What is the Health and Care Worker visa?

The Health and Care Worker visa is a subcategory of the Skilled Worker visa designed for medical professionals and care workers. It offers reduced fees, exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge, and faster processing. Eligible roles include doctors, nurses, paramedics, social workers, and care workers.

Do care homes need a sponsor licence?

Yes. Any employer wanting to hire overseas care workers must hold a valid sponsor licence. This applies to NHS trusts, private hospitals, care homes, home care providers, and any other health or social care organisation.

What salary do I need to pay a sponsored care worker?

Health and care workers benefit from lower salary thresholds than the general Skilled Worker route. The specific threshold depends on the role and SOC code. Check the current rates on GOV.UK as they are subject to change.

Is the Immigration Health Surcharge waived for health and care workers?

Yes. Health and Care Worker visa applicants and their dependants are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. This is a significant saving compared to the standard Skilled Worker visa.

Health and Care Worker Sponsorship: Employer Guide 2026

The Health and Care Worker visa is a dedicated route within the Skilled Worker visa system for qualified medical and care professionals. It offers significant fee reductions and IHS exemption. Employers must hold a sponsor licence and meet ongoing compliance obligations. The route has been a critical tool for addressing NHS and social care workforce shortages.

Eligible Roles

The Health and Care Worker visa covers roles in the NHS, NHS-commissioned services, adult social care, and other health sector organisations. Eligible occupations are listed in the Immigration Rules on GOV.UK and include:

Doctors, dentists, and other medical practitioners.
Nurses and midwives.
Paramedics and ambulance staff.
Social workers.
Care workers and home carers.
Occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and other allied health professionals.

The role must be at RQF Level 3 or above (equivalent to A-level standard) and the employer must be a legitimate health or care provider.

Getting a Sponsor Licence

To sponsor health and care workers, you need a sponsor licence. The application process is the same as for other Skilled Worker sponsors:

Apply online on GOV.UK.
Pay the licence fee (£536 for small sponsors, £1,476 for medium/large).
Prepare for a potential Home Office compliance visit.
Designate key personnel: Authorising Officer, Key Contact, and Level 1 User.

Care homes and home care providers should ensure they have robust HR systems in place before applying, as the Home Office has increased scrutiny of care sector sponsors. See our audit guide.

Costs and Fee Advantages

The Health and Care Worker visa offers significant cost savings compared to the standard Skilled Worker route:

Reduced visa application fee: The fee is lower than the standard Skilled Worker visa fee.
No Immigration Health Surcharge: Health and Care Worker applicants and their dependants are exempt from the IHS, saving £1,035 per person per year.
Immigration Skills Charge still applies: Employers must pay £364 per year (small/charitable sponsors) or £1,000 per year (medium/large sponsors).

For the employee, this means significantly lower upfront costs. See our care worker salary guide for current salary thresholds.

Compliance and Ongoing Duties

Sponsors have ongoing obligations including:

Monitoring sponsored workers' attendance and reporting absences of 10 or more consecutive working days without permission.
Reporting if a sponsored worker leaves employment or their role changes significantly.
Keeping copies of right to work documents and contact details for each sponsored worker.
Ensuring sponsored workers are paid at least the going rate for their role.

The Home Office has been particularly active in auditing care sector sponsors. See our sponsor duties guide for a full compliance checklist.

Ethical Recruitment

The UK government maintains a Code of Practice for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel. This includes restrictions on active recruitment from countries on the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List (formerly the red list) of developing nations with critical health workforce shortages.

Employers should ensure their recruitment practices are ethical and comply with the code. Workers must not be charged recruitment fees, and all employment terms must be transparent.

Path to ILR for Sponsored Workers

Health and Care Worker visa holders can apply for ILR after 5 years of continuous employment. They must meet the salary threshold, pass the Life in the UK test, and meet the English language requirement. See our ILR requirements guide.

Recent Policy Changes

The care sector has seen significant policy changes in recent years, including increased scrutiny of sponsor compliance and adjustments to salary thresholds. Monitor the future of UK immigration guide for the latest developments.