care Worker visa as part of your application - make sure you choose ‘yes’. Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Apply now Continue your application You can sign back in to your application if you’ve saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . How long it takes to get a decision Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because: your supporting documents need to be verified you need to attend an interview of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . After you apply If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) . You can ask to cancel your application . You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Health and Care Worker visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. Your partner and children Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. If they do not switch their visa, it will be valid until its original end date. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires. If you’re switching to this visa as a care worker or senior care worker, your partner or children will not be able to switch as your dependants to this visa. Eligibility You must meet the following requirements: your job meets the eligibility requirements you can speak, read, write and understand English If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must also meet one of the following requirements: you have completed the course you were sponsored to study your job start date is after your course has finished you have studied for a PhD for at least 24 months Who cannot apply to switch to this visa You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you’re currently 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 because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules , for example on compassionate grounds You must leave the UK and apply for a Health and Care Worker visa from abroad if you’re in one of these categories. How long you can stay You can stay in the UK for as long as your employer is sponsoring you for, up to 5 years at a time. Your certificate of sponsorship will say how long your employer is sponsoring you for. Fees Check how much it costs for your type of visa. You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken - there’s no fee for this. Proving your identity and providing supporting documents As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have. You’ll either: use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. Apply to switch to a Health and Care Worker visa You must apply online before your current visa expires. Apply for a Skilled Worker visa. You’ll be asked if you’re applying for a Health and Care Worker visa as part of your application - make sure you choose ‘yes’. Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Apply now Continue your application You can sign back in to your application if you’ve saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . How long it takes to get a decision Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because: your supporting documents need to be verified you need to attend an interview of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . After you apply If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) . You can ask to cancel your application . You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

Taking on additional work

You can do additional paid work on a Health and Care Worker visa as long as you’re still doing the job you’re being sponsored for. You can also do unpaid voluntary work. If you complete your GP training, you can do 4 months of additional paid work. You may need to apply to update your visa to do additional paid work. This will depend on the type of work you’re doing and the hours you’re going to work. Your additional work must be in an eligible Skilled Worker occupation code . When you need to update your visa You must update your visa if your additional job is more than 20 hours a week. You don’t need to update it if you’re: working overtime in the job you’re being sponsored for working ‘bank shifts’ for your NHS sponsor Apply to update your visa To apply, you’ll need to: get a new certificate of sponsorship from your second employer include a letter with your application explaining that you want to change your current permission to stay Apply to update your visa .

Health and Care Worker visa

Overview

A Health and Care Worker visa allows medical professionals to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care.

Eligibility

Your job

To qualify for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must:

be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional
work in an eligible health or social care job
work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office
have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK
be paid a minimum salary - how much depends on the type of work you do

If you’re a care worker or senior care worker working in England, your employer must also be registered with the Care Quality Commission.

Check if your job is eligible.

You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply for your visa.

Knowledge of English

You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply.

If you’re not eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa

You may be eligible for another type of visa to work in the UK.

How long you can stay

Your visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it. You’ll need to apply to extend or update your visa when it expires or if you change jobs or employer.

If you want to stay longer in the UK

You can apply to extend your visa as many times as you like as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements.

After 5 years, you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’). This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.

How to apply

You must apply online.

How you apply depends on whether you’re:

outside the UK and are coming to the UK
inside the UK and extending your current visa
inside the UK and switching from a different visa

If you want to change your job or employer, you must apply to update your visa.

Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.

How long it takes

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

How much it costs

You, your partner or children will each need to:

pay the application fee
prove you have enough personal savings

Check how much money you’ll need.

Healthcare surcharge

You - and your partner or children - will not have to pay the healthcare surcharge.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

work in an eligible job
take on additional work in certain circumstances
do voluntary work
study
bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
travel abroad and return to the UK
apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements

You cannot:

apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
change jobs or employer unless you update your visa

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Health and Care Worker visa.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Health and Care Worker visa

Overview

Eligibility

Your job

Knowledge of English

If you’re not eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa

How long you can stay

If you want to stay longer in the UK

How to apply

How long it takes

Getting a decision

How much it costs

Healthcare surcharge

What you can and cannot do

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

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Health and Care Worker visa

Overview

Eligibility

Your job

Knowledge of English

If you’re not eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa

How long you can stay

If you want to stay longer in the UK

How to apply

How long it takes

Getting a decision

How much it costs

Healthcare surcharge

What you can and cannot do

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK