The health and care visa UK route has become one of the most important pathways for overseas medical professionals, care workers, and NHS recruits seeking employment in the United Kingdom. Since its introduction, the visa has helped thousands of nurses, support workers, senior carers, and allied health professionals build long-term careers in the UK’s healthcare sector.
But with frequent policy updates, tighter employer compliance checks, and recurring public debate about when is the UK care visa ending, it has become essential for applicants to clearly understand how the route works — and what the health and care visa UK requirements actually involve in 2026.
Before exploring the full list of eligibility rules, documentation standards, and employer obligations, it’s helpful to understand the purpose of the route and how it differs from a typical UK work visa.
What the Health and Care Visa UK Is Designed For
The health and care visa UK pathway is part of the Skilled Worker category, but it is specifically tailored for professionals working in roles that directly support the NHS, an NHS supplier, or the broader UK adult social care sector.
Compared to other work routes, this visa offers several advantages:
- Reduced visa fees
- Fast-tracked processing, usually 3 weeks
- No Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) — a major benefit compared to other routes where applicants must pay the IHS fee for Skilled Worker visa
- Lower salary thresholds for eligible care and medical roles
- Simplified documentation for dependants
Because of these tailored benefits, the route remains one of the most accessible and sought-after options among nurses, carers, and support staff planning to apply for work visa UK. If you’re exploring broader work options, you can also read our guide on “Move to UK for Work | How to Apply?” for a full overview of the UK work application process.
Why the Route Became So Popular
The UK’s healthcare system continues to face long-term staffing challenges, particularly across:
- Adult social care
- NHS nursing
- Mental health services
- Community care
- Residential homes
- Specialist medical units
This shortage has driven high demand for both clinical and non-clinical staff. For example, many employers seek support worker with visa sponsorship applicants to address ongoing workforce gaps in home care and residential care settings.
The health and care visa UK helps fill these gaps by allowing certified employers to recruit qualified candidates from overseas under a regulated sponsorship system. However, because of misuse by some non-compliant care providers, the government introduced stricter rules in 2024–2026.
This means meeting the health and care visa UK requirements is now more important than ever for successful approval.
Clearing Up the Biggest Question: “When Is the UK Care Visa Ending?”
Many applicants worry that the route is being closed entirely. It is not. The visa remains active, but certain categories — particularly entry-level care roles — now have more restrictions.
What has changed:
- Care workers and senior carers can still apply, but only if their employer is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
- Dependants are no longer permitted for most care roles, a change that created significant confusion in 2024.
- Sponsors must meet stricter compliance and financial requirements.
These updates led to widespread speculation about when is the UK care visa ending, but the government has clarified that the route will continue, with enhanced oversight to prevent misuse and non-compliant recruitment practices.
What Employers Look for in 2026
While the visa itself is government-regulated, recruitment standards vary between NHS trusts, care homes, and private healthcare providers.
Most UK employers typically evaluate candidates based on:
- Work experience in a health or care setting
- Practical skill level
- English communication ability
- Professional training certificates
- Confidence and suitability for high-responsibility care roles
For healthcare assistants, senior carers, and care workers, employers may request:
- Caregiving experience
- Manual handling training
- Dementia care knowledge
- First aid and safeguarding experience
For clinical roles (nurses, physiotherapists, radiographers, etc.), employers often require:
- Recognised qualifications
- Professional licensing (e.g., NMC registration)
Because the health and care visa UK is tied directly to employment, the strength of the job offer is just as important as meeting the visa requirements themselves.
Who the Visa Is For
The route is available to a wide range of healthcare professionals, including:
Eligible medical roles
- Nurses
- Doctors
- Radiographers
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Paramedics
- Midwives
- Laboratory technicians
- Pharmacists
- Medical scientists
Eligible social care roles
- Senior care workers
- Care workers
- Home carers
- Support workers (in regulated settings)
The key requirement is that your job must appear on the list of eligible SOC codes approved for the health and care visa UK.
Why Understanding the Requirements Matters
Because immigration rules shift frequently, relying on outdated online information can result in refused applications, loss of sponsorship opportunities, or long delays in your relocation timeline. If you’ve faced a refusal before, you can explore our guide on: “Reapplying after visa rejection UK | A Step-by-Step Guide” to understand how to submit a stronger application next time.
Clear understanding of the health and care visa UK requirements helps you:
- Avoid missing key documents
- Ensure your sponsor is eligible
- Meet the correct salary threshold
- Confirm whether dependants are allowed
- Avoid applying under a role that is no longer eligible
- Prepare for compliance checks and additional evidence requests
The next sections of the blog will break down each requirement in detail — from salary rules to English language standards, sponsorship responsibilities, CQC regulation, and settlement options.
For now, the essential takeaway is that the health and care visa UK remains a vital and active route for overseas workers, but navigating it successfully requires up-to-date knowledge and careful preparation.
Full Breakdown of the Health and Care Visa UK Requirements
A clear understanding of the health and care visa UK requirements is vital for applicants working toward a sponsored role in health or social care. Although this visa sits within the Skilled Worker framework, it operates with its own criteria and exemptions. The Home Office applies specific rules for sponsorship, job eligibility, salary thresholds, and supporting documents, and each part must be met accurately to ensure approval.
The following breakdown outlines the exact requirements an applicant and their sponsoring employer must satisfy under the current immigration rules.
1. A Valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Your application for the health and care visa UK cannot begin until you receive a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer. This CoS includes:
- Your job title
- Your SOC code
- Your salary
- Your start date
- Confirmation that your job qualifies for the health and care route
- Details proving the employer meets eligibility requirements
Employers must also confirm that they are recruiting you for a genuine role and that the job falls under NHS employment, an NHS supplier, or a CQC-regulated care provider.
Because of recent compliance issues in the care sector, every support worker with visa sponsorship offer now requires enhanced due diligence. Employers that cannot prove genuine staffing needs risk licence suspension or refusal of their issued CoS.
2. Employment Must Be in an Eligible Role
Your job must appear under the list of eligible SOC codes approved for the health and care visa UK pathway. These include medical professionals like:
- Nurses
- Doctors
- Physiotherapists
- Radiographers
- Paramedics
- Occupational therapists
And approved social care roles such as:
- Senior care workers
- Care workers (in regulated settings)
- Home carers
- Support workers under a CQC-authorised employer
This SOC code requirement is also tied to the ongoing discussions around when is the UK care visa ending, which has caused confusion for many prospective applicants. While the visa is not ending, the Home Office is tightening the definition of eligible roles and employers to prevent misuse within the sector.
3. Correct Salary Requirements
Salary is one of the most important health and care visa UK requirements. Your job offer must meet:
- The minimum salary threshold set for your SOC code
- The going rate for the role, unless exemptions apply
- Adjusted salary rules for certain shortage occupation roles
In late 2024 and early 2025, salary rules were updated across all work routes, including healthcare jobs. Salary thresholds increased for most Skilled Worker roles — which is why many candidates now compare costs and rules with the IHS fee for Skilled Worker visa under other routes.
Fortunately, the health and care visa UK still has reduced salary requirements for eligible medical and care roles, and the IHS exemption continues to provide major savings.
4. Employer Must Be an Approved Sponsor
Not every care home, clinic, or private company can hire international workers. Your employer must:
- Hold a valid Worker Sponsor Licence
- Be registered with the Care Quality Commission (for care sector roles)
- Have passed compliance checks
- Provide evidence of genuine staffing needs
For medical roles, the employer must be:
- The NHS
- An NHS supplier
- A medical or clinical organisation with approved sponsorship status
Because of misuse in the care sector, the Home Office has increased on-site inspections and introduced penalties for employers who fail to meet sponsorship rules. This is one reason applicants frequently ask about when is the UK care visa ending, although the route continues to operate with stricter oversight.
5. English Language Requirement
Applicants must meet the English language requirement at CEFR Level B1 in:
- Speaking
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
This can be proven by:
- Passing an approved English test
- Holding a UK degree
- Holding a degree taught in English
- Being a national of a majority English-speaking country
The health and care visa UK does not have more relaxed English rules compared to other work routes — proficiency remains essential because of the responsibilities involved in caring for vulnerable individuals.
6. Tuberculosis (TB) Test Requirement
You must provide a TB test certificate if applying from a country where screening is required:
- Test must be taken at a Home Office–approved clinic
- Certificate must be less than six months old
- Dependants usually need a TB test too
- You’re exempt if you lived in a non-TB-listed country for six consecutive months before applying
7. Criminal Record Certificate (Care and Medical Roles)
Anyone applying for social care or healthcare positions must provide police clearance from any country where they lived for 12+ months over the past decade.
This requirement applies to:
- Nurses
- Doctors
- Senior carers
- Care workers
- Mental health support workers
Because safeguarding is central to the role, this is a strict component of the health and care visa UK requirements.
8. You Must Apply From a Genuine Job Offer
The Home Office places strong emphasis on ensuring that every role linked to a health and care visa UK application is genuine and compliant. Your employer must demonstrate that:
- They interviewed you or assessed your experience
- The role is a real vacancy that meets UK labour demands
- The job is not created solely for sponsorship
These checks are especially crucial for support worker with visa sponsorship roles, where fraudulent job offers and non-compliant agencies have previously been reported.
9. Financial Requirement (Maintenance Funds)
Most applicants applying under the health and care visa UK route are exempt from proving personal savings if:
- Their employer certifies maintenance on the CoS
If not, you must show:
- £1,270 in your bank account
- Held for at least 28 days
Dependants (where allowed) require additional funds. Because dependant rules changed in 2024, especially in the care sector, many applicants now seek clarity before they apply for work visa UK through the healthcare route.
10. No Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
One major benefit of the health and care visa UK is that applicants are fully exempt from the IHS. This saves thousands of pounds compared to other Skilled Worker routes.
Since the IHS fee for Skilled Worker applicants increased significantly, many people compare the costs by reviewing how the surcharge works for other categories. You can explore our blog: UK Immigration Health Surcharge Refund Process: A 2025 Guide to understand the refund system and see why the health and care route remains one of the most cost-effective options.
11. Documents Required for the Health and Care Visa UK
To successfully apply for the Health and Care Visa UK, applicants must prepare a complete set of supporting documents. Providing accurate evidence is critical, as missing or incorrect documents can lead to delays or outright refusal. If you have experienced a refusal due to missing documents or incorrect evidence, our guide: “Skilled Worker Appeal | Visa Application, Refusal, and Appeal” explains the steps you can take to challenge a decision.
Below is the full list of documents you will typically need.
1. Valid Passport
You must provide a current passport with at least one blank page. Older passports may be required to demonstrate travel history.
2. Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Your UK employer must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship, which includes:
- Your job title
- Occupation code
- Salary
- Employment start date
- Sponsor licence number
- Confirmation that the job is eligible
The CoS is essential—your application cannot be submitted without it.
3. Proof of English Language Ability
Acceptable evidence includes:
- IELTS for UKVI
- PTE Core / PTE Academic for UKVI
- Trinity Secure English Language Test
- A degree taught in English
- Citizenship from a majority English-speaking country
This is compulsory unless exempt by nationality or qualification.
4. Criminal Record Certificate
Required for health and care roles to ensure suitability for vulnerable populations. You must provide a certificate from each country you lived in for 12+ months over the last 10 years.
5. Evidence of Qualifications (If Applicable)
Depending on your role, you may need:
- Nursing degree and NMC registration
- Medical degree and GMC licence
- HCPC registration for allied health professions
- Training certificates for care/support workers
Employers often guide applicants on exact requirements.
6. TB Test Certificate
If you are applying from a country listed by UKVI, you must provide a tuberculosis test certificate from an approved clinic.
7. Proof of Financial Support
You may need to show you can support yourself unless your employer certifies maintenance on your CoS.
Evidence may include:
- Recent bank statements
- Savings meeting UKVI thresholds
- Sponsor’s financial confirmation
Most Health & Care employers offer maintenance assistance.
8. Employment Contract or Offer Letter
Although not always mandatory, it is useful to include your:
- Contract
- Job offer letter
- Employment terms
This supports the information on your CoS.
9. Relationship Documents (If Applying with Dependants)
For dependants, the following are required:
- Marriage certificate (for partner)
- Birth certificates (for children)
- Proof of ongoing relationship (photos, joint bills, tenancy agreements, etc.)
10. Accredited Translations
Any document not in English or Welsh must be supplied with a certified translation.
How to Apply for the Health and Care Visa UK – Step-by-Step
Applying for the Health and Care visa involves a clear sequence of steps, but accuracy is important to avoid delays or refusals. Below is a complete breakdown of the application process from start to finish.
1. Confirm You Meet the Eligibility Requirements
Before applying, ensure that you:
- Have an eligible job with a licensed UK health or care sector sponsor
- Meet the salary requirement
- Can demonstrate English language proficiency
- Hold the necessary professional qualifications (if required)
- Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
This is the foundation of your application.
2. Gather All Required Documents
Prepare your:
- Passport
- CoS
- English language certificate
- Criminal record certificate
- TB test (if applicable)
- Proof of funds (unless exempt)
- Qualification documents
- Dependants’ documents (if applicable)
Organising these upfront prevents delays later.
3. Complete the Online Application Form
You must submit your application on the official UK Government visa portal.
You will need to:
- Enter your personal details
- Provide your CoS number
- Confirm your employer
- Declare your immigration history
- Upload required documents
- Pay the application fee
Because the Health and Care visa is prioritised, the form is slightly shorter than the standard Skilled Worker route.
4. Pay the Visa Fee
Health and Care workers benefit from reduced visa fees compared to other applicants.
Additionally, applicants do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which significantly lowers costs.
5. Book and Attend a Biometrics Appointment
Depending on your country:
- You will attend a Visa Application Centre (VAC)
- Provide fingerprints and photographs
- Submit original documents where required
Some applicants may be eligible to use the UK Immigration ID Check app instead.
6. Wait for Your Application Decision
Processing times are usually:
- 3 weeks if applying from overseas
- 8 weeks if switching from inside the UK
The Health and Care visa is prioritised, so many applicants receive results even faster.
7. Receive Your Decision and Collect Your Visa
If approved:
- You will receive a vignette (entry visa) in your passport
- You must travel to the UK within the validity period
- You will collect your BRP on arrival or activate your online immigration status, depending on the process used
8. Start Work in the UK
Your visa will specify:
- Your employer
- Your job role
- Your start date
- Work permissions
You can now begin your role in the UK health or care sector.
Conclusion: Your UK Healthcare Journey Starts with the Right Support
Understanding the Health and Care Visa UK requirements is essential for anyone planning to work in the UK’s expanding healthcare sector. With frequent updates to sponsorship rules, eligibility criteria, and compliance checks, having the right guidance can make the difference between a delayed application and a smooth approval. The Health and Care Visa UK offers faster processing, reduced costs, and long-term stability — but only when every requirement is met accurately and on time.
Whether you’re a nurse, senior carer, support worker, or allied health professional, the Health and Care Visa UK provides a reliable pathway to build a secure future in the UK. By ensuring your documentation, employer sponsorship, and role eligibility all meet Home Office standards, you can confidently take the next step toward your healthcare career in the UK.
Ready to Start Your UK Health & Care Visa Journey? Let’s Make It Happen
If you’re unsure whether you meet the Health and Care Visa UK requirements or you want expert support with your application, Salam Immigration is here to help.
Our specialists provide:
- Tailored eligibility assessments
- Full application preparation & documentation support
- Guidance for dependants and family members
- Sponsorship advice for employers
- End-to-end case management until approval
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