Sağlık ve Bakım Çalışanı Vizesi, tıp ve sağlık profesyonellerinin NHS (National Health Service), NHS sağlayıcısı kurumlar veya yetişkin sosyal bakım alanında çalışabilmesi için Birleşik Krallık’a gelmelerine ve burada yaşamalarına olanak tanır. Bu vize, Skilled Worker (Nitelikli Çalışan) Vizesi’nin bir alt kategorisi olup, başvuru sahiplerinin belirli ölçüde Nitelikli Çalışan Vizesi gerekliliklerini karşılaması beklenir.
As of regulatory changes introduced in 2020, eligible individuals working in the social care sector have also been brought within the scope of this visa.
The Health and Care Worker Visa is a sector-specific and privileged immigration route, established to strengthen the UK’s healthcare workforce and facilitate the recruitment of skilled professionals into essential health and care roles.
Health and Care Worker Visa Requirements:
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Issued by the Employer:
To apply for a Health and Care Worker Visa in the United Kingdom, your employer must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is an electronic document that confirms the employer is a Home Office-approved sponsor and that they are offering you a role that meets the visa eligibility criteria. The CoS is generated digitally and contains a reference number that must be used during the visa application process.
Your Occupation Must Be Listed as an “Eligible Occupation”:
When preparing the Certificate of Sponsorship mentioned in the previous section, your employer must select the occupation code that corresponds to your role or is deemed the most appropriate match. The CoS is issued using this occupation code and is approved for use during the visa application process.
When assessing your application, the Home Office will consider the following:
- Whether your role appears on the official Eligible Occupations list,
- Whether you possess the skills, experience, and qualifications necessary to perform the role as described.
To access the full list of eligible occupation codes under the Health and Care Worker Visa and receive assistance in identifying the correct code, please contact us.
English Language Requirement:
You must demonstrate that you can read, write, speak, and understand English to at least B1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
The name and format of the approved English language tests for the Health and Care Worker Visa may vary depending on the test centre. In some cases, you may be exempt from the English language requirement. For example, if you are a doctor, dentist, nurse, or midwife and have already passed an English language assessment accepted by your relevant professional regulatory body, you will not be required to provide separate proof of your English proficiency.
For the most up-to-date guidance and tailored advice, please contact us.
Salary Threshold:
Under the Health and Care Worker Visa route, your annual salary must generally be at least £29,000 or meet the lower going rate set for your specific occupation, whichever is higher.
However, in certain exceptional cases, you may be eligible to apply with a salary below the lower going rate. In these cases, your salary may range between 70% and 90% of the lower going rate if you meet at least one of the following conditions:
- You are under the age of 26,
- You are a student, a recent graduate, or undergoing vocational training,
- You hold a PhD-level qualification in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM),
- You are employed in a postdoctoral research position.
- Even in such cases, your salary must not fall below £23,200 under any circumstances.
Example:
If the lower going rate for your occupation is £28,000, then your salary would normally be expected to be at least £29,000.
However, if you qualify under one of the special categories listed above, your salary may fall below the going rate, but must still meet the minimum threshold of £23,200, not simply 70% of £28,000 (which would be £19,600).
Visa Duration and Entitlements:
Length of Stay and Visa Extension:
Your stay in the United Kingdom under the Health and Care Worker Visa can range from 1 to 5 years. Once your visa expires, you may apply to extend your stay, provided you continue to meet the necessary conditions.
To be eligible for a visa extension, you must:
- Continue to perform the same job you declared in your initial visa application,
- Remain employed under the same occupation code,
- Still be working for the same employer who issued your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS),
- Continue to meet the required salary threshold.
Supplementary Employment:
Under the Health and Care Worker Visa, you are permitted to take on additional employment for up to 20 hours per week, provided that it does not overlap with the working hours of your primary job. The additional role must be in line with the occupation code of your main job.
If your second job exceeds 20 hours per week or involves a different occupation code, you must obtain a new Certificate of Sponsorship from the additional employer and update your visa accordingly.
Right to Live in the UK with Your Family:
Your spouse, unmarried partner, and/or children under the age of 18 may apply to join you in the UK under a dependent visa. Family members will have the right to live, study, and work in the UK for the duration of your visa.
For accurate and up-to-date information regarding dependent applications, please contact us.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR):
Upon completion of five years of continuous employment in the United Kingdom under the Health and Care Worker Visa, individuals may become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
For tailored guidance about the Health and Care Worker Visa process, please contact us directly.
Application Fees:
There are specific financial requirements for the Health and Care Worker Visa application. Applicants must demonstrate that they can support themselves financially in the UK by maintaining a minimum balance of £1,270 in their bank account for at least 28 consecutive days prior to the date of application. This amount is required to cover basic living expenses. However, if your employer agrees to cover this amount on your behalf, this must be explicitly stated in the Certificate of Sponsorship.
The application fee for a Health and Care Worker Visa varies between £304 and £551 per person, depending on the length of the application. This discounted fee is specific to healthcare professionals. Additionally, unlike the Skilled Worker visa, Health and Care Worker Visa applicants are exempt from the Health Services Surcharge.
If family members are included in the application, the following additional amounts must also be held in your bank account:
- £304 for a spouse or partner:
- £315 for the first child
- £200 for each additional child
To proceed with your application, all financial requirements must be met in full.
10 Questions About the Health and Care Worker Visa
Yes, the Health and Care Worker Visa allows qualified professionals to work in the health and care sector in the UK. This visa is intended for those working for the NHS, NHS suppliers, or in adult social care services.
For tailored guidance about the Health and Care Worker Visa process, please contact us directly.