The Health and Care Worker visa is a lower-cost branch of the Skilled Worker route for qualified health and care professionals. But the rules changed sharply in 2025. This 2026 guide explains who can still apply, the care-worker closure, the benefits, and the route to settlement.
Is the visa still open?
Yes — for eligible health professionals (doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, paramedics and similar roles) sponsored by the NHS, an NHS supplier or a registered care provider. However, the route closed to new overseas recruitment of care workers and senior care workers (occupation codes 6135 and 6136) on 22 July 2025.
The care-worker closure explained
Care providers can no longer sponsor care workers from overseas. They can still recruit care workers already in the UK who need a new sponsor. Care workers already here on this route benefit from transitional arrangements: they can extend their visa and change employers until 22 July 2028, subject to the usual rules. People in the UK on other visas can switch into care roles only if they’ve been on the sponsor’s payroll for at least 3 continuous months.
Benefits over a standard Skilled Worker visa
- No Immigration Health Surcharge — Health and Care Worker visa holders are exempt from the IHS.
- Reduced application fee (currently around £304 for up to 3 years, £590 for longer) and typically faster processing.
- Same path to indefinite leave to remain after 5 years.
Key requirements
You’ll need a Certificate of Sponsorship for an eligible occupation, pay at least the going rate for that role, and meet the English requirement — which rose to B2 (upper intermediate) from January 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Health and Care Worker visa still open in 2026?
Yes for eligible health professionals, but new overseas recruitment of care workers and senior care workers (codes 6135/6136) closed on 22 July 2025.
Can care providers still sponsor care workers from abroad?
No — since 22 July 2025 they can only recruit care workers already in the UK who need a new sponsor.
What happens to care workers already in the UK?
They can extend their visa and change employers under transitional arrangements until 22 July 2028, subject to the usual rules.
Does the Health and Care Worker visa have the IHS?
No — holders are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
What are the benefits over a standard Skilled Worker visa?
A reduced application fee, IHS exemption and usually faster processing, with the same route to ILR after 5 years.
What is the English requirement?
From January 2026 it is CEFR B2 (upper intermediate).
