Ultimate Guide: How to Apply for UK Health and Care Worker Visa – Fees, Processing Times & Requirements (2025)

How to Apply for UK Health and Care Worker Visa? One of the significant advantages of the Health and Care Worker visa is its affordability and efficiency. Compared to the general Skilled Worker route, applicants under this visa benefit from reduced application fees, exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge, and priority processing times—making the process faster and more accessible for healthcare professionals.

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1. Visa Application Fees

The visa fees for the Health and Care Worker route are consistent across both overseas and in-country applications, and apply to main applicants as well as their dependants.

 Important Note:
Applicants under this route are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is a major financial benefit—saving individuals up to £1,035 per year of stay in the UK.

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2. Processing Timeline

The Health and Care Worker visa is fast-tracked by default, with most applications processed within 3 weeks from the date the applicant completes biometric enrolment. This accelerated timeline is designed to meet the urgent demand for skilled professionals in the UK’s health and care sectors.

In addition, the UK government has introduced a dedicated NHS support and visa processing team to assist both applicants and sponsors. This team can be contacted for:

• Questions about application status

• Support with documentation

• Clarification of eligibility under the Health and Care route

This level of tailored assistance ensures that any issues encountered during the process are resolved efficiently.

Bringing Dependants on a Health and Care Worker Visa

Health and Care Worker visa holders may be eligible to bring their immediate family members—referred to as dependants—to the UK, provided they meet the current immigration criteria. A dependant’s visa will typically be issued in line with the main applicant’s visa duration.

However, there are important restrictions based on job roles, especially for care workers, following recent changes to UK immigration rules.

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Who Qualifies as a Dependant?

Dependants can include:

• A spouse or civil partner

• An unmarried partner (if you’ve been living together for at least 2 years)

• Children under 18 years old

• Children over 18 (if they’re already in the UK as your dependants)

Each dependant must submit a separate application and provide documentation proving their relationship to the main visa holder.

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New Restrictions for Care Worker Roles

As of 11 March 2024, new immigration rules have restricted dependant rights for care-related roles:

• If the main applicant is sponsored under SOC code 6135 (Care Workers and Home Carers) or SOC code 6136 (Senior Care Workers), they can no longer bring new dependants under the Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa routes.

• This rule applies to new applications only and does not affect family members who were granted visas before 11 March 2024.

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Exceptions and Transitional Arrangements

Dependants who were already in the UK or had valid permission before the rule change can remain under the same visa route. These family members may include:

• Spouse or partner

• Children under 18

• Children over 18 (if they already held dependant status)

Their visas will normally expire at the same time as the primary visa holder’s. If both parents hold separate visas with different end dates, the child’s visa will typically align with the shorter of the two durations.

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Visa Conditions for Nurses in UK Visa Sponsorship Hospitals – 2025 Guide

Nurses applying to UK visa sponsorship hospitals for nurses in 2025 must comply with strict visa conditions under the Health and Care Worker visa route. Understanding these rules is crucial to avoid jeopardizing your immigration status while living and working in the UK.

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1. Working Additional Hours or Taking a Second Job

If you’re working as a nurse in one of the UK visa sponsorship hospitals for 2025, you are allowed to take on additional work under certain conditions:

• You must remain in your main sponsored role (the job listed on your Certificate of Sponsorship).

• You can work overtime or take bank shifts with your NHS sponsor without updating your visa.

• You are also allowed to do up to 20 hours per week of extra work in an eligible occupation, even for a different employer or as a self-employed person, without changing your visa.

Example: A nurse working in a sponsored NHS hospital can take weekend shifts in another clinic or agency, as long as it’s within the approved limits and doesn’t interfere with their primary role.

However, if you plan to work more than 20 hours a week outside your main job, or in a role that is not on the Shortage Occupation List, you will need to apply to update your visa with the Home Office. This involves a formal application and may require a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your secondary employer.

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2. Changing Jobs or Employers

Nurses working in UK visa sponsorship hospitals for 2025 may decide to move to another role or hospital. However, there are important legal steps you must follow to change jobs legally under your visa:

You must apply for a new visa if:

• You are starting a job with a new employer.

• Your new role has a different occupation code from your original position (except for graduate training programmes).

• You are moving from a Shortage Occupation role to a non-shortage role.

For example, if you’re currently a registered nurse in a UK visa sponsorship hospital in 2025 under the Shortage Occupation List and decide to move to a healthcare admin role, you will need to submit a new visa application with updated information.

Failure to follow this process can lead to visa cancellation or immigration penalties, so it’s crucial to seek guidance from your HR department or immigration advisor before making employment changes.

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By staying compliant with visa conditions, you not only protect your right to work but also increase your chances of visa extension, permanent residency, or even future family sponsorship. For any nurse planning to build a long-term career in the UK through one of the UK visa sponsorship hospitals in 2025, understanding these employment rules is a vital step toward a stable and successful future.

Extending Your Health and Care Worker Visa in 2025: What Nurses in UK Visa Sponsorship Hospitals Must Know

For nurses working in UK visa sponsorship hospitals in 2025, the Health and Care Worker visa provides a pathway not only to live and work in the UK, but also to eventually settle permanently. However, to maintain your lawful stay, it’s essential to understand how to extend your visa when the time comes.

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How Long Does the Visa Last?

Initially, your Health and Care Worker visa is granted for up to five years. If you plan to remain in the UK beyond that period and haven’t yet applied for settlement, you’ll need to apply for a visa extension before your current visa expires.

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Eligibility for Extension

To qualify for an extension as a nurse working in one of the UK visa sponsorship hospitals for nurses 2025, you must still meet the visa criteria:

• Continue working for the same sponsor (i.e., the hospital or trust that issued your Certificate of Sponsorship).

• Remain employed in the same role and occupation code listed in your original visa.

• Satisfy the updated salary threshold requirements, including any changes introduced after July 2025.

Failure to meet any of these conditions could result in a visa refusal, so it’s crucial to maintain compliance and start the renewal process early.

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Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Rather than renewing your visa after five years, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) – a form of permanent residency in the UK. This is an excellent opportunity for nurses who plan to build a long-term future in the UK, especially those who began their journey through UK visa sponsorship hospitals in 2025.

To be eligible for ILR, you must:

• Have lived continuously in the UK for at least five years on a valid Health and Care Worker visa.

• Meet the salary, employment, and language requirements.

• Demonstrate that you’ve abided by all visa conditions during your stay.

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What About Family Members?

If your dependants (such as your spouse or children) joined you in the UK under your Health and Care Worker visa, they will also need to apply for extensions when your visa is due to expire. Alternatively, they can apply for ILR alongside you, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.

Note: If your dependants joined before the March 2024 restrictions on care worker roles, they can continue to extend their stay as dependants, even if new applications are no longer allowed under certain SOC codes.

How Nurses in UK Visa Sponsorship Hospitals Can Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in 2025

For dedicated nurses working in UK visa sponsorship hospitals in 2025, the Health and Care Worker visa is more than a temporary work permit—it’s a potential gateway to permanent residency. After completing five years of qualifying employment, you may become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK.

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What is ILR?

Indefinite Leave to Remain allows foreign nationals to live, work, and study in the UK without time restrictions. It’s the final step before applying for British citizenship, making it a critical milestone for international nurses who began their journey through UK visa sponsorship hospitals for nurses 2025.

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Visa Routes That Count Toward ILR

If you’ve spent five continuous years in the UK under one or more of the following work visa categories, your time may count toward ILR eligibility:

• Health and Care Worker visa

• Skilled Worker visa or Tier 2 (General)

• Any Tier 1 visa (excluding Graduate Entrepreneur)

• Scale-up Worker visa

• Innovator visa

• Global Talent visa

• T2 Minister of Religion or Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)

• International Sportsperson or Tier 2 Sportsperson

• Representative of an Overseas Business visa

Time spent on Tier 5 (Temporary), Graduate, or Student visas does not count toward the ILR qualifying period.

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When Can You Apply for ILR?

Your five-year qualifying period begins from the date your initial visa (entry clearance or leave to remain) was granted. You can apply for ILR up to 28 days before reaching the five-year mark.

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Requirements for ILR as a Nurse in 2025

To successfully apply for ILR while working at one of the UK visa sponsorship hospitals for nurses 2025, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

• Five continuous years of lawful residence and employment in the UK under an eligible visa category

• No more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during those five years

• Continued employment with your sponsoring hospital or trust

• Meeting the settlement salary threshold for Health and Care visa holders

• Passing the Life in the UK Test, which assesses your knowledge of British history, values, and society

• Proving your English language proficiency, unless exempt

• Not falling under the general grounds for refusal (e.g., criminal record, false information)

You will also need to complete the SET (O) form, which is the official Home Office application for ILR under work visa categories.

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A Vital Milestone for Sponsored Nurses

For many international nurses, especially those who arrived through UK visa sponsorship hospitals in 2025, gaining ILR is a life-changing achievement. It grants freedom from visa renewal stress, unlocks more job opportunities, and sets you on the path toward full British citizenship.

By planning ahead and meeting the eligibility requirements, you can take this significant step toward long-term stability and success in your UK nursing career.

Need Help Navigating the UK Visa Sponsorship Process for Nurses in 2025?

Embarking on your journey to work as a nurse in the UK can be both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you’re applying for the Health and Care Worker visa, looking to join one of the UK visa sponsorship hospitals for nurses 2025, or preparing for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), professional support can make all the difference.

At Real Nursing Journey, we’re committed to guiding international nurses through every step of the sponsorship and visa process. From understanding eligibility requirements—like salary thresholds, occupation codes, and English language standards—to managing your documents, biometrics, and visa fees, we provide clear, practical information you can trust.

Need personalised guidance or unsure about which hospitals are currently sponsoring overseas nurses in 2025? We’re here to help point you in the right direction.

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📩 Get in touch today or explore our resources to take the next confident step in your UK nursing career.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Health and Care Worker Visa for Nurses in the UK (2025)

Navigating the UK immigration process as a nurse or healthcare professional can raise a lot of questions. Below are the most commonly asked queries related to the Health and Care Worker visa, especially for those seeking opportunities through UK visa sponsorship hospitals for nurses in 2025.

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🔹 What is the Health and Care Worker Visa?
The Health and Care Worker visa is a dedicated immigration route under the UK’s points-based system. It’s designed for qualified healthcare professionals, including nurses, to work in eligible roles across the NHS, private healthcare providers, and adult social care sectors.

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🔹 Who is eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa?
To qualify, you must have a confirmed job offer in an eligible health or social care role from a licensed UK sponsor—such as an NHS Trust or other UK visa sponsorship hospital. Your role must meet specific salary and qualification thresholds.

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🔹 Does the NHS offer visa sponsorship in 2025?
Yes. The NHS continues to sponsor international nurses in 2025, provided the organisation holds a valid sponsorship licence and the applicant meets all visa conditions. Many NHS Trusts are actively recruiting overseas nurses this year.

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🔹 What is the minimum salary requirement for the Health and Care Worker visa?
Until 21 July 2025, most roles require a salary of £26,200 or the going rate, whichever is higher. For positions on the Immigration Salary List—like care worker roles—the threshold is £23,200.
From 22 July 2025, new rules will apply:

• Most roles must meet £41,700 or the updated going rate (whichever is higher).

• A minimum hourly wage of £17.13 is also required.

• Care worker roles remain exempt from the increased rate until 2028.

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🔹 Can dependants apply with Health and Care Worker visa holders?
Yes, but with restrictions.
Spouses, partners, and children of eligible visa holders (except care workers under SOC codes 6135 & 6136) can apply as dependants. However, new applications for dependants of care workers are no longer permitted since 11 March 2024, unless they were already in the UK or previously granted dependant status.

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🔹 Do Health and Care visa holders pay the Immigration Health Surcharge?
No. One of the major benefits of this visa route is the exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)—saving applicants hundreds of pounds annually.

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🔹 Are care workers eligible for the Health and Care visa in 2025?
Yes. Care workers and senior care workers remain eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa under the Immigration Salary List until at least 2028. However, new rules have limited their ability to bring dependants to the UK.

Glossary of Key UK Nursing Visa Terms (2025)

To help you better understand the terminology used throughout your UK nursing journey, here’s a glossary of essential terms related to the Health and Care Worker visa and UK visa sponsorship hospitals for nurses in 2025: