Health and Care Worker Visa
Fast-track route for eligible NHS and senior care roles.
Fee
£304 – £590
IHS
Exempt
Duration
Up to 5 years, extendable
Processing
3 weeks
Overview
For qualified doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. The route closed to overseas recruitment of care workers (SOC 6135/6136) from 22 July 2025 following the Immigration White Paper — domestic recruitment only for new care worker applicants.
Eligibility
- Job offer from the NHS, an NHS supplier, or (for pre-existing applicants only) an approved adult social care employer
- Certificate of Sponsorship from licensed sponsor
- Occupation on the eligible SOC code list for healthcare
- Salary at or above the relevant threshold (NHS-national-pay-scale rates apply for medical roles)
- English language B1 CEFR (B2 from 2026 for non-medical applicants)
Required documents
- Passport
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- English language evidence
- Enhanced DBS / criminal record certificate
- Registration with GMC, NMC, HCPC or other relevant UK professional body
- Evidence of qualifications
How to apply
- 1Get a qualifying job offerAccept a role from an approved health or care sponsor on the eligible list.
- 2Register with UK professional bodyGMC (doctors), NMC (nurses), HCPC (AHPs) etc. — can often start in parallel.
- 3Obtain Certificate of SponsorshipEmployer issues CoS — valid 3 months.
- 4Apply onlineApply up to 3 months before start date. IHS is waived.
- 5Biometrics & decisionAttend VAC and receive decision — typically 3 weeks.
Key notes
- No Immigration Health Surcharge — substantial saving vs Skilled Worker.
- Care worker (SOC 6135/6136) route: closed to new overseas recruitment from 22 July 2025.
- Existing care workers in the UK can still extend and switch employers until 2028.