Navigating the UK immigration system can be complex, especially for healthcare professionals looking to work in the country. The Health and Care Worker visa is a specialized pathway designed to attract skilled medical professionals to the UK, allowing them to contribute to the National Health Service (NHS) and other care organizations. This guide answers some of the most frequently asked questions about this visa, covering eligibility, family dependents, job flexibility, salary thresholds, and the route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
The Health and Care Worker visa offers an excellent opportunity for healthcare professionals to work in the UK, with a clear route to permanent residency. However, applicants must carefully consider eligibility requirements, financial obligations, and job security before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions About the UK Health and Care Worker Visa
1. Can My Family Join Me in the UK?
If you applied for your Health and Care Worker visa before 11 March 2024, your partner and children may apply as dependents. To qualify, you must meet one of the following conditions:- You are currently on a Health and Care Worker visa.
- You are extending your visa with the same employer.
- You are changing jobs but staying within the same occupation code.
2. What Happens If I Lose My Job?
If you are dismissed or leave your job, your employer must inform UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) within 10 working days. If you have more than 60 days left on your visa, UKVI may shorten ("curtail") it and grant you a 60-day grace period to either leave the UK or apply for a new visa.3. Can I Take on a Second Job?
Yes, you are permitted to take on supplementary employment for up to 20 hours per week in any qualifying occupation, provided it does not interfere with your primary job. Overtime in your main role is unlimited from an immigration standpoint, and you can also engage in unpaid voluntary work.4. Can I Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?
After five years of continuous residence in the UK under a Skilled Worker visa, which includes the Health and Care Worker visa, you may apply for ILR. You must meet the absence requirement, which stipulates no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period. Applications for ILR can be submitted up to 28 days before the completion of your five-year residence.5. What Is the Minimum Salary Requirement?
The minimum salary generally required for a Health and Care Worker visa is £29,000 per year, or the applicable rate for your role. However, if your salary is based on national pay scales, the minimum threshold is £23,200 per year, or the relevant salary for your specific job role.6. Can I Switch Jobs While on a Health and Care Worker Visa?
Yes, but you must update your visa if you:- Change employers.
- Switch to a different occupation code (unless you are in a graduate training program).
- Move from a job on the Immigration Salary List to one that is not.
7. What Are the Basic Requirements for a Health and Care Worker Visa?
To qualify, you must:- Be a qualified doctor, nurse, healthcare professional, or adult social care worker.
- Have a job offer in an eligible health or social care role.
- Work for a UK employer approved by the Home Office.
- Possess a certificate of sponsorship from your employer detailing your role.
- Pass criminal record checks for any country where you have lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years.
- Meet the salary, maintenance, and English language requirements.
8. Do I Need to Cover My Own Maintenance Costs?
Employers can certify maintenance for employees and their families. If they do not, you must prove you have at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before applying for the visa. Additional financial requirements apply to dependents.9. How Many Hours Per Week Does the Salary Threshold Cover?
Salary thresholds are based on a standard 40-hour workweek and must be adjusted proportionally for other working patterns. Sponsorship on zero-hour contracts is not permitted, and if hired through an agency, the end client must be the sponsor.10. Can I Prioritize My Second Job Over My Sponsored Role?
You cannot reject shifts from your primary sponsor to work more hours in a second job. Supplementary employment is limited to 20 hours per week and must be outside your main job’s working hours. A second sponsorship certificate is needed for secondary employment that exceeds 20 hours per week.11. Can My Employer Deduct Visa Costs From My Salary?
Employers may reclaim some visa-related costs from your salary under a contractual agreement. However, they cannot pass on the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) to employees, as UKVI prohibits this practice.12. Can My Dependents Work and Study in the UK?
Yes, dependents with PBS Dependent visas can work and study in the UK, with the following restrictions:- Work: They can work in any field except as a professional sportsperson (including sports coaching).
- Study: Study is allowed but may be subject to the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) conditions, requiring an ATAS certificate for certain disciplines.
Pros and Cons of the UK Health and Care Worker Visa
Pros:
- Streamlined pathway for healthcare professionals – A relatively fast-track process for qualified applicants.
- Potential for permanent residency – Leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years.
- Opportunities for family members – Eligible dependents can work and study in the UK.
- Job flexibility – Ability to take on supplementary employment and overtime.
- No Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) – Unlike other visa categories, applicants do not pay the IHS fee.
Cons:
- Restrictions on dependents for care workers – Those in certain roles cannot bring family members if they applied after 11 March 2024.
- Salary thresholds – Must meet minimum earnings criteria, which may not be achievable for all roles.
- Job continuity requirement – Losing a job triggers a strict timeline to find new employment or leave the UK.
- Visa sponsorship dependency – Workers must rely on employer sponsorship, limiting job mobility.
- Complex rules on secondary employment – Strict regulations on additional work hours.
The Health and Care Worker visa offers an excellent opportunity for healthcare professionals to work in the UK, with a clear route to permanent residency. However, applicants must carefully consider eligibility requirements, financial obligations, and job security before applying.
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