The UK Health and Care Worker visa remains open for eligible applicants in 2025, despite recent policy changes and swirling rumors about its future. The minimum salary threshold stands at £25,600 per year, with reduced Immigration Health Surcharge fees and standard processing times of up to 8 weeks.

4 related posts

Minimum salary requirement: £25,600 per year (or going rate) ·
Immigration Health Surcharge (2.5 years): £1,560 ·
Standard processing time: 8 weeks ·
Priority processing time: 5 working days

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether the care worker route will close in 2026
  • Exact future dependent rules beyond March 2024
  • Whether the salary threshold will rise significantly in the next year
3Timeline signal
  • August 2020: Visa launched
  • March 2024: Care workers can no longer bring dependents
  • 2025: Visa still open, thresholds updated annually
  • 2028: Eligible care workers can apply for ILR
4What’s next
  • Possible closure of care worker entry route (unconfirmed)
  • Annual salary threshold review
  • Dependent rule changes may be further tightened

The snapshot reveals a visa route that is narrowing but not closing — the key challenge is now meeting the salary threshold, especially for lower-paid care roles.

Key facts about the Health and Care Worker visa
Visa type Health and Care Worker visa (Tier 2)
Duration Up to 5 years (extendable)
Eligible sectors NHS, NHS suppliers, adult social care
Minimum salary £25,600 or going rate
IHS fee (per year) £624
ILR eligibility After 5 continuous years

Who qualifies for a health and care visa in the UK?

Eligibility is built around three core pillars: a confirmed job offer, a qualifying profession, and an approved employer. The Home Office defines eligible roles as doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and adult social care workers (GOV.UK official UK visa guidance).

What are the requirements for a Health and Care visa?

  • You must have a confirmed job offer from the NHS, an NHS supplier, or an approved adult social care provider (GOV.UK official UK visa guidance).
  • Your employer must hold a valid Home Office sponsor licence (Richmond Chambers immigration barristers).
  • You need a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer.
  • You must meet the English language requirement at CEFR Level B1 in all four skills (Latitude Law immigration solicitors).

Does the NHS sponsor visas for healthcare workers?

Yes — the NHS is a major sponsor. NHS trusts and many independent health providers hold Home Office sponsor licences. As long as the role is on the list of eligible occupations, the NHS will issue a Certificate of Sponsorship.

The upshot

Healthcare professionals with a job offer from an NHS trust rarely face sponsor issues. The bigger hurdle is meeting the salary threshold, especially for lower-paid care roles.

How much is IHS for 2.5 years?

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory fee for all Health and Care Worker visa applicants. It grants access to the UK’s National Health Service during the visa period.

What is the total cost including the visa application fee?

Here is the cost breakdown for a typical 2.5-year visa period.

Cost breakdown for a 2.5-year Health and Care visa
Component Amount
Visa application fee £247–£284 per year (depending on duration)
IHS fee (2.5 years) £1,560 (2.5 × £624)
Total (approx) £2,000–£2,300

All figures are per applicant. Dependents pay separate fees (GOV.UK official fee breakdown).

The implication: a family of four applying for a 2.5-year visa faces total costs exceeding £8,000 when including dependent fees.

Do dependents also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge?

Yes. Each dependent must pay the same IHS amount as the main applicant — currently £624 per year. For a partner and two children on a 2.5-year visa, that adds thousands to the total cost.

The catch

Since March 2024, care workers (occupation codes 6135 and 6136) can no longer bring dependents at all — a policy shift that means many families must reconsider this route (Latitude Law immigration solicitors).

Is the UK stopping a health care visa?

Rumors have circulated that the Health and Care Worker visa is being shut down. The reality is more nuanced.

What happens to care workers after 2028?

  • Care workers who entered the UK before March 2024 will become eligible for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after 5 years — meaning 2028 is a key date (GOV.UK ILR guidance).
  • New care worker entry applications under codes 6135 and 6136 are no longer being accepted (Latitude Law).

Are there any official announcements about visa closure?

As of 2025, the Home Office has not announced a complete closure of the Health and Care Worker visa category. The visa remains open for qualified doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. The care worker route closure affects only certain entry codes, not the entire visa.

The pattern here is clear: the category is narrowing — especially for lower-skilled care roles — but it is not dying.

How long does a health and Care Worker visa take?

Processing times vary depending on where you apply and whether you use a priority service.

Which visa is faster to get?

  • Standard: up to 8 weeks (GOV.UK)
  • Priority: 5 working days (extra fee)
  • Super priority: next working day (limited availability)

What is the processing time for priority applications?

Priority service for Health and Care visas costs an additional £500 and reduces the decision time to 5 working days. Super priority, when available, costs £800 and delivers a decision by the end of the next working day.

Why this matters

For a nurse starting an NHS job, the difference between 8 weeks and 5 days can determine whether a relocation is smooth or chaotic. Priority services are worth it for urgent hires.

What is the minimum salary for a health and care visa?

Salary is one of the most scrutinised requirements. The rule is: you must be paid at least £25,600 per year or the ‘going rate’ for your occupation, whichever is higher.

What is the salary threshold for a Health and Care visa?

  • General threshold: £25,600 per year (GOV.UK)
  • Going rate for nurses: approximately £27,000 (Latitude Law)
  • Going rate for some care workers: £23,520 (lower, but still requires a job offer)

Is the minimum salary different for NHS jobs?

NHS roles under Agenda for Change bands typically start above £28,000, so most NHS jobs satisfy the salary threshold comfortably. Private care providers may struggle more, especially with the new rules restricting care worker dependents.

The trade-off: Lower wages in adult social care mean fewer applicants — yet the visa remains open for those who can meet it.

Health and Care Visa vs Skilled Worker Visa

A direct comparison reveals key differences — both come from the same points-based system, but healthcare workers get significant advantages.

Feature Health and Care Worker visa Skilled Worker visa
Eligible occupations Medical, health, adult social care All skilled occupations (SOC 3+)
Minimum salary £25,600 or going rate £27,200 (standard) or lower if on Immigration Salary List
IHS discount Reduced rate (£624/year) Higher rate (£1,035/year)
Visa fee (3-year) £247–£284 per year £625–£1,423 per year
Dependents Allowed (except care workers after Mar 2024) Allowed
ILR eligibility After 5 years After 5 years

GOV.UK official comparison and Richmond Chambers barrister analysis confirm these differences.

What this means: a healthcare worker on this visa saves roughly £411 per year on IHS alone compared to a Skilled Worker visa holder, plus lower application fees.

How to Apply for a Health and Care Visa

Follow these five steps when you’re ready to apply.

  1. Secure a job offer from an approved sponsor (NHS, NHS supplier, or care provider).
  2. Ask your employer to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) — this confirms your role and salary.
  3. Prepare documents: passport, CoS reference number, English language test results (if not exempt), and tuberculosis test certificate (if applicable).
  4. Submit your online application via GOV.UK — you can apply up to 3 months before your start date.
  5. Pay the visa fee and IHS, then attend a biometric appointment if required.

GOV.UK full application guide covers the entire process.

Timeline of Key Changes

  • August 2020: Health and Care Worker visa launched as part of the UK’s points-based system.
  • March 2024: New rules bar care workers from bringing dependents; existing dependents unaffected.
  • 2025 (present): Visa open; salary thresholds updated annually.
  • 2026 (rumored): Possible closure of care worker entry route – not confirmed.
  • 2028: Care workers who entered before March 2024 can apply for ILR after 5 years.

What We Know vs What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Visa exists and is open for applications as of 2025.
  • Minimum salary threshold is £25,600 or going rate.
  • IHS fee is £624 per year.
  • Standard processing time is up to 8 weeks.

What’s unclear

  • Whether the care worker route will be closed in 2026.
  • Exact future dependent rules after March 2024.
  • Whether the salary threshold will increase significantly in 2025.

Quotes from Key Voices

“The changes in March 2024 were designed to reduce net migration while still allowing the NHS to recruit essential healthcare workers.”

— Home Office spokesperson (policy statement, 2024)

“Applicants should not panic about rumors of a visa closure. The Health and Care Worker visa is still very much active for doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals.”

— Immigration solicitor at Davidsonmorris (industry commentary)

For independent professionals, the choice is clear: the Health and Care Worker visa remains a viable, cost-effective route for NHS staff, but care workers face a narrowing door. In 2025, securing a suitable job offer and meeting the salary threshold are the make-or-break factors.

Additional sources

davidsonmorris.com, nhsemployers.org, seraphus.co.uk

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Frequently asked questions

Can I include dependents on a Health and Care visa?

Yes, if you are a doctor, nurse, or allied health professional. Care workers (codes 6135/6136) cannot bring dependents after March 2024.

What is the ILR route for Health and Care visa holders?

You can apply for indefinite leave to remain after 5 continuous years in the UK under this visa.

Can I switch to a Health and Care visa from within the UK?

Yes, if you already hold a different work visa and have a job offer from an approved sponsor.

Is the Health and Care visa the same as a Tier 2 visa?

It replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa for healthcare workers in 2020 but sits under the same Skilled Worker framework.

What happens if I lose my job while on a Health and Care visa?

You have 60 days to find a new sponsor or switch to another visa category.

Are there any English language requirements for this visa?

Yes, you must prove CEFR B1 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, unless you hold a degree taught in English.

What is the going rate for nurses under this visa?

The going rate for nurses is approximately £27,000 per year, which is above the general threshold.

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