Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Health and Care Worker Visa, applicants must:
- Job Offer : Have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office as a sponsor.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) : Obtain a valid CoS from the sponsoring employer.
- Eligible Occupation : Work in an eligible health or care occupation listed in the official occupation codes.
- Salary Requirements : Meet the minimum salary threshold, which varies depending on the occupation and applicant's qualifications.
- English Language Proficiency : Demonstrate the ability to speak, read, write, and understand English.
- Maintenance Funds : Show evidence of sufficient funds to support oneself and any dependents during the stay.
Required Documentation
Applicants must provide:
- Valid passport or travel document
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Evidence of maintenance funds
- Criminal record certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of qualifications and professional registration (if applicable)
Application Process
- Prepare Documents : Gather all necessary documentation.
- Online Application : Complete the application on the official UK government website.
- Biometrics Appointment : Attend a biometric appointment to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
- Decision : Wait for the Home Office to process the application and make a decision.
Recent Changes (Effective from 9 April 2025)
- Recruitment Prioritisation : Employers in England are now required to prioritise recruiting international care workers already in the UK before recruiting from overseas.
- Salary Thresholds : The minimum salary for care workers and senior care workers has increased to align with the National Minimum Wage and reflects current pay scales in the health and care sector.
- Salary Deductions : Employers are prohibited from passing on certain costs (such as sponsor licence fees or Certificate of Sponsorship fees) to their sponsored workers.
Application fees
The standard application fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:
- up to 3 years - £304 per person
- more than 3 years - £590 per person
The fee is the same whether you apply from inside or outside the UK.
For personalized advice and assistance with the Health and Care Worker Visa application process, please contact our team of experts
