Health and Care Worker Visa UK 2026: Costs, Fees, and Who Qualifies

The UK Health and Care Worker visa offers reduced fees, IHS exemption, and faster 3-week decisions for eligible healthcare roles. It is a dedicated sub-route of the Skilled Worker visa, designed for doctors, nurses, paramedics, allied health professionals, and adult social care workers sponsored by an approved UK employer. In 2026, it remains the cheapest skilled work route into the UK, with savings of more than GBP 5,000 per applicant compared to the standard Skilled Worker visa once Immigration Health Surcharge exemption is included.

What is the Health and Care Worker visa?

The Health and Care Worker visa is a dedicated stream within the UK's Skilled Worker visa system, created in August 2020 to attract overseas medical, nursing, and adult social care professionals to fill chronic workforce shortages in the NHS and the UK care sector. In policy terms it sits inside the wider Skilled Worker route, but Home Office caseworkers process it through a separate, faster channel, and applicants enjoy a distinct fee structure plus full Immigration Health Surcharge exemption.

The visa allows successful applicants to live and work in the UK for up to 5 years before extension, bring eligible dependants (spouse/partner and children under 18), and count time spent on the visa toward Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years of qualifying residence. Time on the Health and Care Worker visa also counts toward British citizenship eligibility one year after ILR is granted.

Crucially, the role being offered must appear on the official list of eligible Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes for the Health and Care Worker route — a narrower list than the full Skilled Worker eligibility. The role must also be at RQF Level 3 or above (with specific exceptions for senior care workers and care workers under SOC 6135 and 6136), and the sponsoring employer must hold a valid Health and Care sponsor licence.

Source: gov.uk Health and Care Worker visa pages, 2026 fee schedule and policy guidance.

How is it different from the standard Skilled Worker visa?

Although the Health and Care Worker visa is technically a sub-route of the Skilled Worker visa, the practical differences are significant enough that it should be treated as a separate route when planning costs and timelines. The two main savings are the application fee discount and the Immigration Health Surcharge exemption — but processing speed is also materially faster.

Feature	Health and Care Worker visa	Standard Skilled Worker visa
Application fee (up to 3 years)	GBP 300	GBP 769
Application fee (over 3 years)	GBP 590	GBP 1,519
Immigration Health Surcharge per year	GBP 0 (exempt)	GBP 1,035
Decision time (standard)	3 weeks	3-8 weeks
Salary threshold	GBP 25,000 / GBP 12.82 hr / going rate	GBP 38,700 / GBP 15.88 hr / going rate
Priority service available	Yes (GBP 500)	Yes (GBP 500)
Counts toward ILR	Yes — after 5 years	Yes — after 5 years
Eligible occupations	Restricted list (health and adult social care)	Full Skilled Worker SOC list

The Health and Care Worker visa also benefits from a lower salary floor — GBP 25,000 versus the general Skilled Worker minimum of GBP 38,700 introduced in April 2024 — recognising that nurses, junior doctors in training, and senior care workers earn less than the wider Skilled Worker salary median. Going rates for specific NHS roles are set with reference to the NHS Agenda for Change pay scales and the Medical and Dental pay scales, both of which are published openly by the Department of Health and Social Care.

For more detail on how going rates interact with the salary floor, see our companion guide on UK Skilled Worker going rates in 2026.

What does it cost? — fees, IHS exemption, total over 3 and 5 years

The headline number that makes the Health and Care Worker visa so attractive is its total 5-year cost — typically GBP 590 for the application plus GBP 0 IHS, against a standard Skilled Worker total of GBP 1,519 plus GBP 5,175 in IHS over the same period. That is a saving of GBP 6,104 per applicant before dependants are added.

Cost item	3-year visa	5-year visa
Application fee (out of country)	GBP 300	GBP 590
Immigration Health Surcharge	GBP 0 (exempt)	GBP 0 (exempt)
Biometric Residence Permit (where applicable)	GBP 19.20	GBP 19.20
English language test (typical)	GBP 150-200	GBP 150-200
TB test (selected countries)	GBP 65-100	GBP 65-100
Estimated total per applicant	GBP 534-619	GBP 824-909

Note that these figures cover the applicant only. Each dependant pays the same application fee (GBP 300 or GBP 590 depending on visa length) but, critically, dependants of a Health and Care Worker visa holder are also exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. That makes the H&C route a transformational saving for families — a spouse and two children on a 5-year visa save a further GBP 15,525 in IHS that they would otherwise have to pay on a standard Skilled Worker dependant visa.

The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is normally GBP 1,000 per year of sponsorship (or GBP 364 for small sponsors and charities). However, for sponsors classified by the Home Office as charities, public health bodies, NHS Trusts, or providers of personal care to vulnerable adults, the ISC is frequently waived. Most NHS Trusts and CQC-registered adult social care providers fall into one or more of these exempt categories.

For a full picture of all UK work visa fees, see UK visa sponsorship costs in 2026.

Who qualifies — eligible occupations

The Home Office maintains a specific list of Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa. Not every healthcare or care role qualifies — for example, hospital cleaners, administrative staff, and dental nurses without specific clinical qualifications fall outside the route, even when employed by an NHS Trust. The eligible list focuses on regulated clinical professions and adult social care.

SOC code	Occupation	Typical setting
2211	Medical practitioners (doctors)	NHS Trust, private hospital
2212	Psychologists	NHS mental health trust, private clinic
2213	Pharmacists	NHS hospital, community pharmacy
2215	Dental practitioners	NHS or private dental practice
2217	Medical radiographers	NHS imaging departments
2218	Podiatrists	NHS community services
2219	Health professionals not elsewhere classified	NHS Trust, allied health
2221	Physiotherapists	NHS, community, private
2222	Occupational therapists	NHS, local authority, private
2223	Speech and language therapists	NHS, schools, private
2231	Nurses (adult, child, mental health, learning disability)	NHS, care home, hospice
2232	Midwives	NHS maternity services
2442	Social workers	Local authority adult and children's services
3213	Paramedics	NHS ambulance trusts
6135	Senior care workers	CQC-registered care homes, domiciliary care
6136	Care workers and home carers (restricted — see July 2025 change)	CQC-registered adult social care

The differences between the main role types are significant in terms of training, pay, and visa pathway. Doctors and dental practitioners typically apply against an NHS Trust certificate of sponsorship with going rates ranging from GBP 32,000 for foundation-year doctors to over GBP 100,000 for consultant posts. Registered nurses (SOC 2231) typically have a going rate aligned to NHS Agenda for Change Band 5, currently around GBP 28,407. Paramedics and allied health professionals also broadly map onto Agenda for Change Band 5-7. By contrast, senior care workers under SOC 6135 have a going rate of around GBP 25,000 — the absolute floor of the route — while care workers under SOC 6136, where still permitted, are limited to in-country switches from existing visas only.

For role-by-role salary detail, see our companion piece on UK visa sponsorship salary thresholds 2026.

What's the salary threshold for the Health and Care Worker visa?

The salary rule for the Health and Care Worker visa in 2026 is built around three numbers, and the applicant must be paid at least the highest of:

• GBP 25,000 per year — the absolute general threshold for the H&C route, well below the GBP 38,700 floor on the general Skilled Worker visa.
• GBP 12.82 per hour — applied as an hourly floor, useful for shift-based roles where the contract is not strictly 37.5 or 40 hours.
• The going rate for the specific SOC code — published by the Home Office and aligned with NHS Agenda for Change or Medical and Dental pay scales for NHS roles. For private-sector and social care roles, going rates come from the Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

For NHS doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, this nearly always means the published Agenda for Change or Medical and Dental rate applies, because those rates exceed the GBP 25,000 floor. For senior care workers, the threshold typically binds at the GBP 25,000 / GBP 12.82 floor because the going rate from ASHE is broadly aligned with the National Living Wage tier.

Importantly, the salary stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) must reflect actual gross pay before tax. Tips, accommodation in lieu of salary, and signing bonuses are not counted toward the threshold. Where the role is part-time, the going rate is pro-rated, but the GBP 25,000 floor is not — meaning a part-time H&C visa role must still pay at least GBP 25,000 in actual cash terms, which is why most H&C sponsorships are full-time.

What changed for care workers in July 2025?

In July 2025, the Home Office implemented a significant restriction on the SOC 6136 care worker route. The previous open route for overseas care workers — which had grown explosively between 2022 and 2024 and drawn extensive criticism over exploitation and unsponsored arrivals — was effectively closed to new out-of-country applicants. The 2025 changes were as follows:

• Out-of-country applications under SOC 6136 ceased for new sponsors. Workers already in the UK on other visas (including expired sponsorships) remained eligible to switch.
• Care providers must first attempt to recruit displaced sponsored care workers already in the UK before being permitted to sponsor a new overseas hire under SOC 6136. The Home Office maintains regional displacement registers that providers must engage with via their CQC region.
• SOC 6135 (senior care workers) was unaffected — that route remains open both for in-country switches and out-of-country applications, subject to going rate and the GBP 25,000 floor.
• Sponsor licence revocations rose sharply following the changes, with the Home Office targeting sponsors who had recruited overseas care workers without sufficient genuine work to offer.

The practical upshot for 2026 is that anyone considering coming to the UK as a care worker (rather than senior care worker) needs to confirm whether the sponsor is permitted to hire from overseas under their CQC region's displacement rules, and should plan around the realistic possibility that an overseas care worker application will be refused on cohort grounds even where the salary and SOC code technically qualify.

For a much deeper guide to care worker options including SOC 6135, see Care worker visa UK 2026: routes that are still open.

Who can sponsor a Health and Care Worker visa?

Not every UK employer can sponsor a Health and Care Worker visa, even where the SOC code and salary qualify. The sponsoring organisation must hold a valid sponsor licence and must fall within one of the recognised health or adult social care employer categories. The Home Office maintains a public Register of Licensed Sponsors, which lists every approved organisation along with the visa route they can sponsor.

Eligible sponsor type	Examples	ISC status (typical)
NHS Trust / NHS Foundation Trust	University Hospitals Birmingham, Manchester University NHS FT, Guy's and St Thomas'	Often exempt
Integrated Care Board (ICB)	NHS regional commissioning bodies	Often exempt
CQC-registered care home / domiciliary care provider	HC-One, Barchester, Care UK home care branches	Often exempt (personal care to vulnerable adults)
Local authority adult social services	County and borough council adult services teams	Often exempt
Independent / private hospital with NHS contracts	Nuffield Health, Bupa, Spire Healthcare	May apply (varies)
Hospice / charity healthcare provider	Marie Curie, Sue Ryder, local hospices	Often exempt (charity status)

The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) exemption is one of the most underappreciated benefits of recruiting through the Health and Care Worker route for employers. A standard 5-year Skilled Worker CoS costs an employer GBP 5,000 in ISC (or GBP 1,820 for small/charity sponsors). For most NHS Trusts and personal-care-providing care homes, that charge is waived entirely, which removes a major financial barrier to sponsoring junior staff such as new-graduate nurses.

For a directory-style view of which NHS Trusts hold active H&C sponsor licences, see NHS Trusts with visa sponsorship in 2026. For the broader NHS hiring picture and how to find sponsored vacancies, see NHS visa sponsorship jobs UK 2026.

FAQ — Health and Care Worker visa 2026

Do I pay the Immigration Health Surcharge on this visa?

No. Holders of the Health and Care Worker visa, and all their dependants on the same application, are fully exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. This is the single largest cost saving on the route — saving GBP 1,035 per person per year, or over GBP 5,000 per applicant on a standard 5-year visa. The exemption applies automatically when you select the Health and Care Worker visa option in the online application; you do not need to claim it separately.

How long does the Health and Care Worker visa take to process?

Standard processing is approximately 3 weeks from the date of biometrics for applicants applying from outside the UK, and 8 weeks for in-country switches or extensions. Priority service (typically 5 working days) is available for an additional GBP 500, and super-priority (next working day) is available in some categories for an additional GBP 1,000. NHS Trusts often have established relationships with the Home Office that streamline document checks, but the official decision SLA is the same.

Can I bring my family on the Health and Care Worker visa?

Yes. You can bring your spouse or civil partner and any children under 18 as dependants. Each dependant pays the same application fee as the main applicant (GBP 300 or GBP 590 depending on visa length) but is also exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. Dependants are free to work in the UK in any role, study, and access most public services (though not most means-tested benefits while the main applicant's visa is subject to a No Recourse to Public Funds condition).

Can I switch into the Health and Care Worker visa from inside the UK?

Yes, in most cases. You can switch from another work visa, the Graduate visa, the Student visa (after completing your course), or various other categories, provided you have a valid CoS from a licensed Health and Care sponsor and meet the salary, English, and other requirements. You cannot generally switch from a Visit visa, a Seasonal Worker visa, or short-term routes without leaving the UK first.

Can I switch employers on a Health and Care Worker visa?

Yes, but you must apply for a new visa with a fresh CoS from your new sponsor before starting work. You cannot simply move between sponsors without notifying the Home Office. The new application carries its own fee (again at the reduced H&C rate) but you do not need to leave the UK, and there is no minimum service period with the original sponsor before you can move — although your contract may specify notice obligations.

Does this visa lead to settlement (ILR)?

Yes. Time spent on the Health and Care Worker visa counts toward Indefinite Leave to Remain on the standard 5-year continuous-residence route, provided you continue to meet salary, sponsorship, and absence rules. Once granted, ILR is unconditional UK residence, after which you can apply for British citizenship 12 months later. For the deeper rules on time qualifying and absences, see our guide on settlement timelines for sponsored workers.

Is the salary threshold really only GBP 25,000?

The general floor is GBP 25,000, but in practice you must be paid the highest of GBP 25,000, GBP 12.82 per hour, or the going rate for your specific SOC code. For most NHS clinical roles, the going rate exceeds GBP 25,000 — for example, a Band 5 nurse on Agenda for Change is paid around GBP 28,407, and that is what your CoS must reflect. The GBP 25,000 floor mainly binds for senior care worker roles and some entry-level allied health posts.

Can a care home sponsor me directly from overseas in 2026?

For senior care workers under SOC 6135 — yes, subject to going rate and salary rules. For care workers under SOC 6136, the post-July-2025 restrictions mean overseas hires are generally not permitted, and the sponsor must first demonstrate engagement with the regional displacement register to source sponsored care workers already in the UK. The route remains open to in-country switches under SOC 6136.

What happens if I lose my job on a Health and Care Worker visa?

Your sponsor must notify the Home Office when your employment ends. You then typically have 60 days (or until your visa expires, whichever is sooner) to find a new licensed sponsor, switch to a different visa category, or leave the UK. Many people use this window to switch to another Health and Care Worker sponsor — given the chronic vacancy levels across the NHS and CQC-registered care, an alternative role is often available, but the new CoS and visa application must be in place before the 60 days run out.

Final thoughts and where to read next

The Health and Care Worker visa remains the most financially attractive UK skilled work route in 2026, with savings of GBP 5,000-15,000 per applicant family compared to the standard Skilled Worker visa once IHS exemption and fee discounts are combined. The July 2025 care worker restrictions narrow one part of the route — but the wider H&C visa is alive, well, and actively used by NHS Trusts and the regulated adult social care sector to fill thousands of vacancies each year.

If you are planning an application, line up four documents before anything else: your CoS from a licensed H&C sponsor, your English-language test certificate (or qualifying degree taught in English), proof of qualifications and registration with the relevant UK regulator (NMC, GMC, GPhC, HCPC, GDC, Social Work England, etc. as applicable), and your TB test certificate where required by your country of residence.

For deeper companion reading, start with NHS visa sponsorship jobs UK 2026 for the wider hiring picture, then NHS Trusts with visa sponsorship for the licensed-sponsor directory, Care worker visa options for the post-July-2025 social care picture, UK visa sponsorship salary thresholds 2026, UK Skilled Worker going rates, and UK visa sponsorship costs 2026 for the full financial picture.

Source: gov.uk Health and Care Worker visa pages; Home Office Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules; NHS Employers Agenda for Change pay circulars; CQC sponsor guidance, 2026.