If you’re a healthcare professional planning your move to the UK or an NHS-linked employer trying to secure talent quickly, the Health and Care Worker visa can be the most cost-effective and streamlined route available. But it’s also one of the most tightly policed visa categories, with frequent rule changes and strict checks around job codes, salary and sponsorship.
Lexvisa’s specialist immigration solicitors in London help applicants and sponsors get this right first time. We focus on strategy, evidence and compliance so you don’t lose time, money, or opportunity.
What is the Health and Care Worker visa in the UK?
The Health and Care Worker visa is part of the UK’s Skilled Worker system, designed specifically for eligible health and care roles sponsored by an approved UK employer (for example, the NHS, an NHS supplier, or an eligible adult social care provider).
The route is popular because it can be cheaper than a standard Skilled Worker visa and comes with practical benefits for many applicants, including the Immigration Health Surcharge exemption for eligible applicants.
How Lexvisa helps: our expert immigration team checks that your role, sponsor and documents match the Home Office framework before you submit so you apply with confidence, not guesswork.
Who is eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa in 2026?
Eligibility is built around three pillars:
- A genuine job offer in an eligible health/care role
- Sponsorship from an approved UK employer
- Meeting the specific salary rules for your occupation code
A key point many applicants miss: salary requirements can differ depending on your occupation code. The Home Office lists the occupation codes where “different salary requirements” apply (including healthcare managers, lab technicians, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and certain care roles).
Why Lexvisa: eligibility is not just about the job title. UKVI looks at the duties, the SOC code selection and the salary structure. Our specialists build a strong, consistent application narrative so your case stands up to scrutiny.
What is the minimum salary for the Health and Care Worker visa in 2026?
There isn’t one single salary figure that fits every applicant. The Home Office applies salary rules by role and occupation code and some roles have different salary requirements.
In practice, you must be paid in line with the relevant rules for your specific occupation code and the visa requirements for the route. If you’re unsure which rule applies to you, it’s worth getting this checked properly before your sponsor assigns the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Lexvisa advantage: our specialist immigration team reviews your CoS details, salary breakdown (including allowances where relevant) and job code alignment to reduce refusal risk.
Can care workers still apply for the Health and Care Worker visa after July 2025?
For most new overseas applicants, no. From 22 July 2025, entry clearance for care workers and senior care workers (occupation codes 6135 and 6136) is closed, meaning new overseas recruitment under these codes is not available.
There are limited transitional options for in-country cases and the rules are narrow and time-limited. You should take advice early if:
- you are already in the UK and need to extend
- you are switching routes
- your employer believes transitional arrangements apply
Lexvisa can assess your options quickly and tell you the safest route forward, including whether an alternative visa strategy is more realistic.
Can you bring dependants on a Health and Care Worker visa?
In many cases, yes. Your partner and children can often apply as dependants if they meet the Home Office criteria.
However, there are specific restrictions for care worker and senior care worker occupation codes. The Home Office sets out the conditions and limitations in its dependant guidance, including when dependants can apply and when they cannot.
Why instruct Lexvisa: dependant applications are a common refusal point because of timing, relationship evidence, maintenance documentation and misunderstanding the restrictions. We prepare the main and dependant applications as one joined-up strategy.
How much does a Health and Care Worker visa cost?
The Home Office fee depends on the length of sponsorship:
- up to 3 years: £304
- more than 3 years: £590
One of the biggest cost benefits is that eligible applicants are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge under this route.
Lexvisa tip: an avoidable refusal can cost far more than the application fee once you factor in delays, re-application and employment disruption. Our specialist immigration team focuses on prevention through strong evidence, correct job coding and consistent documentation.
How long does the Health and Care Worker visa take to process?
Processing times can vary based on where you apply from, biometrics/ID verification and whether UKVI raises questions. The Health and Care Worker visa is designed to support faster processing than standard work routes in many cases, but speed depends heavily on submitting a clean, complete application.
If timing matters (start dates, rota planning, relocation windows), Lexvisa can prioritise the application build so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
Does the Health and Care Worker visa lead to settlement (ILR)?
For many healthcare professionals, the Health and Care Worker visa can be part of a longer-term plan to settle in the UK, subject to meeting the rules on lawful residence, absences, salary and other requirements.
Lexvisa approach: we don’t just file the next application, we help you plan the route. If ILR is your goal, we structure decisions now (sponsor history, role changes, dependant timing) to protect the bigger picture.
Why choose Lexvisa for your Health and Care Worker visa?
Lexvisa is a leading London law firm with a specialist immigration practice. Clients instruct us because they want:
- A clear yes/no assessment of eligibility before money is spent
- A carefully prepared application that anticipates Home Office concerns
- Support for employers and applicants, including sponsor-related checks
- Confident handling of complex cases: dependants, switches, extensions and transitional care worker issues
If you want your application handled by an expert immigration team that understands the healthcare sector and UKVI decision-making, we’re ready to help.
FAQ: Health and Care Worker Visa UK (2026)
How do I know if my job is eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa?
Eligibility depends on your occupation code, your sponsor type and whether your role falls under the eligible framework for this route. If your salary rules fall under “different salary requirements”, the details must be checked carefully.
Can my spouse work in the UK as my dependant?
Dependants who are granted permission can usually work, but eligibility and restrictions can depend on the main applicant’s occupation code and the specific dependant rules.
Are care workers still eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa in 2026?
New overseas care worker sponsorship under occupation codes 6135 and 6136 is closed from 22 July 2025, with only limited transitional in-country options in specific circumstances.
How much is the Health and Care Worker visa fee?
£304 for up to 3 years, or £590 for more than 3 years and eligible applicants are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
What if my salary or job details don’t match the occupation code?
This is a common reason for delay or refusal. Lexvisa’s specialist immigration team can review the role description, SOC code alignment and salary structure before submission to reduce risk.
Contact Us
For professional guidance and assistance with your application, contact our immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.