How to Apply for a Health and Care Visa?

The Health and Care Worker Visa might be the perfect opportunity if you are a healthcare professional dreaming of working in the UK? This visa makes it easier for qualified medical professionals to work in the UK’s healthcare system. It also offers unique benefits, such as reduced fees and quicker processing. Ready to learn more? Let’s dive in!

What is the Health and Care Visa?

The Health and Care Visa, officially known as the Health and Care Worker Visa, is for care workers. It allows them to live and work in the UK while supporting its healthcare system. This visa comes with perks, like no Immigration Health Surcharge, and is tailored for people who make a difference in health and social care.

Difference Between Skilled Worker Visa and Health and Care Visa

The skilled Worker Visa and the Health and Care Worker Visa might look similar at first glance, but there are key differences. Let’s break it all down so you can decide which one fits your needs.

Health and Care Worker Visa

• No health surcharge! If you qualify, you’re completely exempt. It will save you thousands.
• The fees are much lower, just £284 for stays up to three years and £551 for longer stays.
• Fast-tracked! Healthcare workers get priority, so you could get a decision in as little as three weeks.
• Employers must be in the healthcare or social care sector. Think NHS, NHS suppliers, or adult social care providers.
• Focuses on healthcare. It includes doctors, nurses, care workers, paramedics, and more.
• Designed to bring healthcare professionals to the UK quickly to meet critical staffing needs.
• Holds a higher prestige due to its role in addressing healthcare shortages. It’s seen as vital and necessary.
• A targeted program to address urgent needs in health and adult social care.

Skilled Worker Visa

• This visa is for people in a wide range of professions, including engineers, IT specialists, teachers, and chefs. It covers many skilled jobs.
• Applicants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. This can be a hefty extra cost (around £624 per year).
• Fees range from £610 to £1,408 based on the length of your stay and where you’re applying from.
• Processing typically takes a few weeks, but it can vary.
• Your employer have to be an approved sponsor under the Skilled Worker scheme. As long as they’re on the sponsor list, they could be in any industry.
• Covers roles like IT specialists, engineers, teachers, and skilled trades.
• No special priority is given to any profession. Processing follows the standard queue.
• Seen as a visa for all skilled professionals. While respected, it doesn’t carry the same level of urgency.
• Built to fill skill gaps across all sectors.

Note: Both visas allow dependents (partners and children) to join you. However, with the Health and Care Visa, your dependents also benefit from the exemption of the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Who Can Apply for a Health and Care Visa?

As mentioned, if you’re a doctor, nurse, or social care professional with a job offer in the UK, you might qualify. The UK government must approve your employer and belong to sectors like the NHS or adult social care. Applicants should meet specific job requirements to ensure they align with the program’s goals. Read the Visa Library articles to learn about UK visas.

Health and Care Worker Visa Jobs in the UK

The Health and Care Worker Visa is designed for professionals who are passionate about health and social care. Here’s a list of some of the roles that qualify:

• Doctors: With medical qualifications (e.g., MBBS), GMC registration, and a job offer, you’re eligible—from GPs to specialists.
• Nurses: A nursing degree and NMC registration can land you roles in hospitals, clinics, or home care.
• Paramedics: A paramedic science degree and HCPC registration qualify you to work in life-saving, high-pressure environments.
• Midwives: A midwifery degree and NMC registration are key. Experience helps but isn’t mandatory.
• Social Workers: A social work degree and registration with Social Work England make you eligible to support vulnerable people.
• Care Workers and Home Carers: Little experience is needed to provide vital support to the elderly or disabled in care facilities or homes.
• Allied Health Professionals: Degree in your field (e.g., physiotherapy) and HCPC registration. Includes physiotherapists, radiographers, and more.

Health and Care Visa Requirements

If you’re dreaming of working in the UK as a healthcare professional, the Health and Care Worker Visa could be your ticket. Here is what you need:

• You need to find a job in healthcare or social care, such as a doctor, nurse, social worker, or paramedic.
• Your UK employer must give you a reference number (Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)). It proves they’re sponsoring your visa.
• Your job offer must come from an employer approved by the UK Home Office, like the NHS or an NHS supplier.
• Your job’s payment needs to be at least £23,200 per year or £10.75 per hour. Exceptions apply for Shortage Occupation roles.
• You need to show at least £1,270 in your bank account unless your employer covers your costs.
• A valid passport. you also ned to provide a criminal record certificate for safety purposes.
• A clear test result if you’re from a country that requires TB testing.
• Any necessary certifications or professional registrations tied to your role.
• Receipts of application fee payments. (£284 or £551 based on the duration). Dependents pay the same fee.

Health and Care Visa UK IELTS Requirement

If you’re applying for the Health and Care Worker Visa, you need to prove your English skills. In professional healthcare roles, you require high scores for registration with UK bodies. In such cases, the IELTS Academic version is needed, with scores such as:

• Listening: 4.0 to 7.0
• Reading: 4.0 to 7.0
• Writing: 4.0 to 6.5
• Speaking: 4.0 to 7.0

The general IELTS band score for key healthcare roles includes:

• Doctors: Overall 7.5, minimum 7.0 in each section.
• Nurses: Overall 7.0, minimum 7.0 in Listening, Reading, Speaking; 6.5 in Writing.
• Paramedics: Overall 7.0, minimum 7.0 in most sections; 6.5 in Writing.
• Midwives: Same as nurses—overall 7.0, minimum 7.0 in Listening, Reading, Speaking; 6.5 in Writing.
• Social Workers: Overall 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each section (varies by role).
• Care Workers and Home Carers: Overall 4.0 (CEFR Level B1), minimum 4.0 in all sections.
• Allied Health Professionals: Overall 7.0, minimum 7.0 in most sections; 6.5 in Writing.

However, not everyone needs it! If you’re from a majority English-speaking country, you’re exempt from taking the test. Countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are on this list. If you’ve earned a degree taught in English, you might also skip IELTS. Applicants from these countries usually need to take the IELTS:

• India
• Pakistan
• Nigeria
• Philippines
• Bangladesh
• Ghana
• Kenya
• Zimbabwe
• Sri Lanka
• And many others not classified as English-speaking by the UK government

Note: You might skip IELTS if your sponsor confirms your English proficiency through your qualifications.

How to Apply for a Health and Care Worker Visa?

So, you’ve landed a job in the UK’s healthcare sector. Congratulations! The next step is applying for your Health and Care Worker Visa. First, you need to approve your Health and Social Care Visa Sponsorship (CoS). Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process smoothly:

Step 1: Get a job with an approved employer (e.g., NHS or social care providers).

Step 2: Confirm the employer is a licensed sponsor.

Step 3: Receive a CoS with details like job title, salary, and contract length.

Step 4: Complete the Online Application

Visit the UK government’s visa application website. Carefully fill out the form with accurate details about your job, employer, and personal information.

Step 5: Pay the visa fee online:

• £284 for up to 3 years
• £551 for over 3 years

Step 6: Schedule and Attend a Biometric Appointment

Provide your fingerprints and a photo, which are required for your visa.

Step 7: Submit Your Application

Submit your application. Keep a copy of the confirmation for your records.

Step 8: Wait for a Decision

Decisions typically take about three weeks. If approved, you’ll get your visa, which will allow you to travel to the UK and start working in your healthcare role.

How Much is a Health and Care Visa in the UK?

The cost depends on how long you plan to stay. For up to three years, the fee is £284. For more than three years, it’s £551. The UK visa application system accepts the following payment methods:

• Credit or Debit Card: Most major cards are accepted, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
• Online Banking: If available in your region, you may be able to pay directly from your bank account.
• PayPal: In some countries, PayPal is an option for added convenience.

Once the payment is processed, you’ll receive a confirmation receipt. As part of the application process, you’ll pay an additional fee (usually around £19.20) for submitting your fingerprints and photo at a visa application center. This fee is separate from your visa payment.

Remember to:

• Ensure your card is enabled for international payments.
• Keep all payment confirmations safe.

Tier 2 Health and Care Visa Dependent

Yes! Your family can come with you to the UK on a Tier 2 Health and Care Worker Visa. Here’s what you need to know:

Who is a Dependent?

• Partner: Spouse, civil partner, or long-term unmarried partner (2+ years living together).
• Children: Under 18 or over 18 if already in the UK as your dependent and not living independently.

What Can Dependents Do?

• Work (some restrictions).
• Study.
• Access UK healthcare.
• Children can attend school.

Dependents must:

• Prove their relationship to you (marriage or birth certificate).
• Show financial support: £285 (partner), £315 (first child), £200 (each additional child).
• Have Biometric info (photo and fingerprints)

Why Choose Visa Library?

Navigating the visa process can feel overwhelming. That’s where Visa Library comes in. Our expert team simplifies the application process, answers your questions, and ensures you meet all the requirements. The Health and Care Worker Visa opens doors for healthcare professionals to build a career in the UK. For further inquiries, you can use our free consultation services.

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