For NHS and Care Sector Professionals

Health and Care Worker visa: reduced fees, IHS exemption, CQC-regulated care roles, eligible SOC codes and settlement after 5 years of continuous employment.

Wesbridge Associates is an IAA-regulated UK immigration law firm. Our advisers support individuals, families and UK sponsors with skilled worker visas, sponsor licences, family routes, settlement (ILR), British citizenship, appeals and compliance — combining experienced legal advice with AI-powered self-service tools.

Reviewed by Wesbridge Associates' IAA-regulated immigration advisers. Last updated: July 2026.

The Health and Care Worker visa is a discounted branch of the Skilled Worker route for eligible medical professionals and adult social care workers sponsored by a licensed UK health or care employer. Wesbridge Associates advises NHS trusts, private healthcare providers and care groups on Certificates of Sponsorship, and supports doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and senior carers with entry clearance, in-country switches and settlement.

Who qualifies

You need a job offer from a UK sponsor with a Health and Care Worker add-on to its licence, in an eligible SOC 2020 occupation (for example medical practitioners in 2211, nurses in 2231, midwives in 2232, allied health professionals in 2213-2229, and — for the time being — senior care workers in 6135 and care workers in 6136 under transitional rules). You must meet the job's going rate or the route salary floor, whichever is higher, hold English at CEFR B1, and pass the standard suitability checks. The role must be for the sponsor itself, not a third party, and — for care providers in England — the sponsor must be CQC-registered and carrying out a regulated activity.

Salary, IHS and fee benefits

Health and Care Worker applicants pay a reduced Home Office fee (currently £284 out-of-country / £551 in-country up to 3 years; £551 / £1,083 over 3 years) and are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge and, for their sponsor, from the Immigration Skills Charge. Salary must meet the going rate for the SOC code — including nationally negotiated NHS Agenda for Change pay bands where applicable — and, where a discount route is used (new entrant, PhD, shortage), the route-specific floor. Care workers and senior care workers have a distinct minimum defined in Appendix Skilled Worker.

How it works with Wesbridge

Step 1 — sponsor and role check: we confirm your employer holds a Worker licence with the Health and Care Worker add-on and that the SOC code and salary are compliant. Step 2 — Certificate of Sponsorship: we draft or review the CoS narrative and salary breakdown so it withstands Home Office scrutiny. Step 3 — application: online form, English evidence (or MRCP/PLAB/NMC/OSCE exemption), TB test where required, criminal record certificate for roles in Appendix FIN. Step 4 — biometrics (UKVCAS in-country or VAC overseas) and decision (priority 5 working days available). Step 5 — post-arrival compliance: right-to-work check, HMRC/NMC/GMC registration and diary the 5-year point for ILR under the Skilled Worker route.

Route to settlement

Time on the Health and Care Worker visa counts towards Skilled Worker Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 continuous years, subject to the 180-day rolling absence rule, ongoing sponsorship in an eligible role, salary at ILR levels, English at CEFR B1 and the Life in the UK test. Dependants (partner and children under 18) can apply in line, work freely and access the NHS. Note the Home Office has announced restrictions on new overseas recruitment into care worker roles — take advice before relying on the 6135/6136 codes.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Immigration Health Surcharge really waived?

Yes — the main applicant and their dependants are exempt from the IHS while on the Health and Care Worker visa, and any IHS paid in error is refunded. You still get full NHS access. Extensions and switches within the route remain IHS-exempt.

Can I switch from Student or Graduate visa to Health and Care Worker?

Yes. If you have a qualifying job offer from a Health and Care Worker sponsor and meet the salary and English requirements you can switch in-country from most routes (except visitor and short-term study). Your Student time does not count towards ILR, but time on Health and Care Worker does.

Are care worker jobs still open to overseas applicants?

The rules for SOC 6135 (senior care workers) and 6136 (care workers) are tightening — the Home Office has closed new entry clearance applications in these codes from spring 2025, with transitional arrangements for people already in the UK. Always take current advice before recruiting or applying in these occupations.

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