UK visas
UK Health and Care Worker visa for doctors, nurses and health staff
For qualified health and social care professionals with a job offer from the NHS, an NHS supplier or an adult social care provider.
- Needs
- Approved health or care sponsor
- Jobs
- Eligible health and care roles
- Family
- Dependants can apply
Who it suits
Is this visa for you?
- You are a doctor, nurse, allied health professional or similar
- You have an offer from the NHS or an approved care sponsor
- You hold the professional registration the job needs
The basics
What the authorities look for
- A job offer from an approved health or adult social care sponsor
- A certificate of sponsorship for an eligible health or care job
- Pay at least at the level the rules set, or the going rate for the job
- English language at the required level
- Registration with the relevant UK body where the job requires it
A summary of the published rules. The full rules have more conditions, and they change. Last reviewed October 2026. GOV.UK: Health and Care Worker visa
Take care
Where cases go wrong
- **Care workers.** Care worker and senior care worker roles are closed to new overseas applications. Check the current list of eligible jobs.
- **Registration takes time.** Professional registration can take months. Start it early.
- **Sponsor checks.** Confirm the employer is licensed for this route before you rely on an offer.
Your case has details a web page cannot cover.
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Health and Care Worker visa questions
Are care worker jobs still open to people from India?
New applications from overseas for care worker and senior care worker roles are no longer accepted. Check the GOV.UK list of eligible jobs before you apply.
Do I need a professional registration first?
Many roles need one before you can start work. The regulator for your profession sets the steps, and they take time.
Keep reading
Other UK visa pages
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