Last updated: October 2026
The UK Health and Care Worker visa remains an important route for eligible doctors, nurses, health professionals and certain adult social care professionals who have qualifying sponsored employment.
However, the rules have changed significantly in recent years, especially for care worker and senior care worker roles.
This means applicants should be very careful with websites or recruiters that continue to advertise every UK care job as open to new overseas applicants.
This guide explains the current eligible occupations, sponsorship rules, salary requirements and application costs relevant to people planning to work in the UK in 2027.
What Is the Health and Care Worker Visa?
The Health and Care Worker visa is a work route for eligible healthcare professionals with a qualifying job from an approved UK sponsor.
Applicants generally need:
- A qualifying health or care occupation
- A job offer from an approved employer
- A Certificate of Sponsorship
- The required salary
- Required English-language ability
- Supporting documents
Which Jobs Are Currently Eligible?
The official GOV.UK eligibility list currently includes occupations such as:
- General medical practitioners
- Specialist medical practitioners
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech and language therapists
- Psychologists
- Midwives
- Registered nurses
- Pharmacists
- Optometrists
- Dentists
- Medical radiographers
- Paramedics
- Podiatrists
- Social workers
- Laboratory technicians
- Pharmaceutical technicians
- Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
The occupation code matters. Applicants should match the actual duties of the job with the correct code.
Important Rule for Care Workers and Senior Care Workers
This is one of the most important updates for overseas applicants.
Care workers and home carers, as well as senior care workers, are now treated differently from many other health occupations.
Current GOV.UK guidance does not list those occupation codes in the standard list for new Health and Care Worker applications from abroad in the same way as registered nursing and other listed health professions.
Some transitional provisions can apply to people already in the UK who are extending, updating or switching under the applicable rules.
Anyone seeing advertisements for overseas care-worker sponsorship should check the latest official rules before paying a recruiter or making travel plans.
Who Can Sponsor a Health and Care Worker?
You need an approved sponsor.
Eligible sponsors can include:
- The NHS
- Organisations providing medical services to the NHS
- Eligible adult social care organisations
- Other qualifying health-sector employers
The employer normally needs a valid sponsor licence and must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for the qualifying role.
Current Salary Requirements
Salary rules depend on the occupation.
For many eligible health and care jobs, the worker usually needs to be paid at least £25,000 per year or the relevant going rate, whichever is higher.
Healthcare jobs covered by national pay scales use different going-rate calculations.
Other occupations under the Health and Care route can have a higher general threshold. Current rules for several specified occupations use a usual threshold of £31,300 per year or the relevant lower going rate, whichever is higher, with limited discounted options where the rules allow.
Applicants should check the exact occupation code rather than assuming one salary figure applies to every healthcare job.
How Much Does the Visa Cost?
From October 2026, the standard Health and Care Worker visa application fee is:
- £324 per person for permission of up to three years
- £628 per person for permission of more than three years
Applicants usually also need to show that they have at least £1,270 available to support themselves when they arrive, unless an exemption applies or the sponsor certifies maintenance.
Health and Care Worker visa applicants benefit from special immigration arrangements compared with the general Skilled Worker route, but applicants should always check the current fee page before applying.
Do You Need Professional Registration?
Many UK healthcare professions are regulated.
Depending on the occupation, registration may be required with a professional regulator.
Examples include:
- Nursing and Midwifery Council
- General Medical Council
- Health and Care Professions Council
- General Pharmaceutical Council
A visa does not replace professional registration.
Where to Search for Genuine Healthcare Jobs
NHS Jobs
NHS recruitment platforms are a useful starting point for healthcare professionals.
Employer career websites
Large hospitals, trusts and health organisations often advertise vacancies directly.
UK sponsor register
You can check whether an organisation holds a sponsor licence using the official Register of Licensed Sponsors.
Being on the register does not mean the employer currently has a vacancy or will sponsor every role.
How to Check a Sponsorship Offer
Before accepting an offer:
- Verify the employer’s legal name
- Check the sponsor register
- Visit the employer’s official website
- Confirm the occupation code
- Check the salary against the official going rate
- Confirm professional registration requirements
- Read the employment contract carefully
Can Nigerians Apply?
Yes. Qualified Nigerian health professionals can apply for eligible UK health jobs where they satisfy the professional, employment and immigration requirements.
The fact that an employer can sponsor workers does not mean every applicant will qualify.
Scams to Avoid
Be cautious if someone:
- Sells a Certificate of Sponsorship
- Guarantees a visa
- Advertises overseas care-worker sponsorship without acknowledging current restrictions
- Demands a large recruitment payment before interview
- Uses the name of a real NHS organisation but contacts you from an unrelated email address
Official Sources to Check
- GOV.UK – Health and Care Worker visa
- Eligible Health and Care Worker jobs
- Health and Care Worker visa costs
- Register of Licensed Sponsors
Final Thoughts
The UK still provides genuine opportunities for international doctors, nurses and other eligible health professionals, but applicants need to use current information.
Do not assume that old care-worker sponsorship advice still applies in 2027.
Check the occupation code, employer licence, salary and professional registration before making financial commitments.
Disclaimer: UK immigration rules, fees, occupation eligibility and salary thresholds can change. This article is general information and is not a guarantee of employment or visa approval.
