The Health and Care Worker visa is for qualified health and adult social care professionals with an eligible job offer. Rules for this route have changed in recent years, so check the current position before relying on older information.
Information checked against the sources listed below on 10 October 2026. Rules, fees and thresholds change; this is general information, not advice on your case, and does not assess whether you qualify.
What the official guidance says.
- GOV.UK describes it as for qualified doctors, nurses, health professionals and adult social care professionals offered an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or adult social care.
- The employer must be a UK employer approved by the Home Office and must issue a certificate of sponsorship. You need a confirmed job offer before applying.
- A minimum salary applies, which depends on the type of work, and you must show knowledge of English.
- The visa can last up to 5 years before extension, and you can extend as many times as you still qualify.
- After 5 years you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
- Eligible partners and children can apply to join you or stay.
- You can switch from another visa inside the UK. Changing job or employer requires updating your visa.
- You cannot claim most public funds or the State Pension.
What usually decides the outcome.
- Whether the job and the employer qualify under the current rules, including any restrictions on the route.
- The registration and qualification evidence needed for your profession.
- How a partner or children will apply, and when their permission ends.
- The impact of a change of employer on your visa and settlement plans.
How we can help.
Depending on what you need, support can range from a first conversation to full representation. Ask for the scope of any work, and an explanation of our fees and separate government charges, in writing before you instruct the firm.
- Initial consultation and eligibility assessment. A conversation about your circumstances, the routes that may apply and the risks.
- Written advice and immigration planning. A considered view on your options and a plan that looks ahead to extensions, settlement or citizenship.
- Document and application checking. A review of an application or evidence you have prepared, before you submit it.
- Full application preparation and representation. Preparing and submitting the application, and dealing with the Home Office on your behalf.
- Responses to Home Office requests. Help answering requests for further information, interviews or evidence.
- Refusal analysis and next steps. Understanding why an application failed and whether to seek review, appeal, judicial review or make a fresh application.
Before you contact us
- Write a short summary of your circumstances and what you want to achieve.
- Note any decision dates, expiry dates or deadlines.
- Do not send passport numbers or sensitive documents in the first enquiry. We will explain how to share them securely.