The Health and Care Worker visa is a UK work visa route designed for qualified doctors, nurses, health professionals, and adult social care workers who have a job offer from the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care. It offers faster processing, lower fees than the Skilled Worker visa, and a direct pathway to permanent settlement after five years. uk skilled worker visa uk skilled worker visa requirements uk skilled worker visa requirements 2026

This guide covers the complete health and care worker visa UK requirements, including eligibility criteria, salary thresholds, job types, application documents, and recent policy changes.

What Is the Health and Care Worker Visa?

The Health and Care Worker visa is a specialist work route for medical and care professionals. You must be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional, or adult social care professional with a confirmed job offer from an approved UK employer in the health and social care sector.

The visa was introduced to support recruitment in critical healthcare roles. It carries lower application fees and exempts holders from the Immigration Health Surcharge, unlike the standard Skilled Worker visa. You can start using the NHS for free from the date your visa starts, though you will still need to pay for some services such as prescriptions, dental treatment, and eye tests, as stated on GOV.UK.

Core Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Job offer: You must have a confirmed job offer from an approved UK employer before you apply. Your employer must hold a valid sponsor licence from the Home Office.
  • Certificate of Sponsorship: Your employer will issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that includes your job details, salary, and sponsor licence number.
  • Eligible job: Your role must be on the list of eligible health and care occupations and meet the required skill level.
  • Minimum salary: You must be paid at least £31,300 per year or the "going rate" for your occupation code, whichever is higher, as set out in .