What is the UK Health and Care Worker visa and who can apply?

What the official guidance says

• To qualify you must be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional, work in an eligible health or social care job for a UK employer approved by the Home Office, have a certificate of sponsorship from that employer, and be paid a minimum salary that depends on the type of work.
• You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply.
• The job offer must be from the NHS, an organisation providing medical services to the NHS, or an organisation providing adult social care.
• Eligibility depends on the job’s 4-digit occupation code. GOV.UK lists the eligible codes, including doctors, nurses and midwives, paramedics, radiographers, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists and social workers.
• Care workers (code 6135) and senior care workers (6136) are listed only for people extending, updating or switching to this visa, not for new applications from outside the UK.
• The visa can last up to 5 years before you need to extend it, and you can extend it as many times as you like if you still meet the requirements.
• After 5 years you may be able to apply to settle permanently (indefinite leave to remain) if you meet the other eligibility requirements.
• You can apply up to 3 months before your job start date, and once you have applied, proved your identity and provided documents you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
• You, and your partner or children, do not pay the immigration health surcharge.

What it does not mean

• ✕It is not a job-seeker visa. You need the job offer and certificate of sponsorship first.
• ✕Being a nurse or doctor is not enough on its own: the employer must be approved and the job must be in an eligible occupation code.
• ✕It does not let you change employer freely. You must apply to update your visa if you change jobs or employer.

What to do next

1. 01Check your occupation code is on the eligible list on GOV.UK.
2. 02Work through your professional registration (for example NMC or GMC) alongside the job search.
3. 03Secure a job offer from a Home Office-approved health or care employer and receive your certificate of sponsorship.
4. 04Apply online within 3 months of getting the certificate, with your documents and evidence of English.

Questions

Official sources

• GOV.UK: Health and Care Worker visa
• GOV.UK: Health and Care Worker visa, your job

Checked October 2026. Immigration rules, fees and thresholds change, so confirm them on the official page before you act.

Related guides

• United KingdomHealth and Care Worker visa vs Skilled Worker visa: what is the difference?
• United KingdomWhat is a certificate of sponsorship for a UK work visa?
• United KingdomHow much does the Health and Care Worker visa cost?