Health and Care Visa UK

The health and care visa UK is specifically for healthcare professionals who want to work in the UK. These visa holders get easy entry to the UK with reduced fees and exemption from the immigration health surcharge. In the year 2023, the UK government has announced  £15 million in funding to help health and care sector employers hire from overseas under the Health and Care worker route. In this article, we will take a look at the application process, eligibility criteria, documents required, processing time, and cost of the health and care visa UK. 

Also Read: High Potential Individual Visa UK

What is a Health and Care Visa UK?

Health and Care Visa UK allows international workers having special skills to come to the UK and work for licensed employers in eligible roles. This visa is only open to some eligible professions such as doctors, registered nurses, or pharmacists. Applicants whose applications have been accepted can work in the UK for 5 years and can also extend their visa as many times as possible. These visa holders are also eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain after 5 years. 

Eligibility Criteria for Health and Care Visa UK

Check below who is eligible to apply for the health and care visa UK:

• All those who are qualified doctors, nurses, health professionals, and other social care professionals are eligible to apply for this visa.
• Individuals must have a job offer from an employer in the UK approved by the home office.
• They must have a Certificate of Sponsorship from the UK employer.
• They should meet the salary requirements to be eligible for this visa.
• Candidates should be able to speak, read and write at least level B1 English.
• Individuals who are applying under the skilled worker route will be getting a job offer in one of the occupations listed by them under SOC codes

Check the below given eligible professions as per SOC codes which are subject to change:

4-digit SOC code	Eligible job roles
1181	Health services and public health managers and directors
1242	Residential, day, and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
2112	Biological scientists and biochemists
2113	Physical scientists
2211	Medical practitioners
2212	Psychologists
2213	Pharmacists
2214	Ophthalmic opticians
2215	Dental practitioners
2217	Medical radiographers
2218	Podiatrists
2219	Health professionals not elsewhere classified eg audiologists and occupational health advisers
2221	Physiotherapists
2222	Occupational therapists
2223	Speech and language therapists
2229	Therapy professionals not elsewhere classified eg osteopaths and psychotherapists
2231	Nurses
2232	Midwives
2442	Social workers
3111	Laboratory technicians
3213	Paramedics
3216	Dispensing opticians
3217	Pharmaceutical technicians
3218	Medical and dental technicians
3219	Health associate professionals not elsewhere classified
6141	Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
6143	Dental nurses
6145	Care workers & home carers
6146	Senior care workers

Requirements of Health and Care Visa UK

The applicants of health and care visa UK need to follow the below-mentioned requirements under the skilled worker visa route:

• They should have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship by a UK-licensed sponsor.
• Should have the offer of a qualifying job offering a relevant salary.
• Should have sufficient savings to support themselves in the UK.
• Good understanding of the English Language.
• Proof of travel should also be able to show the travel history of the past 5 years.
• Should be able to provide a criminal certificate from a country in which they have lived for 12 months or 10 years.

Salary requirements for the Health and Care visa

Health and Care Workers must be paid a salary of at least £20,480 per year or £10.10 per hour to meet the minimum salary requirements for a Health and Care visa. However, the salary requirements vary as per the occupational code. In case the candidates have a PHD degree then they can have a salary of about £23,040 per year.

Application Process of Health and Care Visa UK

To apply for the health and care visa UK the candidates must first be assigned the COS by the UK sponsor. After completing all the relevant information the next step that the candidates are required to follow is paying the application fees. They are also required to submit the relevant documents. The home office will assess the application after receiving it and offer either of the following:

• Book a biometrics appointment if required
• Advised to learn how to enrol in biometrics using the app.

Documents Required for Health and Care Visa UK

Check the documents required for a health and care visa UK given below:

• Candidates require a valid passport or a travel document to prove they can travel
• Old travel documents or passports
• Certificate of Sponsorship (reference number) from their employer
• The employer’s name and sponsor license reference number
• Candidates need to present job details including job title, SOC code, and salary
• Bank statement or letter to prove they have enough funds in their bank account
• English language requirements
• Criminal record certificate (If Any)
• If the individuals are applying with dependants, then they are required to provide proof of their relationship such as their marriage certificate and birth certificates

Processing Time of Health and Care Visa UK

As on paper, the application for a health and care visa UK will be fast-tracked by UK visas and immigration. Usually, the decision is given within 3 weeks of the application. The UKVI can delay the visa processing depending on pandemic conditions and other factors. Therefore, it is always advisable to take advice before applying.

Validity of Health and Care Visa

After the approval of the health and care visa, the candidates will be allowed to enter and stay for a period of 14 days after the expiry of the certificate of sponsorship. This certificate is valid up to a period of 5 years from the date of issue. However, the validity can always be extended if

• The candidates have the same job in 5 years.
• The job falls under the same code.
• You are working under the same employer who issued your Certificate of Sponsorship.

Cost of Health and Care Visa UK

Check below the list of health and care visas UK with their application fees:

Fees for Health and Care Worker visa applications made outside the UK
Skilled Worker– certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less	£284
Skilled Worker– certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years	£551
Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation – certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less	£284
Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation – certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years	£551
Fees for Health and Care visa applications made within the UK
Skilled Worker – certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less	£284
Skilled Worker – certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years	£551
Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation – certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less	£284
Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation – certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years	£551

FAQs

We hope you now understand what is a health and care visa, the application process, processing time, application fees, etc. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!

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