If you’re a qualified medical or social care professional looking to work in the UK, the Health and Care Worker visa offers a streamlined route with reduced fees and no Immigration Health Surcharge. It’s designed for roles with the NHS, organisations providing services to the NHS, or regulated adult social care providers.
Health and Care Worker Visa (UK) Lexen Law Guide
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This visa comes with no Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and lower application fees, saving applicants thousands over 5 years compared to other work routes.<br /> Most UK work visas require IHS (£1,035 per year per person). Health and Care workers are exempt, making this route financially attractive for medical professionals.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility focuses on your role, sponsor, salary and English level. You’ll need an offer from a licensed UK sponsor and a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that references the Health and Care route.
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Salary Requirements
Your pay must meet the higher of the general threshold and your occupation’s going rate. Some listed occupation codes follow alternative guidelines, and limited discounts may apply (e.g., new entrants/STEM PhD/postdoctoral roles).
How to Apply
You apply online under the Skilled Worker route and indicate you are applying for the Health and Care variation. Identity is verified via the UK Immigration: ID Check app or at a visa application centre.
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Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Your CoS is an electronic record from your sponsor. For Health and Care applications, the CoS should include a short explanation showing the role meets the route’s criteria; NHS contracted providers may need to evidence their contract.
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Approved Employers
You must be employed by an organisation properly registered and regulated within the UK health and care framework (e.g., NHS bodies, CQC regulated providers, equivalent regulators in devolved nations).
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Financial Requirement
Unless exempt, you must show funds for 28 consecutive days before applying. Sponsors can certify maintenance for the first month.
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English Language Requirement
You must demonstrate English to CEFR B1 in reading, writing, speaking and listening via test or accepted qualifications/exemptions.
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Fees
Health and Care applicants pay reduced fees and are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
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What You Can and Cannot Do
This route is flexible for work and study, with limits on public funds and certain job changes.
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Eligible Occupation Codes
The role must be on an eligible code (e.g., medical practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, AHPs, social workers, certain managers/technicians, and specific care roles).
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Expiry and Extensions
Visas are typically granted for up to five years and can be extended if you remain eligible and in the same role/occupation code with the same sponsor.
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Dependants
Partners and children can usually join—except for most care workers/senior care workers granted after March 2024 (subject to transitional rules).
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Refusals and Next Steps
If refused or rejected, your letter will explain options—administrative review, or reapplication.
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Switching to Health and Care
You may switch in-country if you meet all criteria and are not on an ineligible route (e.g., visitor, short-term student, seasonal worker, domestic worker, immigration bail, outside the Rules).
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Settlement (ILR)
After five continuous years on this route, you may qualify for ILR if you still meet salary and role requirements and pass the Life in the UK Test.
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Employer Guidance (Sponsors)
Employers need the right licence, must assign compliant CoS, and (for other routes) may owe the Immigration Skills Charge. Health & Care sponsors must include the route explanation on the CoS and evidence NHS contracting where relevant.
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How Lexen Law Can Help
We guide both employers and applicants through strategy, evidence preparation, CoS wording, maintenance and English requirements, and timing—reducing delays and refusals.
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