The Health and Care Worker visa is one of the most frequently used entry routes into the UK. It enables medical workers to come to the UK, where they can live and work in an eligible job for the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care.
make an enquiryFrom 1 January 2021, a new points-based visa system (PBVS) for skilled workers was introduced to replace the Tier 2 (General) work visa.
All non-UK nationals coming into the country to work must now demonstrate the following:
When the PBVS was introduced most of the eligible healthcare jobs were for highly-qualified, higher-paid roles, such as doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, anaesthetists etc. and roles which required A-level qualifications and above.
However, many of the key-roles required urgently by the NHS, such as care workers, health support workers, and home carers, do not fulfill the requirements for a ‘Skilled Worker’ visa.
From 15 February 2022, new immigration rules made it possible for care workers and home carers from overseas to apply for a Health and Care Worker visa – a new subcategory of the Skilled Worker route.
Initially introduced on a temporary basis for a 12-month trial period, the new Health and Care Worker visa has been introduced to recognise the shortage of workers in certain healthcare roles and that many of the roles are filled by non-UK nationals. The list includes:
The Home Office has said it will review the success of the temporary scheme in late 2022. There is a possibility that other roles will be added to the current list.
To apply to enter the UK on a Health and Social Care Worker visa you must have a confirmed job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor before completing your visa application – eligible employers will be the NHS, organisations providing services to the NHS, or an organisation providing adult social care.
Further requirements are as follows:
Healthcare workers from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, and their family members, who were living in the UK prior to 31 December 2020 were required to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if they wished to remain.
If you, or your family members missed the deadline of 30 June 2021 you may still be able to apply. Check here to see if you are eligible to make a late application.
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