.svg)
- The UK Health and Care Worker Visa offers a faster, lower-cost immigration route specifically designed for NHS, private healthcare, and CQC-registered care providers to hire international talent.
- To qualify, employers must hold a valid sponsor licence and ensure roles match eligible SOC codes with compliant salaries (typically £25,000+ or the role’s going rate).
- High-skilled healthcare roles like nurses, doctors, and therapists remain fully eligible for new visa applications, while medium-skilled roles are increasingly restricted and mostly limited to extensions or switches.
- Using technology-enabled immigration support, like Jobbatical’s platform, can streamline sponsorship compliance, accelerate onboarding, and reduce hiring timelines by up to 40%.
HR leaders in mid-sized organizations are well aware of the challenges involved in building a resilient healthcare workforce in the UK. With an aging population and ongoing staffing shortages in the NHS and private care sectors, attracting skilled international talent has become essential for business continuity and high-quality patient care.
The UK Health and Care Worker Visa provides a streamlined pathway for qualified healthcare professionals to relocate and contribute to these organizations—without the complexities associated with the general Skilled Worker route.
This guide outlines the eligible healthcare occupations, sponsorship requirements, and practical steps employers must follow. Whether the focus is on hiring nurses, therapists, or care managers, a clear understanding of these details ensures compliance and accelerates onboarding.
Jobbatical’s technology platform further simplifies the immigration and relocation process, helping mid-sized companies secure top global talent efficiently.
Understanding the UK Health and Care Worker Visa: A Quick Overview
Launched in 2020 as part of the UK's post-Brexit immigration reforms, the Health and Care Worker Visa targets the NHS, social care providers, and related organizations. It's designed for doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and adult social care workers who can fill critical gaps in the UK's healthcare ecosystem.
Unlike the broader Skilled Worker Visa, this route waives the Immigration Health Surcharge and offers lower application fees (around £232 for up to three years). It's a five-year pathway to settlement, making it attractive for long-term hires. For employers, the key perk? Faster processing times often just three weeks and reduced administrative hurdles when sponsoring eligible roles.
To qualify, candidate must have:
- A job offer from an approved UK sponsor (e.g., NHS trusts or CQC-registered care providers).
- English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS 4.0 or equivalent).
- A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from you, the employer.
As an employer, you'll need a valid sponsor licence essential for mid-sized organizations expanding into UK healthcare operations. This visa isn't just about recruitment; it's a strategic tool for scaling your team's global mobility while meeting regulatory demands.
Key Eligibility Criteria for Healthcare Roles Under the Visa
Eligibility hinges on the occupation matching specific codes from the UK's Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2020 system. Roles must be genuine, skilled positions in the health and care sector, with no self-employment allowed.
For Applicants
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified professional (e.g., registered nurse or doctor) with relevant credentials recognized in the UK.
- Salary Threshold: At least £25,000 annually or the "going rate" for the role (whichever is higher), pro-rated for part-time work.
- Job Duration: At least 3 months initially, with full-time hours (or equivalent part-time).
- Criminal Record: Clean checks from their home country if required.
For Employers
- Sponsor Status: Your organization must hold a Home Office-approved sponsor licence. If you're new to this, apply via the UKVI portal—processing takes about 8 weeks, with fees starting at £574 for small/medium entities.
- Compliance: Ensure the role aligns with national pay scales (e.g., NHS Agenda for Change bands) and adheres to working hours rules. For care worker roles in England, registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is mandatory.
- CoS Issuance: Assign the correct SOC code and provide supporting evidence like job descriptions. Applications must be submitted within 3 months of CoS issuance.
Pro tip for HR pros: Use tools like the CASCOT occupation coder to match job titles precisely—mismatches can lead to refusals.
High-Skilled Healthcare Occupations Eligible for Initial Applications
The majority of initial visa applications fall under high-skilled roles (RQF Level 6+), covering clinical, managerial, and scientific positions. These are open to new entrants from overseas, making them ideal for mid-sized firms ramping up specialist teams.
Here's a comprehensive table of eligible high-skilled healthcare roles, including SOC codes and key details:
These roles represent the backbone of UK healthcare staffing. For instance, specialist nurses (2233) saw over 10,000 visas issued in 2024 alone, highlighting their priority status.
Medium-Skilled Roles: Options for Extensions and Switches
While initial applications favor high-skilled positions, medium-skilled roles (RQF Level 3-5) are available for visa extensions, updates, or switches under transitional rules. As of July 2025, these are restricted: eligibility requires a CoS issued before 22 July 2025, plus continuous holding of a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa since then.
Key medium-skilled eligible roles include:
- 1231: Health care practice managers (extensions/updates only).
- 3211: Dispensing opticians.
- 3213: Medical and dental technicians.
- 3219: Health associate professionals n.e.c. (e.g., healthcare assistants).
- 6132: Ambulance staff (excluding paramedics).
- 6133: Dental nurses.
- 6135: Care workers and home carers (England: CQC-registered employer required).
- 6136: Senior care workers.
For switches from other visas, candidates must have worked for you legally for at least 3 months. This pathway is crucial for retaining support staff, but plan ahead—post-2025 rules may tighten further.
Salary, Sponsorship, and Compliance Essentials for Employers
Salaries must meet or exceed:
- General threshold: £25,000/year.
- Going rate: Varies by SOC code (e.g., £29,000 for nurses, £88,000 for consultants). Check NHS pay bands for accuracy.
As a sponsor, employer responsibilities include:
- Issuing CoS via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
- Reporting changes (e.g., absences over 10 days) within 10 days.
- Ensuring accommodation and right-to-work checks.
Non-compliancecan result into fines up to £20,000 per worker or licence revocation. For mid-sized HR teams, this underscores the value of automated platforms like Jobbatical's—streamlining CoS tracking and compliance audits.
How Jobbatical Streamlines UK Healthcare Visa Hiring for Your Team
Navigating SOC codes, sponsor licences, and relocations shouldn't drain your HR bandwidth. At Jobbatical.com, our end-to-end platform connects mid-sized organizations with pre-vetted global healthcare talent, handles visa paperwork, and manages relocations across Europe including seamless UK integrations.
Why choose us?
- Talent Matching: AI-driven searches for eligible roles like registered nurses or physiotherapists.
- Visa Expertise: Dedicated advisors ensure 100% compliance, from CoS to settlement.
- Relocation Support: Housing, onboarding, and family integration for faster productivity.
Ready to sponsor your next healthcare star? Start your free talent search on Jobbatical today and cut hiring time by 40%. Or, explore our UK immigration guides for more HR insights.
.svg)
