The UK health and care worker visa allows qualified professionals to migrate to the UK to work in eligible medical and care occupations. Key requirements for the 2024 visa program include having a confirmed job offer from a licensed UK employer, meeting English language and salary thresholds, obtaining a valid Certificate of Sponsorship reference number from the sponsoring employer, and completing mandatory health screening.
Applicants in eligible occupations such as doctors, nurses, therapists, care assistants, and other allied health fields can qualify. Successful visa holders can work in the UK’s National Health Service, private clinics, care homes and other approved healthcare settings initially for up to 5 years. They can also bring eligible dependents.
After 5 years of continuous UK employment, health and care workers can apply to transition to permanent settlement status. Streamlined rules for 2024 aim to make it easier for accredited British healthcare providers to sponsor foreign talent through a dedicated visa category.
Who Qualifies for the Health and Care Worker Visa?
The UK health and care worker visa is open to professionals with a job offer from a licensed UK employer in an eligible occupation. This includes doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, occupational therapists and other allied health professionals. To qualify in 2024, the main requirements are:
UK Health and Care Worker Visa Keywords: Having an eligible health or care profession, meeting English language requirements, having a job offer from a licensed UK employer, meeting salary requirements for the occupation, obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship, meeting tuberculosis testing requirements.
Eligible Professions
The eligible professions covers most skilled medical and patient care occupations. This includes senior care workers, nursing assistants, physical therapists, medical technologists, speech therapists, psychologists, pharmacists, dentists, and midwives. The full list of eligible occupations is published online by the UK Home Office.
Meeting English Language Requirements
Applicants must prove their English language capability, with different requirements depending on the occupation. For doctors, dentists and other medical professionals, an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 7.0 is required. For nursing and midwifery professionals, the required IELTS score is 7.0 in all categories.
Having a Job Offer from a Licensed Employer
A key criteria is having a valid job offer from a UK employer with an appropriate sponsor license. Employers must be approved by the UK Home Office in order to sponsor foreign health and care professionals. Major hospitals, medical clinics, care homes, private practices and other accredited healthcare providers can apply for a sponsor license.
Salary Requirements
The salary offered in the job offer must meet occupation-specific salary requirements. These minimum salary requirements are based on the standard UK pay rate for health and care professionals working in the National Health Service or private providers. The salary requirements ensure visa holders are paid equally based on local rates.
Obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship
In addition to the job offer letter, employers must provide applicants a Certificate of Sponsorship with a valid reference number. This document certifies that the licensed sponsor wishes to employ the foreign health worker, and has carried out resident labor market testing to ensure no qualified settled workers are available for the position.
Meeting Tuberculosis Screening Requirements
Applicants from certain countries are required get a tuberculosis test from an approved medical provider. This must be done no more than 6 months prior to the visa application submission date. The test results or a medical certificate showing the applicant is free from infectious tuberculosis must be provided with the application.
Health and Care Worker Visa Application Process
The visa application process requires submission of proof of qualifications, English language ability, financial support, tuberculosis testing, and sponsorship documentation. Here are the step-by-step instructions for applicants:
UK Health and Care Worker Visa: Online application form, application fee payment, document checklist, attending biometrics appointment, receiving decision
Complete the Online Application Form
Applicants must complete the online application for a Skilled Worker visa from their country of residence. All biographic details, contact information, and answers to background questions are submitted electronically.
Pay the Visa Application Fee
As of 2024, the visa application fee for health and care workers is £232. After completing the application form, applicants must make payment online using a credit or debit card.
Prepare the Required Documents
In addition to the application form and payment, applicants must submit all required documents either electronically or through a document scanning service. This checklist includes passport biodata page, qualifications/resume, English test results, job offer letter, Certificate of Sponsorship, tuberculosis test results if applicable.
Attend a Biometrics Appointment
Applicants outside the UK must visit an application center in their country to provide fingerprints and facial photograph. The visa application decision and background checks require this biometric information.
Receive a Visa Application Decision
Standard visa processing time is 3 weeks. The UK Home Office reviews all materials then makes a decision. If approved, applicants receive an entry clearance sticker to place in their passport. This allows travel to the UK as a health and care worker.
Bringing Family Members
Licensed sponsors can also support visa applications for eligible dependents. This includes legal spouses/partners and children under age 18. Family members can apply for entry clearance at the same time as the main health worker visa holder. They must prove their relationship with supporting documents.
Duration of Stay
The initial length of stay with a health and care worker visa is up to 5 years. Visa holders can transition to settlement status after completing 5 years of continuous employment with their UK sponsor. This allows health professionals and families to establish long-term residency rights.
Visa Extensions and In-Country Applications
Health and care workers on existing visas sponsored by employers can apply to extend their stay. Licensed sponsors can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for existing employees to support the extension application. Those already working in the UK health system can also apply to switch their visa in-country.
Conclusion
The UK continues to encourage migration of skilled health professionals through the dedicated health and care worker visa. Streamlined requirements for 2024 aim to make recruitment easier for accredited employers. By fulfilling eligibility criteria and following proper application procedures, doctors, nurses, therapists and care professionals have excellent prospects immigrating to the UK. The visa offers a long-term pathway to live and work in Britain through settlement options. Health workers make a valuable contribution to UK communities.
