Health & Care Worker Visa Help

Who the route is for

It is for doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and people in certain adult social care roles who have a job offer from an eligible employer, such as the NHS, an NHS supplier or a regulated care provider.

Main requirements

• A Certificate of Sponsorship from an eligible health or care sponsor
• A job in an eligible occupation
• Pay that meets the rules for the role
• English language
• Professional registration, where the role requires it

Documents commonly required

• Passport
• Certificate of Sponsorship reference
• Professional registration or qualification evidence
• English language evidence
• Criminal record certificate
• Tuberculosis test certificate, where required

Application process

Most applications are made online, followed by an identity and biometrics step. What happens in between depends on where you apply from and what the route requires.

• Confirm the route that fits your circumstances
• Check each requirement against your situation
• Gather and organise the supporting documents
• Complete the online application and pay the relevant fees
• Attend a biometrics appointment or complete identity checks
• Wait for the decision and respond to any request for more information

Dependants

Rules on bringing family differ between occupations within this route, and care roles carry restrictions. Check the position for your role before making plans for your family.

Applying from Albania or Kosovo

Applicants based in Albania or Kosovo can get help preparing the application and understanding the evidence relevant to their circumstances.

Documents not issued in English may need to meet applicable translation requirements.

Overseas qualifications may need to be recognised by the relevant UK regulator before you can be sponsored.

Already in the UK?

If you are already in the UK, you may be able to switch into this route or move to a new health or care employer with a new application.

Previous refusal or immigration problem?

If an earlier application was refused, or there is a problem in your immigration history, it is important to understand the reasons given before deciding what to do next.

A new application that does not deal with those reasons is likely to meet the same result.