If you’re a doctor, nurse, or care worker looking to build a career in the UK, the Health and Care Worker visa could be your way in. It’s part of the broader Skilled Worker system but tailored for health and social care roles. This means you can work with the National Health Service (NHS), its partners, or in adult social care without some of the usual hurdles.
What the Health and Care Worker Visa Is All About
As things stand in November 2025, the process hasn’t seen big overhauls recently. It’s designed to help fill gaps in the workforce, so if you’ve got the right qualifications and a solid job offer, getting approved is often quicker than other visa routes. The whole thing is handled online, and most people hear back within three weeks. For the full official breakdown, head over to the UK government’s Health and Care Worker visa page.
Who Can Apply: Breaking Down Eligibility
Getting eligible isn’t overly complicated, but you have to tick certain boxes. Let’s go through the main ones step by step.
Your Qualifications and the Job You’ll Do
First off, your role has to match specific occupation codes. Think things like general doctors (code 2211), nurses (2231), or care assistants (6131). For care workers, especially if you’re extending your stay, you might need to have been in a similar UK job for a few months already.
The rules got a small tweak earlier in 2025, so double-check your code against the latest list. If your sponsor certificate was issued before July 22, 2025, a few extra codes open up for switches or extensions.
Also Read: UK Skilled Worker Visa Process November 2025: Step-by-Step Guide for Global Applicants
Salary Expectations
Your pay needs to hit at least £25,000 a year or whatever the standard rate is for your job—whichever is higher. In the NHS, this often lines up with pay bands that vary by region. Care providers have to be registered with the Care Quality Commission too. There was an update to the immigration salary list on November 11, 2025, adjusting a couple of entries, but the basics remain the same.
Proving Your English
You’ll need to show you can handle English in everyday work—speaking, reading, writing, and listening. This is usually done with an approved test or a degree taught in English.
Other bits include having that all-important job offer and sponsor certificate. If something doesn’t fit, try the UK visa checker tool to see other options.
Documents You’ll Need to Gather
Paperwork is key here—miss something, and your application stalls. Start with these essentials:
- Your certificate of sponsorship reference number (your employer gives this)
- Proof of English skills, like test results
- A valid passport or other ID
- Details on your job: title, salary, occupation code
- Employer’s name and their sponsor licence number
You might also need a criminal record check if you’re coming from outside the UK, especially for patient-facing roles. Any docs not in English or Welsh? Get them translated and certified. And if you’re from a country where TB testing is required, include those results.
Ask your employer for the sponsor details if they’re not clear—it’s their job to provide them.
How to Apply: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to apply? Here’s how it works, whether you’re in the UK already or applying from home.
- Land a sponsored job: Get the offer and certificate of sponsorship first.
- Collect your documents: Everything listed above, plus any extras.
- Submit online: Do this up to three months before your start date.
- Biometrics appointment: If needed, book this to give fingerprints and a photo.
- Wait for the decision: Usually three weeks, or faster with priority service.
Switching jobs? Update your visa right away. Family can come along as dependants if they qualify.
What It Costs and Financial Proof
This visa is easier on the wallet than many others.
Fees at a Glance
Right now, in November 2025:
- Up to three years: £304 per person
- Over three years: £590 per person
Same whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK, and it covers you and any dependants. No fee hikes noted on November 11.
Showing You Can Support Yourself
Prove you’ve got £1,270 saved up (held for at least 28 days). Your sponsor can cover this instead, or it’s waived if you’ve been in the UK legally for a year.
No Health Surcharge
Big plus: You skip the usual immigration health surcharge. That means NHS care is free from the start, though you’ll pay for things like prescriptions in England.
| Duration | Fee (Outside UK) | Fee (Inside UK) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 years | £304 | £304 |
| Over 3 years | £590 | £590 |
Sponsorship: Employers and How It Works
Without a licensed sponsor, no visa. These are usually NHS trusts, private clinics supplying the NHS, or care homes. They issue the certificate of sponsorship with all your job specifics.
Want to become a sponsor? It costs £574 for small outfits or £1,579 for bigger ones, and approval takes around eight weeks. Check who’s already approved in the register of licensed sponsors—it’s updated daily, with the latest on November 10, 2025.
Hunting for Sponsored Jobs
Jobs with visa backing are out there in numbers. NHS Jobs alone has more than 1,120 listings tagging “visa sponsorship” right now—everything from healthcare assistants to specialist roles. Sites like Indeed turn up similar options.
Look for high-need areas like nursing or elderly care. Companies such as Agincare sponsor internationals with the right experience and language skills. Always confirm the employer’s licence in the official register.
How Long You Can Stay and Next Steps
Your visa can run up to five years, and you can extend as long as you still meet the rules. After five years total, apply for settlement—basically permanent stay.
What you can do:
- Work your main job, plus some extra in the same field
- Study
- Bring partner and kids
- Travel freely
- Volunteer
What you can’t: Claim most benefits or switch sponsors without updating.
Any Recent Changes in November 2025?
Just a minor update to the salary list on the 11th, tweaking a few codes. Fees are holding steady. Earlier shifts in July and October tightened things for care workers and students, but the core healthcare path is unchanged.