Health and Care Worker Visa
The Health and Care Worker Visa is designed for qualified doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and individuals in the adult social care sector who intend to work in eligible health or social care roles in the UK. This visa category is part of the broader Skilled Worker Visa route.
Key Features
Eligibility: Open to individuals aged 18 or over with qualifications in medicine, nursing, allied health professions, or roles within adult social care.
Settlement: Eligible for settlement in the UK after 5 years.
Dependents: Most applicants can bring their dependent partner and children, except for dependents of care workers and senior care workers (occupation codes 6145 and 6146).
Requirements
To qualify for a Health and Care Worker Visa, you must satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:
Occupation: You will work in a job specified under the relevant Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes for health or social care.
Employer: You have a job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office, with a valid Certificate of Sponsorship detailing your role.
Salary: Your salary meets or exceeds both the general salary threshold and the ‘going rate’ for your SOC 2020 occupation code.
Regulated Employers: If your job falls under SOC codes 6145 (Care workers and home carers) or 6146 (Senior care workers), your employer must be regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Language Skills: You are proficient in English at least to CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0).
Immigration Requirements: Your sponsor has paid the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) and you meet health and character requirements, including providing a criminal record certificate if working with vulnerable individuals.
Financial Sufficiency: You have adequate funds to support yourself in the UK without needing public funds.
Health Check: You have a valid tuberculosis (TB) certificate if required from your country of origin.
Additional Information
The Health and Care Worker Visa supports professionals in critical sectors of the UK economy, ensuring they meet specific criteria under the Skilled Worker Visa framework. For personalized guidance, considering individual circumstances, consulting an immigration lawyer is recommended.