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- Cost Savings Highlight: No Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) applies to Health and Care Worker visa holders or their dependants - a major saving of £1,035 per person per year compared to standard Skilled Worker routes. Application fees start at £304 for up to 3 years (or £590 for more than 3 years), with the same fees applying to dependants.
- Flexible Salary Thresholds: Meet the £25,000 minimum (or £12.82/hour) for most national pay scale roles (e.g., many NHS Agenda for Change positions like nurses), or the occupation-specific going rate - whichever is higher. For non-national pay scale health roles, the general threshold is £31,300 . Reduced rates apply if salary is at least £25,000 and the applicant qualifies as a new entrant (under 26, recent graduate, in training), PhD holder (STEM or non-STEM discounts), or similar.
- Rapid Processing: Expect 3 weeks standard decisions for main applicants outside the UK (prioritized due to sector shortages). Opt for the priority service (additional fee) to reduce to 5 working days if needed. In-UK extensions or switches often align with similar fast tracks. (Updated: Standard remains 3 weeks; priority option to 5 days confirmed in current guidance.)
As a mid-sized organization navigating the talent shortage in the UK's health and care sector, attracting skilled international professionals is key to maintaining operational excellence. The UK Health and Care Worker Visa remains a vital route for sponsoring nurses, care workers, therapists, and other essential roles from abroad. But with evolving requirements in 2026, understanding the financial implications, salary benchmarks, and timelines is crucial for HR leaders and global mobility managers.
In this guide focuses on the latest on UK Health and Care Visa costs, salary thresholds, and processing times. Whether you're sponsoring a single care assistant or building a team of specialists, this information will help you budget effectively and streamline recruitment. At Jobbatical, our technology platform simplifies the entire immigration process for seamless relocations across Europe.
Understanding the UK Health and Care Visa: Why It Matters for Your Business
The Health and Care Worker Visa, a subset of the Skilled Worker route, allows eligible employers to sponsor overseas talent for roles in high-demand areas like nursing, social care, and therapy. No healthcare surcharge applies, making it cost-effective compared to other visas. As of 2025, it's prioritized to address NHS and care sector shortages, with streamlined rules for Immigration Salary List (ISL) jobs.
For mid-sized firms, this visa reduces barriers to hiring, but success hinges on compliance with fees, salaries, and timelines. Let's dive into the details.
UK Health and Care Visa Costs: What Employers and Applicants Need to Budget For
Sponsoring under the Health and Care Visa involves upfront costs for both you (as the sponsor) and the applicant. Importantly, there's no Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)-a major saving, as applicants can access NHS services from day one without extra fees. Here's a breakdown of the key expenses as of July 2025:
Application Fees
These are paid by the applicant but often reimbursed by employers as part of relocation packages. Fees depend on visa length:
- Dependants (partner/children): Same fees apply per person.
- Biometrics Fee: Included in the application (no separate charge).
- Priority Service (Optional): For faster decisions, add £500 (inside UK) or £1,000 (outside UK) per applicant useful for urgent hires.
Financial Requirement for Maintenance
Applicants must show they have £1,270 in savings (held for 28 days) to support themselves upon arrival unless you're covering their first month's costs via your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This exemption applies if the applicant has worked in the UK for 12+ months on a valid visa.
Sponsor Costs
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Free for ISL-eligible Health and Care roles (e.g., care workers). Otherwise, £239 per CoS.
- Sponsor Licence: One-time fee of £574 (small charities) or £1,579 (medium/large organizations), valid for 4 years. Processing takes ~8 weeks.
Pro Tip for HR Teams: Factor in relocation support-Jobbatical's platform automates CoS issuance and compliance checks, potentially saving 20-30% on admin costs.
Salary Thresholds for the UK Health and Care Visa: Meeting the Going Rate in 2025
To qualify, job offer must meet the higher of the occupation's "going rate" or a £25,000 annual minimum far lower than the standard Skilled Worker threshold of £38,700. Many health and care roles qualify for reduced rates (e.g., 70% of going rate) if the salary hits £25,000 and the worker is a new entrant (under 26, in training, or switching from student visa).
Salaries must align with national pay scales (e.g., NHS Agenda for Change) and exceed the UK minimum wage. Below is a table of common eligible occupations from the ISL, with standard and lower thresholds (pro-rated hourly rates in parentheses):
- Eligible Occupations Overview: Includes 30+ codes like medical practitioners (2211-2212), therapists (2221-2229), social workers (2461), and care roles (6131-6136). Check the full list on GOV.UK for your specific role.
- Tradeable Points: PhD holders in relevant fields can qualify at 70-90% of the going rate, but must still meet £25,000 minimum.
Employer Insight: Align offers with these thresholds to avoid CoS rejections. Jobbatical's tools integrate salary calculators to ensure compliance while benchmarking against European markets.
Processing Times for the UK Health and Care Visa: From Application to Approval
The Home Office prioritizes Health and Care applications to fast-track talent into the sector— a boon for time-sensitive hires. Expect these timelines as of 2025:
- Main Applicant (Outside UK): 3 weeks from biometrics submission.
- Main Applicant (Inside UK - Extensions/Switches): 3 weeks.
- Dependants: Up to 8 weeks.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (Your Side): 1-8 weeks, depending on your sponsor status.
Priority services can shave this to 5 working days (additional fee applies). Delays may occur for incomplete docs, so double-check English proficiency and qualification proofs.
Streamline Your UK Health and Care Visa Sponsorship with Jobbatical
Navigating UK Health and Care Visa costs, salary thresholds, and processing times doesn't have to be overwhelming. By sponsoring via this route, you're not just filling roles—you're investing in a diverse, resilient workforce for Europe's care sector.
Ready to sponsor your next health professional? Jobbatical.com's end-to-end platform handles everything from job matching to visa compliance, with dedicated support for mid-sized HR teams. Contact us today for a free consultation and start attracting top talent hassle-free.
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