UK Health and Care Worker Visa Employer-Managed by Jobbatical

Struggling with Hiring International Healthcare Talent? We Help with UK Health and Care Worker Visa Services

The UK Health and Care Worker visa, also referred to as the health and social care visa or healthcare worker visa UK, is a dedicated sub-route of the Skilled Worker visa for eligible medical professionals sponsored by the NHS, NHS suppliers, or CQC-registered care providers. To sponsor an employee under the Health and Care Worker visa, employers must hold a valid sponsor licence, assign a Certificate of Sponsorship, and meet the 2026 salary thresholds £25,000+ for roles on national pay scales or £31,300+ for other eligible occupations.

UK Health and Care Worker visa benefits for employers

• Recruit qualified non-UK doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals at a £25,000+ salary threshold far below the £41,700 standard Skilled Worker requirement
• Save over £5,000 per employee on a 5-year sponsorship through the Immigration Health Surcharge exemption and reduced visa fees
• Support sponsored healthcare employees on a pathway toward Indefinite Leave to Remain and long-term retention in the UK

Common challenges when hiring through the UK Health and Care visa route

• Employers must verify role eligibility against the health and care visa occupations list and correct SOC codes before assigning a CoS
• Care worker and senior care worker roles closed to overseas recruitment in July 2025, with in-country switching rules applying only until July 2028
• HR teams must stay updated on evolving salary thresholds, English language requirements (B2 from January 2026), and sponsor licence compliance duties in the care sector