Health and Care Worker Visa UK: Full Guide 2026

The Health and Care Worker Visa is a specialist sub-route of the Skilled Worker Visa, designed to make it easier for overseas healthcare professionals to come and work in the UK. This guide covers everything you need to know in 2026.

Who Qualifies for the Health and Care Worker Visa?

The route is available to doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and adult social care workers in eligible roles working for the NHS, NHS-funded organisations, or registered adult social care providers. Your occupation must fall within one of the specific SOC codes designated as eligible for this route.

Benefits Over the Standard Skilled Worker Route

• Significantly reduced visa fees (no visa application fee in most cases)
• Reduced or exempt Immigration Health Surcharge
• Priority processing in many cases
• The same pathway to ILR and citizenship as the standard Skilled Worker route

Salary and Skill Requirements

The same skill level (RQF 6+) and salary threshold (£38,700 or the going rate for the role) apply as for the standard Skilled Worker route. There are lower salary thresholds for “new entrants” to the labour market.

International Nurses and Doctors

The UK’s NHS has relied heavily on international recruitment, particularly from countries such as India, the Philippines, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. Overseas nurses must additionally complete the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) before starting work. Overseas doctors must register with the General Medical Council (GMC).

Bringing Family Members

Health and Care Worker visa holders can bring their spouse/partner and children to the UK as dependants. Dependants of Health and Care Workers are also exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Path to Settlement

After 5 years of continuous working under the Health and Care Worker route, you can apply for ILR and subsequently British citizenship.