The UK Care Worker Visa allows skilled workers to work in the healthcare and care sector. Find out what the Care Worker Visa is, who can get it, the requirements for candidates, the documents required for application, the visa application process and changes to the rules from 2025

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The UK Care Worker Visa (also known as the Health and Care Worker Visa) is a special permit that allows qualified individuals to work in relevant health and care roles, such as as a nurse, carer or other healthcare professional.

For UK healthcare employers facing ongoing staff shortages, the Health and Care Worker Visa is a lifeline for employing foreign professionals. For applicants, the benefits of a Care Worker Visa include fast-track entry to the UK, as well as reduced visa fees and support from a dedicated UKVI application processing team.

Key details of the UK Care Worker Visa can be found in this article.

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Care Worker Visa in the UK – What is it?

The Care Worker Visa is a skilled worker visa that allows individuals to work in the health or care sector in the UK. It is designed to attract foreign workers to work in health and social care roles that are not available to local workers.

Who can get a Health and Care Worker Visa in the UK?

To be eligible for a Care Worker Visa, applicants must meet certain criteria:

- Job

You need a job offer for a role that is on the list of eligible occupations for the Care Worker Visa. Typically, this includes jobs such as: Care Assistants, Support Workers, Home Care Workers and Personal Care Assistants.

- Sponsor

You must have a job offer from a licensed sponsor (a UK employer with a sponsoring license). The employer must issue you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

- Skill Level

The job you are applying for must be at least RQF Level 3 (equivalent to Level A or above). Some lower-level jobs, such as care workers, may also qualify depending on the specific visa rules.

- Salary requirements

You must be paid a salary at a suitable level in the job. To bring wages into line with the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the government has set a new minimum hourly rate of pay for Skilled Worker visa holders, including care workers, at £12.82 per hour in 2025.

- Language skills

You will need to demonstrate that you meet a minimum level of English language proficiency (usually at level B1, which is intermediate).

- Financial requirements

You must have enough money to support yourself in the UK. Typically, you will need to show that you have at least £1,270 in savings (or your sponsor must cover your maintenance costs).

- Criminal record check

Some applicants may need to provide a certificate of no criminal record from the country where they have lived for the last 10 years.

Documents required to apply for a Care Worker Visa in the UK

The following documents may be required to apply for a Care Worker Visa in the UK:

- A valid passport or travel document.

- A certificate of sponsorship from your employer in the UK.

- Proof of English language proficiency (e.g. a valid English language exam result).

- Proof of funds (a bank statement showing at least £1,270, unless your sponsor covers this).

- Tuberculosis test results (for applicants from certain countries).

- Criminal record check (on request).

- Permission from a medical professional (if applying under a specific health and care scheme).

UK Care Worker Visa Application Process

Step 1 – Receive a job offer from a UK employer who has a sponsoring license.

Step 2 – Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer.

Step 3 – Complete the online application form on the UK government website.

Step 4 – Pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Service (IHS) fee.

Step 5 – Submit the required documents, including proof of English language proficiency, sponsorship certificate and proof of financial support.

Step 6 – Attend a biometric appointment (provide fingerprints and a photo) at a visa application centre, if required.

Step 7 – Wait for a decision on your visa. Processing times can vary, but are usually between a few weeks and a few months.

Care Worker Visa Application Fee

The cost of a Care Worker Visa in the UK depends on the length of the visa and your specific situation:

- The standard visa fee is between £232 and £1,408 for up to 3 years, depending on your job, salary and where you are applying from.

- If your job is listed as a shortage occupation (as most care jobs are), the fee may be reduced.

How long can you stay in the UK with a Health and Care Worker Visa?

The Care Worker Visa is usually granted for up to 5 years.

If you wish to stay longer, you can extend your visa if you still meet the requirements.

After 5 years, you can apply for a residence permit, a document that will allow you to live and work in the UK without any time restrictions.

Can you move with your family on a Health and Care Worker Visa?

Yes, you can bring your dependants (spouse or partner, children under 18) with you to the UK on a Carer visa, provided that:

- You meet the financial requirements to support them (which may be higher than the individual amount).

- You can demonstrate that you can financially support your dependants while in the UK.

- Your dependants can also work or study in the UK, but they will need to apply for their own visa separately.

Important! Following a change in the law in March 2024, holders of healthcare staff visas with SOC codes “6135 Carers” and “6136 Carers for the Elderly” (previously “6145 Carers” or “6146 Carers for the Elderly”) are no longer allowed to bring family members with them to the UK on a Dependent visa. This rule does not apply retrospectively to visa holders who have already been to the UK via this route.

Changes to the Care Worker Visa recruitment process in 2025

From 9 April 2025, healthcare providers in England must now prioritise local staff who require new sponsorship before recruiting from overseas.

The government is also stepping up efforts to prevent exploitation of the visa system. Key actions include:

- Revocation of over 470 care sponsor licences from July 2022.

- Employers are prohibited from charging sponsorship fees to workers to prevent financial exploitation.

Book a consultation with a migration lawyer to find out the current rules for moving and working in the UK in 2025.

Reminder! A work visa allows foreign nationals to live and work in the UK for a certain period of time. However, in order to apply for a UK work visa, you must meet the requirements and provide the necessary documents. We have already told you about the types of work visas in the UK, what requirements are imposed on applicants and about the changes to migration policy in 2025.