admin1. Introduction
This guide enables international applicants—nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, social care workers—to navigate the UK Health and Care Worker visa, Skilled Worker visa route, government reforms, and employer requirements. With updated policy changes effective 22 July 2025, it clarifies eligibility, salary thresholds, application steps, and compliance pitfalls. Trusted sources such as UK Visajobs, NHS Employers, and the Home Office inform this balanced and actionable roadmap.
2. UK Health and Care Worker Visa: Overview & Latest Policy Changes
What It Is and Who Qualifies
The Health and Care Worker visa is a sub-category of the Skilled Worker visa, reserved for eligible roles in NHS, adult social care, or NHS suppliers. Applicants require:
- A confirmed Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed sponsor
- A job at the appropriate RQF skill level (usually RQF 6+ after reforms)
- Salary meeting at least £25,000 or applicable national pay scale thresholds
- Proof of English proficiency and necessary qualifications
Key Changes Coming 22 July 2025
- Graduate-level requirement (RQF 6+) will become mandatory for new visa applications
- The social care worker visa route (SOC 6135/6136) will close to overseas recruits, but current visa holders can extend or switch until 22 July 2028
- Salary thresholds will rise (general threshold now £31,300; £25,000 for national pay scale roles)
3. Step 1: Verify Role Eligibility and Sponsor Licence
- Confirm your intended role is on the Eligible Occupation List for Health and Care Visa, such as Registered Nurse, Physiotherapist, or Social Worker
- Check if the employer is on the official Home Office register of licensed sponsors
- If applying as a care worker (SOC 6135, 6136), employer must also be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England
4. Step 2: Professional Registration & Qualifications
- Doctors, Nurses, Midwives, Allied Health Professionals must register with the UK regulator (e.g., NMC, HCPC) before applying
- For nursing: complete academic and OSCE requirements, pay registration (~£3,000+), and revalidation via the NMC
- Healthcare assistants may not require formal qualification, but NHS employers often require NHS-recognized training or NVQ level certificates
5. Step 3: Secure a Job and Certificate of Sponsorship
- Apply to NHS trusts, private healthcare providers, or social care organisations advertising roles with “Visa Sponsorship” on platforms like Jobs.NHS.uk, Indeed, and LinkedIn
- Example: many Registered Nurse roles offer salaried positions between £38,000–£54,000, with sponsorship available
- Employer issues you a Certificate of Sponsorship, valid for 3 months
6. Step 4: Meet Points-Based System Requirements
To qualify, you must score 70 points, broken down as:
- 20 points: Job offer from sponsor
- 20 points: Appropriate skill level (RQF 6+)
- 10 points: English proficiency
- 0–20 points: Salary scale or Shortage Occupation List status
- 20 bonus points: Job on Shortage Occupation List
In March 2025, the sponsorship salary threshold rose to £25,000 or applicable national pay scale—so confirm your offer meets or exceeds it
7. Step 5: Visa Application (Inside or Outside UK)
- Apply online via gov.uk; pay biometric enrolment, Immigration Health Surcharge exemption available
- Provide passport, CoS number, proof of funds (if required), English test results (IELTS, OET), professional registration evidence
- Attend biometric appointment and wait for visa decision (usually within 3–8 weeks)
8. Step 6: After Visa Grant – Relocation and Compliance
- Employer or NHS Trust may assist with relocation, temporary housing, orientation, and NHS induction
- Maintain visa compliance: full-time work, no recourse to public funds, appropriate salary, and report any change of employer or job role
9. Timing & Transition Considerations (Before July 2025)
Closing Window for Lower-Skill Roles (RPF 3–5)
Workers in care assistant roles currently on the Temporary Shortage List may no longer qualify after 22 July 2025 unless they already hold valid sponsorship.
Transition Period Until 2028
Existing visa holders in closed categories may continue extensions or job switches until 22 July 2028, provided they meet criteria (three months continuous sponsorship, salary, skill level, etc.)
10. Career Development & Immigration Pathway
- After five years under a Health and Care Worker visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
- ILR may lead to British citizenship, and you can sponsor dependants
- You may transition later to graduate-level roles (e.g., nursing specialist, research, diagnostics) to align with tightening visa policy
11. Risks and Exploitation Awareness
- Independent reports show migrant care workers being charged up to £20,000 by unscrupulous agents or employers before arrival, living in overcrowded conditions, and suffering abuse
- Since policy changes in 2025, care employers must demonstrate domestic recruitment efforts and improved working conditions
- It’s vital to avoid employers asking for upfront recruitment fees
12. Summary Table: Step-by-Step Checklist
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Confirm eligible occupation and RQF skill level |
| 2 | Register with UK regulator (NMC, HCPC, etc.) |
| 3 | Apply to licensed sponsor employers |
| 4 | Receive & use CoS to meet points requirement |
| 5 | Submit online visa application with documents |
| 6 | Relocate and begin work; comply with visa terms |
| 7 | Plan for five-year ILR path and career progression |
13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can entry-level care assistant roles get visa sponsorship today?
A: They may, if already covered by Temporary Shortage List and sponsored before 22 July 2025. New applicants will be restricted because of the RQF 6 requirement.
Q: What role salaries qualify for visa sponsorship?
A: Salaried roles in NHS bands (e.g. Band 5 RN: £29k–£34k) or social care national pay scale roles (starting at £25,000) satisfy thresholds.
Q: Can I bring my spouse and children?
A: Dependants may join you if your role is on the Health and Care Worker visa route and meets the required salary threshold.
14. Final Thoughts
Securing a health care job in the UK with visa sponsorship remains a viable pathway for skilled overseas applicants—especially as demand persists in NHS and social care sectors. Although reforms introduced from 22 July 2025 will restrict lower-skill routes, transitional arrangements give a window of opportunity. Professional registration, careful employer selection, and timely action are key to success.
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