Health and Care Worker visa

Printable version

1. Overview

A Health and Care Worker visa allows medical professionals to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care.

Eligibility

Your job

To qualify for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must:

  • be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional
  • work in an eligible health or social care job
  • work for a UK employer that바카라 사이트™s been approved by the Home Office
  • have a 바카라 사이트˜certificate of sponsorship바카라 사이트™ from your employer with information about the role you바카라 사이트™ve been offered in the UK
  • be paid a minimum salary - how much depends on the type of work you do

If you바카라 사이트™re a care worker or senior care worker working in England, your employer must also be registered with the .

Check if your job is eligible.

You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply for your visa.

Knowledge of English

You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. You바카라 사이트™ll usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply.

If you바카라 사이트™re not eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa

You may be eligible for another type of visa to work in the UK.

How long you can stay

Your visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it. You바카라 사이트™ll need to apply to extend or update your visa when it expires or if you change jobs or employer.

If you want to stay longer in the UK

You can apply to extend your visa as many times as you like as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements.

After 5 years, you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as 바카라 사이트˜indefinite leave to remain바카라 사이트™). This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you바카라 사이트™re eligible.

How to apply

You must apply online.

How you apply depends on whether you바카라 사이트™re:

If you want to change your job or employer, you must apply to update your visa.

Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your 바카라 사이트˜dependants바카라 사이트™ if they바카라 사이트™re eligible.

How long it takes

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application, you바카라 사이트™ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You바카라 사이트™ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you바카라 사이트™ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you바카라 사이트™ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

How much it costs

You, your partner or children will each need to:

  • pay the application fee
  • prove you have enough personal savings

Check how much money you바카라 사이트™ll need.

Healthcare surcharge

You - and your partner or children - will not have to pay the healthcare surcharge.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

  • work in an eligible job
  • take on additional work in certain circumstances
  • do voluntary work
  • study
  • bring your partner and children with you as your 바카라 사이트˜dependants바카라 사이트™, if they바카라 사이트™re eligible
  • travel abroad and return to the UK
  • apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as 바카라 사이트˜indefinite leave to remain바카라 사이트™) if you바카라 사이트™ve lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements

You cannot:

  • apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
  • change jobs or employer unless you update your visa

If your application is successful, you바카라 사이트™ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Health and Care Worker visa.

2. Your job

You must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa:

  • you바카라 사이트™re a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional
  • your job is eligible for this visa
  • you바카라 사이트™ll be working for a UK health and care sector employer that바카라 사이트™s been approved by the Home Office
  • you바카라 사이트™ll be paid the minimum salary or the 바카라 사이트˜going rate바카라 사이트™ for the type of work you바카라 사이트™ll be doing - whichever is higher

Your employer must make sure your job pays at least the minimum wage and follows the UK rules for how many hours a week you work. If your employer does not do this, your application will be refused.

Check if your job is eligible

Before you can find out if your job is eligible, you need to know its 4-digit occupation code.

If you already have a job offer, ask your employer for your occupation code.

Look up your job바카라 사이트™s occupation code

If you do not know your code, you can search for your job in the바카라 사이트¯.

Not every job title is included. If you cannot find your exact job title, try searching for similar jobs.

Make sure the job description matches what you바카라 사이트™ll be doing. Some jobs in the same area of practice have different codes, for example dentists and dental hygiene therapists.

Check if an occupation code is eligible for this visa

Your job must be in one of the following occupation codes to qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa:

  • 1171: health services and public health managers and directors
  • 1231: health care practice managers
  • 1232: residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
  • 2113: biochemists and biomedical scientists
  • 2114: physical scientists
  • 2211: generalist medical practitioners
  • 2212: specialist medical practitioners
  • 2221: physiotherapists
  • 2222: occupational therapists
  • 2223: speech and language therapists
  • 2224: psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists
  • 2225: clinical psychologists
  • 2226: other psychologists
  • 2229: therapy professionals not elsewhere classified
  • 2231: midwifery nurses
  • 2232: registered community nurses
  • 2233: registered specialist nurses
  • 2234: registered nurse practitioners
  • 2235: registered mental health nurses
  • 2236: registered children바카라 사이트™s nurses
  • 2237: other registered nursing professionals
  • 2251: pharmacists
  • 2252: optometrists
  • 2253: dental practitioners
  • 2254: medical radiographers
  • 2255: paramedics
  • 2256: podiatrists
  • 2259: other health professionals not elsewhere classified
  • 2461: social workers
  • 3111: laboratory technicians
  • 3211: dispensing opticians
  • 3212: pharmaceutical technicians
  • 3213: medical and dental technicians
  • 3219: health associate professionals not elsewhere classified
  • 6131: nursing auxiliaries and assistants
  • 6132: ambulance staff (excluding paramedics)
  • 6133: dental nurses
  • 6135: care workers and home carers
  • 6136: senior care workers

Approved UK health and care sector employers

You must have a job offer from an approved UK employer before you apply for a Health and Care Worker visa. Approved employers are also known as sponsors, because they are sponsoring you to come to or stay in the UK.

You must have a job offer from:

  • the NHS
  • an organisation providing medical services to the NHS
  • an organisation providing adult social care

Read the guidance to see a full list of eligible employers.

If your employer is not currently approved, they can apply for a sponsor licence if they바카라 사이트™re eligible.

They바카라 사이트™ll need to pay a fee - £574 for small businesses and charities or £1,579 for medium and large organisations. It usually takes around 8 weeks to process a licence application.

If you바카라 사이트™re a care worker or senior care worker

Your employer must be registered with the Care Quality Commission if you바카라 사이트™re a care worker (code 6135) or senior care worker (code 6136) working in England.

.

If you already have a job offer from an approved employer

Your employer - also known as your sponsor - will check that you meet the eligibility requirements. They바카라 사이트™ll give you a 바카라 사이트˜certificate of sponsorship바카라 사이트™ to prove this.

The certificate of sponsorship is an electronic record, not a physical document. It will have a reference number, which you바카라 사이트™ll need for your visa application.

You must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship.

Check which documents you바카라 사이트™ll need to apply.

Salary requirements

You바카라 사이트™ll usually need to be paid at least £25,000.

If the 바카라 사이트˜going rate바카라 사이트™ for your job is higher than £25,000, you바카라 사이트™ll usually need to be paid at least the going rate.

Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. How you find the going rate depends on your job.

When you need to meet different salary requirements

You바카라 사이트™ll need to meet different salary requirements for this visa if your job is in one of the the following occupation codes:

  • 1171: health services and public health managers and directors
  • 1231: health care practice managers
  • 1232: residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
  • 2113: biochemists and biomedical scientists
  • 2114: physical scientists
  • 3111: laboratory technicians
  • 3211: dispensing opticians
  • 3212: pharmaceutical technicians
  • 6135: care workers and home carers
  • 6136: senior care workers

Find out the going rate if your job is in one of these occupation codes - including when your employer can pay you less.

If you바카라 사이트™re doing any other health and care job

Check how much you need to be paid in the table of national pay scales for eligible healthcare jobs.

Salaries are listed by NHS pay band and area of the UK you바카라 사이트™ll be working in. Ask your employer if you바카라 사이트™re not sure what your role or pay band will be.

3. If you바카라 사이트™ll need to meet different salary requirements

You바카라 사이트™ll need to meet different salary requirements for this visa if your job is in one of the following occupation codes:

  • 1171: health services and public health managers and directors
  • 1231: health care practice managers
  • 1232: residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
  • 2113: biochemists and biomedical scientists
  • 2114: physical scientists
  • 3111: laboratory technicians
  • 3211: dispensing opticians
  • 3212: pharmaceutical technicians
  • 6135: care workers and home carers
  • 6136: senior care workers

If your job is in any other occupation code that is eligible for this visa, you must meet the salary requirements described in 바카라 사이트˜Your job바카라 사이트™.

Salary requirements

You바카라 사이트™ll usually need to be paid at least £29,000 per year, or the lower 바카라 사이트˜going rate바카라 사이트™ for your job, whichever is higher.  

Example

Your salary is £30,000 per year, but the annual lower going rate for the job you바카라 사이트™ll be doing is £33,000. You do not meet the usual salary requirements for this visa. 

Each occupation code has its own annual lower going rate. Check the lower going rate for your job in the바카라 사이트¯going rates table.

When you can be paid less

You might still be able to apply for a Health and Care Worker visa if your job is eligible but your salary is less than £29,000 or your job바카라 사이트™s lower 바카라 사이트˜going rate바카라 사이트™.

You can be paid between 70% and 90% of the lower going rate for your job if your salary is at least £25,000 per year and you meet one of the following criteria:

  • you바카라 사이트™re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
  • you have a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) PhD level qualification that바카라 사이트™s relevant to your job (if you have a relevant PhD level qualification in any other subject your salary must be at least £26,100)
  • you have a postdoctoral position in a scientific role

You cannot get a discounted salary rate if your job is on the immigration salary list.

Your job is on the immigration salary list

The immigration salary list is a list of skilled jobs which have lower salary requirements.  

If your job is on the immigration salary list, you need to be paid at least £25,000 or your job바카라 사이트™s full going rate, whichever is higher.

View the immigration salary list바카라 사이트¯to see how much you바카라 사이트™ll need to be paid.

You바카라 사이트™re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training

You can be paid 70% of your job바카라 사이트™s lower going rate if your salary will be at least £25,000 per year and one of the following applies:

  • you바카라 사이트™re under 26 on the date you apply
  • you바카라 사이트™re currently in the UK on a Student visa studying at bachelor바카라 사이트™s degree level or above - or you have been in the last 2 years, and a Student or visit visa was your most recent visa
  • you바카라 사이트™ll be working towards a recognised qualification in a UK regulated profession
  • you바카라 사이트™ll be working towards full registration or chartered status in the job you바카라 사이트™re being sponsored for

If this applies to you, check how much you바카라 사이트™ll need to be paid to qualify for this visa.

Your total stay in the UK cannot be more than 4 years if you apply for one of these reasons. This includes any time you바카라 사이트™ve already spent in the UK on a Tier 2 (General) work visa.

You have a PhD level qualification that바카라 사이트™s relevant to your job

You can be paid 80% or 90% of the job바카라 사이트™s lower going rate, depending on which subject you are qualified in. 

If you have a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) qualification, you can be paid 80% of your job바카라 사이트™s lower going rate, as long as you will still be paid at least £25,000 per year.

If you have a non-STEM qualification, you can be paid 90% of your job바카라 사이트™s lower going rate, as long as you will still be paid at least £26,100 a year.

In both situations, you must:

  • have a UK PhD or an equivalent doctorate-level overseas qualification - you바카라 사이트™ll need to to check if an overseas qualification is equivalent to a UK PhD
  • be able to prove your qualification is relevant to the job you바카라 사이트™ll be doing in the UK - your employer can confirm this

View the list of jobs that qualify for a PhD salary discount to see how much you need to be paid.

If you바카라 사이트™re a research or academic leader, you may also be eligible to apply for the Global Talent visa. This visa has no language or minimum salary requirements.

You have a postdoctoral position in a scientific role

You can be paid 70% of your job바카라 사이트™s lower going rate if your salary will be at least £25,000 per year and you바카라 사이트™ll be working in a postdoctoral position in either of the following occupation codes:

  • 2113: biochemists and biomedical scientists
  • 2114: physical scientists

Check how much you바카라 사이트™ll need to be paid to qualify for this visa.

Your total stay in the UK cannot be more than 4 years if you apply to work in a postdoctoral position at 70% of the lower going rate. This includes any time you바카라 사이트™ve already spent in the UK on a Tier 2 (General) work visa.

4. Knowledge of English

You바카라 사이트™ll usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply, unless you did this in a previous successful visa application.

Level of English

You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the .

You can prove your knowledge of English by:

  • passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider
  • having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18
  • having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English - if you studied abroad, you바카라 사이트™ll need to for confirmation that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor바카라 사이트™s degree, master바카라 사이트™s degree or PhD

Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you바카라 사이트™re a national of one of the following countries or territories:

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • the Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • the British overseas territories
  • Canada
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Jamaica
  • Malta
  • New Zealand
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Lucia
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • USA

If you바카라 사이트™re a doctor, dentist, nurse or midwife

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you바카라 사이트™ve already passed an English Language assessment that is accepted by the relevant regulated professional body.

5. How much it costs

When you apply for a Health and Care Worker visa, you바카라 사이트™ll need to have enough money to:

  • pay the application fee
  • support yourself when you arrive in the UK - you바카라 사이트™ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you바카라 사이트™re exempt)

You바카라 사이트™ll be told how much you need to pay when you apply.

Application fees

The standard application fee depends on whether you바카라 사이트™ll be in the UK for:

  • up to 3 years - £304 per person
  • more than 3 years - £590 per person

The fee is the same whether you apply from inside or outside the UK.

Money to support yourself

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.

You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.

You바카라 사이트™ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:

  • you바카라 사이트™ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
  • your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK

Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they바카라 사이트™re in the UK. Check how much they바카라 사이트™ll need.

Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

If your employer can support you instead

Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm this. Your employer will need to complete the 바카라 사이트˜sponsor certifies maintenance바카라 사이트™ section on your certificate. This is under 바카라 사이트˜Additional data바카라 사이트™.

6. Documents you'll need to apply

When you apply you바카라 사이트™ll need to provide:

  • your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this
  • proof of your knowledge of English
  • a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality
  • your job title and annual salary
  • your job바카라 사이트™s occupation code
  • the name of your employer and their sponsor licence number - this will be on your certificate of sponsorship

Ask your employer for a copy of your certificate of sponsorship if you do not have one.

Other documents you might need

Depending on your circumstances, you might be asked to provide:

You바카라 사이트™ll need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you바카라 사이트™re:

  • from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
  • from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein but do not have a biometric passport with a chip in it

If your documents are not in English or Welsh you바카라 사이트™ll also need to provide a certified translation.

Criminal record certificate

You바카라 사이트™ll need to provide a criminal record certificate if you바카라 사이트™re applying from outside the UK, unless your job is in one of the following occupation codes:

  • 2113: biochemists and biomedical scientists
  • 2114: physical scientists
  • 3111: laboratory technicians
  • 6132: ambulance staff (excluding paramedics)

Check how to apply for criminal records checks.

If you바카라 사이트™ve lived in more than one country

You might need to provide a certificate from each country you바카라 사이트™ve lived in, depending on your age and how long you stayed in each country.

If you바카라 사이트™re under 28, you바카라 사이트™ll need a certificate from any country you바카라 사이트™ve stayed in for a total of 12 months or more since you turned 18.

If you바카라 사이트™re 28 or over, you바카라 사이트™ll need a certificate from any country you바카라 사이트™ve stayed in over the last 10 years.

7. Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for a Health and Care Worker visa.

Check which documents you바카라 사이트™ll need to apply.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application, you바카라 사이트™ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you바카라 사이트™re from and what type of passport you have.

You바카라 사이트™ll either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트˜UK Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트™ app to scan your identity document - you바카라 사이트™ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre

You바카라 사이트™ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

If you do need an appointment:

  • the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application
  • you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country)

Apply for a Health and Care Worker visa

Apply for a Skilled Worker visa. You바카라 사이트™ll be asked if you바카라 사이트™re applying for a Health and Care Worker visa as part of your application - make sure you choose 바카라 사이트˜yes바카라 사이트™.

Once you바카라 사이트™ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Continue your application

You can sign back in to your application if you바카라 사이트™ve saved it.

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once you바카라 사이트™ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you바카라 사이트™ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

You바카라 사이트™ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

  • your supporting documents need to be verified
  • you need to attend an interview
  • of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

You can ask to cancel your application. You바카라 사이트™ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You바카라 사이트™ll get an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

8. Your partner and children

Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your 바카라 사이트˜dependants바카라 사이트™ if they바카라 사이트™re eligible.

If your partner or child바카라 사이트™s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child바카라 사이트™s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child바카라 사이트™s visa will end on the earlier date.

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

  • your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
  • your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay
  • your child over 18 if they currently have permission (바카라 사이트˜leave to enter바카라 사이트™ or 바카라 사이트˜leave to remain바카라 사이트™) to be in the UK as your dependant

You바카라 사이트™ll need to provide evidence of your relationship to your dependant when you apply.

If you바카라 사이트™re the first person in your family to apply, you can get a 바카라 사이트˜family linking code바카라 사이트™ to connect your applications together. Your family members can enter the same code when they apply.

If you바카라 사이트™re a care worker or senior care worker

Your partner and children cannot apply to join you or stay in the UK as your dependants unless you were employed as a care worker or senior care worker in the UK and on a Health and Care Worker visa before 11 March 2024 and one of the following is true:

  • you바카라 사이트™re currently still on a Health and Care Worker visa
  • you바카라 사이트™re extending your Health and Care Worker visa with your current employer
  • you바카라 사이트™re changing to a new job within the same occupation code while on a Health and Care Worker visa

Your partner

You must be able to prove one of the following:

  • you바카라 사이트™re in a civil partnership or marriage that바카라 사이트™s recognised in the UK
  • you바카라 사이트™ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
  • you바카라 사이트™ve been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply but you cannot live together, for example because you바카라 사이트™re working or studying in different places, or it바카라 사이트™s not accepted in your culture

If you바카라 사이트™re not living together, you바카라 사이트™ll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you:

  • communicate regularly with each other
  • support each other financially
  • care for any children you have together
  • spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events

Your child

They must:

  • live with you, unless they바카라 사이트™re living away from home in full-time education - for example, at boarding school or university
  • not be married or in a civil partnership

You바카라 사이트™ll need to provide evidence of their address, such as:

  • a bank statement
  • credit card bills
  • driving licence
  • NHS registration document
  • an official letter from their university or college

Money they need to support themselves

Your partner and children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they바카라 사이트™re in the UK.

You - or your partner or child - will need:

  • £285 for your partner
  • £315 for one child
  • £200 for each additional child

Example

You - or your partner or child - would need to have £600 to bring your partner and one child with you to the UK (£285 for your partner and £315 for your child).

You would also need to have £1,270 available to support yourself for your own application.

You - or your partner or child - will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of you or them applying for this visa.

You바카라 사이트™ll usually need to show proof of this when they apply, unless either:

  • you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
  • your employer can cover your family바카라 사이트™s costs during your first month in the UK - this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship

If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you, they바카라 사이트™ll only need to prove they have enough money to support themselves if they have been in the UK for less than 1 year.

Apply from outside the UK

Each family member will have to pay the application fee. The fee depends on whether they바카라 사이트™ll be in the UK for:

  • up to 3 years - £304 per person
  • more than 3 years - £590 per person

Your partner and children must either:

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.

They바카라 사이트™ll also need your application number - you바카라 사이트™ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You바카라 사이트™ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

They can also enter a 바카라 사이트˜family linking code바카라 사이트™ if you got one when you applied. This will connect your applications.

Proving their identity

As part of an application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity.

They바카라 사이트™ll either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트˜UK Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트™ app to scan their identity document - they바카라 사이트™ll also create or sign into their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre

They바카라 사이트™ll be told what they need to do when they apply.

If they do need an appointment:

  • the visa application centre may need to keep their passport and documents while they process their application
  • they may have to travel to get to their nearest centre (this could be in another country)

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they바카라 사이트™ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they바카라 사이트™ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

Apply from inside the UK (extend or switch their visa)

If you extend or switch your visa, your partner or child바카라 사이트™s current visa will still be valid until its original end date. Your partner or child need to apply to extend or switch their visa, either:

  • at the same time as you
  • at any time before their current visa expires

This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Your partner or children cannot apply to switch to your Health and Care Worker visa as your dependants if they are currently in the UK:

If your partner or child is currently in the UK on a Student visa, they can only switch if they have either:

  • completed the course they were sponsored to study
  • studied for a PhD for at least 24 months

If you바카라 사이트™re a care worker or senior care worker

Your partner and children cannot apply to join you or stay as your dependants if you switch to a Health and Care Worker visa from another visa.

They can only apply to join you or stay if you were employed as a care worker or senior care worker in the UK and on a Health and Care Worker visa before 11 March 2024 and one of the following is true:

  • you바카라 사이트™re currently still on a Health and Care Worker visa
  • you바카라 사이트™re extending your Health and Care Worker visa with your current employer
  • you바카라 사이트™re changing to a new job within the same occupation code while on a Health and Care Worker visa

How to apply

The application form will tell you if you can include your partner and children in your application or whether they need to apply separately.

If your partner or child apply separately, they바카라 사이트™ll need to either:

They바카라 사이트™ll need your application number - you바카라 사이트™ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You바카라 사이트™ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

They can also enter a 바카라 사이트˜family linking code바카라 사이트™ if you got one when you applied. This will connect your applications.

Proving their identity

As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity.

They바카라 사이트™ll either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트˜UK Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트™ app to scan their identity document - they바카라 사이트™ll also create or sign into their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

They바카라 사이트™ll be told what they need to do when they apply.

They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they바카라 사이트™ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they바카라 사이트™ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

Children born in the UK

If you have a child while you바카라 사이트™re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

You must apply for your child바카라 사이트™s dependant visa if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them.

The form you fill in depends on whether your child is inside or outside the UK. Your child must either:

You바카라 사이트™ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

You must apply to add them to your visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK.

What your partner or child can and cannot do

Your partner or child can:

  • work, except as a sportsperson or coach
  • study
  • travel abroad and return to the UK
  • apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as 바카라 사이트˜indefinite leave to remain바카라 사이트™) if they바카라 사이트™ve lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements

They cannot apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension.

If their application is successful, they바카라 사이트™ll get a full list of what they can and cannot do.

9. Extend your visa

You can usually apply to extend your Health and Care Worker visa if all of the following are true:

  • you have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
  • your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
  • you바카라 사이트™re still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship
  • you still meet the salary requirements

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

Your partner and children

Your partner or child바카라 사이트™s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.

They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

If you바카라 사이트™re a care worker or senior care worker, your partner and children may not be able to stay in the UK as your dependants when you extend your visa.

If you have a Tier 2 Health and Care Worker visa

You바카라 사이트™ll have a Tier 2 Health and Care Worker visa if either:

  • you applied for a Health and Care Worker visa before 1 December 2020
  • you had a Tier 2 (General) work visa which you바카라 사이트™ve extended as a Health and Care Worker visa

If you have this visa, you may be able to meet different eligibility requirements.

If you got your certificate of sponsorship on or after 24 November 2016

If you apply to extend before 1 December 2026, you will still need to meet the salary requirements, but your salary may also include allowances, such as London weighting. Any allowances must be guaranteed for the length of your stay.

If you바카라 사이트™re a physical scientist

If you were sponsored for your Tier 2 (General) or Health and Care Worker visa before 1 December 2020, the going rate for your job is different.

Occupation code Going rate for Health and Care Worker visa 90% of going rate (for relevant STEM PhD) 80% of going rate (for relevant non-STEM PhD or immigration salary list occupation) 70% of going rate (for new entrants)
2114 Physical scientists £27,190 (£13.94 per hour) £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) £25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

If you바카라 사이트™ve changed job or employer

You바카라 사이트™ll need to apply to update your visa instead.

Fees

Check how much it costs for your type of visa.

You바카라 사이트™ll need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken - there바카라 사이트™s no fee for this.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application you바카라 사이트™ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you바카라 사이트™re from and the type of passport or resident permit you have.

You바카라 사이트™ll either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트˜UK Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트™ app to scan your identity document - you바카라 사이트™ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

You바카라 사이트™ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Apply to extend your Health and Care Worker visa

Apply for a Skilled Worker visa. You바카라 사이트™ll be asked if you바카라 사이트™re applying for a Health and Care Worker visa as part of your application - make sure you choose 바카라 사이트˜yes바카라 사이트™.

You must apply online before your current visa expires.

Once you바카라 사이트™ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you바카라 사이트™ve saved it.

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once you바카라 사이트™ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you바카라 사이트™ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

You바카라 사이트™ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

  • your supporting documents need to be verified
  • you need to attend an interview
  • of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you바카라 사이트™ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You바카라 사이트™ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You바카라 사이트™ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

10. Update your visa if you change job or employer

You바카라 사이트™ll need to apply to update your Health and Care Worker visa if:

  • you want to change your job and your new job is with a different employer
  • your job changes to a different occupation code, and you바카라 사이트™re not in a graduate training programme
  • you leave a job that바카라 사이트™s on the immigration salary list for a job that is not on the list

The same conditions apply to Tier 2 Health and Care visas issued before 1 December 2020.

You do not need to apply again if you stay in the same job, but your job is taken off the immigration salary list.

If you바카라 사이트™ll be doing a different job for your current employer, you only need to update your visa if your new job is in a different occupation code.

Your partner or child바카라 사이트™s visa will not automatically change if you update yours. If they do not update their visa, it will be valid until its original end date. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

If you바카라 사이트™re a care worker or senior care worker

If you change your employer and you바카라 사이트™re working in England, your new employer must be registered with the Care Quality Commission.

.

Fees

Check how much it costs for your type of visa.

You바카라 사이트™ll need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken - there바카라 사이트™s no fee for this.

Eligibility and documents you바카라 사이트™ll need to apply

Your new job must meet the eligibility requirements and you바카라 사이트™ll need a new certificate of sponsorship to prove this.

You바카라 사이트™ll only need to provide other evidence again if you바카라 사이트™ve been in the UK for less than one year.

If you바카라 사이트™re applying to add a second job to your current visa

You must apply to update your visa if you take on additional work that is more than 20 paid hours a week in addition to the job you바카라 사이트™re being sponsored for.

Your second job must meet the eligibility requirements and you바카라 사이트™ll need a new certificate of sponsorship to prove this.

You바카라 사이트™ll also need to include a letter with your application explaining that you want to change your current permission to stay.

Your letter must state:

  • your name
  • your date of birth
  • your current certificate of sponsorship reference number
  • the date when your current permission to stay runs out

If your application is successful, you바카라 사이트™ll get a new visa giving you permission to do both jobs.

You do not need to apply to update your visa if you바카라 사이트™re taking on additional work in an eligible occupation code and you바카라 사이트™ll be doing less than 20 hours a week.

When to apply to update your visa

You can apply to update your visa up to 3 months before the start date of your new job.

You can continue working in your current job while your new application is being considered, or to work out your notice period - as long as you apply before your current visa expires.

You should not start your new job until you바카라 사이트™ve got confirmation of your new permission.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application you바카라 사이트™ll need to prove your identity.

How you do this depends on where you바카라 사이트™re from and the type of passport you have.

You바카라 사이트™ll either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트˜UK Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트™ app to scan your identity document - you바카라 사이트™ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

You바카라 사이트™ll be told what you need to do when you apply. You바카라 사이트™ll also be told how to provide your supporting documents if you need to.

Apply to update your visa

You must apply online for a Skilled Worker visa. You바카라 사이트™ll be asked if you바카라 사이트™re applying for a Health and Care Worker visa as part of your application - make sure you choose 바카라 사이트˜yes바카라 사이트™.

Once you바카라 사이트™ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Continue your application

You can sign back in to your application if you바카라 사이트™ve saved it.

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once you바카라 사이트™ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you바카라 사이트™ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

You바카라 사이트™ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

  • your supporting documents need to be verified
  • you need to attend an interview
  • of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you바카라 사이트™ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You바카라 사이트™ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You바카라 사이트™ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

11. Switch to this visa

You might be able to apply to change (바카라 사이트˜switch바카라 사이트™) to a Health and Care Worker visa if you바카라 사이트™re already in the UK on a different type of visa.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

Your partner and children

Your partner or child바카라 사이트™s visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. If they do not switch their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.

They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

If you바카라 사이트™re switching to this visa as a care worker or senior care worker, your partner or children will not be able to switch as your dependants to this visa.

Eligibility

You must meet the following requirements:

If you바카라 사이트™re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must also meet one of the following requirements:

  • you have completed the course you were sponsored to study
  • your job start date is after your course has finished
  • you have studied for a PhD for at least 24 months

Who cannot apply to switch to this visa

You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you바카라 사이트™re currently in the UK:

You must leave the UK and apply for a Health and Care Worker visa from abroad if you바카라 사이트™re in one of these categories.

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK for as long as your employer is sponsoring you for, up to 5 years at a time. Your certificate of sponsorship will say how long your employer is sponsoring you for.

Fees

Check how much it costs for your type of visa.

You바카라 사이트™ll need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken - there바카라 사이트™s no fee for this.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application you바카라 사이트™ll need to prove your identity.

How you do this depends on where you바카라 사이트™re from and the type of passport you have.

You바카라 사이트™ll either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트˜UK Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트™ app to scan your identity document - you바카라 사이트™ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

You바카라 사이트™ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Apply to switch to a Health and Care Worker visa

You must apply online before your current visa expires.

Apply for a Skilled Worker visa. You바카라 사이트™ll be asked if you바카라 사이트™re applying for a Health and Care Worker visa as part of your application - make sure you choose 바카라 사이트˜yes바카라 사이트™.

Once you바카라 사이트™ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Continue your application

You can sign back in to your application if you바카라 사이트™ve saved it.

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once you바카라 사이트™ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you바카라 사이트™ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

You바카라 사이트™ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

  • your supporting documents need to be verified
  • you need to attend an interview
  • of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you바카라 사이트™ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You바카라 사이트™ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You바카라 사이트™ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

12. Taking on additional work

You can do additional paid work on a Health and Care Worker visa as long as you바카라 사이트™re still doing the job you바카라 사이트™re being sponsored for. You can also do unpaid voluntary work.

If you complete your GP training, you can do 4 months of additional paid work.

You may need to apply to update your visa to do additional paid work. This will depend on the type of work you바카라 사이트™re doing and the hours you바카라 사이트™re going to work.

Your additional work must be in an eligible Skilled Worker occupation code.

When you need to update your visa

You must update your visa if your additional job is more than 20 hours a week.

You don바카라 사이트™t need to update it if you바카라 사이트™re:

  • working overtime in the job you바카라 사이트™re being sponsored for

  • working 바카라 사이트˜bank shifts바카라 사이트™ for your NHS sponsor

Apply to update your visa

To apply, you바카라 사이트™ll need to:

  • get a new certificate of sponsorship from your second employer

  • include a letter with your application explaining that you want to change your current permission to stay

Apply to update your visa.