The Health and Care Worker visa is open for medical professionals such as qualified doctors, and
nurses to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, as an NHS supplier or in
adult social care.
The Health and Care visa is part of the Skilled Worker visa. You must meet the requirements of
the Skilled Worker visa in addition to the requirements set out in this guidance to be eligible
for the Health and Care visa.
If you or your family are from the EU,
Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
If you or your close family member started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you may be
able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme. Otherwise, you need a visa to work in the UK.
Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.
To qualify for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must:
Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your 'dependants' if they're eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.
The employer is required to include a brief explanation in the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
setting out how the employee meets the Health and Care Visa eligibility requirement.
The employer will also be responsible for informing the applicant they are eligible for the
Health and Care Visa so the applicant can correctly complete the visa application form.
Where an employer is an organisation that provides services commissioned by the NHS, evidence of
the contract arrangements with the NHS may need to be provided to UK Visas and Immigration
(UKVI) as proof that applicants are eligible to apply for a Health and Care Visa.