Moving to the UK to build a career in healthcare or social care has long been an attractive option for qualified professionals. However, the health and care worker visa has changed significantly following the Immigration Rules introduced in July 2025. While the route remains open for many healthcare professionals, the eligibility criteria are now more restrictive for certain occupations, particularly within adult social care. Understanding what has changed is essential before accepting a job offer or starting a visa application.

Whether you are a nurse, doctor, allied health professional or someone exploring opportunities in the care sector, relying on outdated information could delay your plans or result in an unsuccessful application. This guide explains how the health and care worker visa works after the 2025 changes, who can still qualify, and what employers and applicants should know. Throughout the article, we refer to the latest Home Office guidance under Appendix Skilled Worker and official government policy to help you make informed decisions.

Quick Overview

Topic	Key Takeaway
Visa route	The Health and Care Worker visa is a specialist route within the Skilled Worker route.
Who can apply	Eligible healthcare professionals and certain adult social care professionals with approved sponsors.
2025 changes	New overseas sponsorship for care workers and senior care workers has ended, with limited transitional arrangements.
Sponsorship	Applicants need a valid job offer from a Home Office-approved employer.
Salary	Applicants must meet the applicable salary requirement or occupation-specific going rate, whichever is higher.
Dependants	Eligibility depends on the applicant’s occupation and immigration circumstances.

What Is the Health and Care Worker Visa?

The health and care worker visa is a dedicated immigration route designed for eligible professionals working in health and social care occupations in the UK. It forms part of the Appendix Skilled Worker framework but offers specific benefits for qualifying healthcare roles, including reduced visa fees and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge for eligible applicants.

Unlike a standard Skilled Worker visa, this route is specifically intended for professionals employed by approved organisations delivering health or adult social care services.

If you are unfamiliar with how this immigration category fits within UK work visas, our guide to the Health & Care Worker visa explains its place among the UK’s employment routes.

How does it fit within the Skilled Worker route?

Although commonly referred to as a health care visa, it remains legally part of the wider Skilled Worker framework. This means applicants must satisfy the core requirements set out under Appendix Skilled Worker, including:

• A genuine job offer
• An approved sponsor
• An eligible occupation
• English language ability
• Applicable salary requirements

If you would like a broader understanding of sponsored employment routes, you can also read about the Skilled Worker route.

Who typically applies?

Eligible applicants commonly include:

• Doctors
• Nurses
• Midwives
• Physiotherapists
• Radiographers
• Occupational therapists
• Paramedics
• Certain adult social care professionals
• Other regulated healthcare professionals

Eligibility always depends on both the occupation and the sponsoring employer rather than the job title alone.

Health and Care Worker Visa Changes Introduced in 2025

The biggest changes to the health and care worker visa came into effect in July 2025 as part of wider reforms to the UK’s immigration system. These reforms aimed to reduce exploitation within adult social care while refocusing sponsorship on priority healthcare occupations.

Rather than changing every aspect of the visa, the Government introduced targeted restrictions affecting particular occupation codes.

Why were the rules changed?

According to the Home Office, the reforms sought to:

• reduce abuse of the sponsorship system
• improve workforce planning
• strengthen sponsor accountability
• encourage sustainable domestic recruitment alongside international recruitment

The changes form part of broader amendments to the Skilled Worker route introduced through the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules.

Overseas recruitment for care workers

One of the most significant changes affects the care worker visa.

From July 2025, employers can no longer sponsor new overseas applicants for occupation codes covering care workers and senior care workers entering directly from outside the UK.

This does not mean that the entire health and social care visa route has closed.

Healthcare occupations such as nursing and many NHS roles remain eligible, provided applicants satisfy all requirements.

Transitional arrangements

Some workers already in the UK may still qualify to:

• extend their permission
• switch employers in eligible circumstances
• remain sponsored under transitional arrangements

These provisions are highly fact-specific and depend on immigration history and occupation.

Because transitional rules can be complex, professional advice is often recommended before submitting an application.

Key Changes at a Glance

Before July 2025	After July 2025
Overseas recruitment available for many care worker roles	New overseas sponsorship for care worker and senior care worker roles ended
Wider range of eligible occupations	Occupational eligibility narrowed for new applicants
Existing sponsorship rules	Updated sponsorship and salary requirements under the revised Skilled Worker framework
Standard eligibility assessment	Transitional arrangements apply to some existing workers

Health and Care Worker Visa Eligibility After the 2025 Rules

Although the reforms changed parts of the route, many healthcare professionals remain eligible for a health and care worker visa.

Applicants must satisfy every applicable requirement before a visa can be granted.

Approved sponsor

You must have a genuine job offer from a UK employer licensed by the Home Office.

Your employer issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) confirming the following:

• your role
• salary
• occupation code
• employment details

Eligible occupation

The Home Office publishes an approved list of occupations that qualify for this route.

Simply working in healthcare is not enough.

Your occupation code must remain eligible under the current Immigration Rules.

Here is a complete guide on the eligible occupation list. 

Salary requirements

Applicants must usually receive whichever is higher:

• the applicable minimum salary for the route, or
• the occupation’s going rate.

Salary rules have changed significantly in recent years, so employers and applicants should always check the latest requirements before submitting an application. 

English language requirement

Applicants must demonstrate the required level of English through an approved qualification or another recognised method accepted by the Home Office.

Financial requirement

Some applicants must show they have enough funds to support themselves unless their sponsor certifies maintenance where permitted.

Criminal record certificate

Depending on the occupation, applicants may also need to provide a criminal record certificate from relevant countries where they have lived.

Can You Still Apply for a Care Worker Visa?

The answer depends on where you are applying from, your occupation, and your immigration history. Following the Immigration Rules introduced in July 2025, overseas recruitment for new care worker and senior care worker roles has changed significantly, while transitional provisions continue to apply to certain workers already in the UK.

Overseas applicants

If you are applying from outside the UK, you should first check whether your occupation remains eligible under Appendix Skilled Worker.

Healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses and many allied health professionals can still apply for a health and care worker visa, provided they have:

• A genuine job offer
• A valid Certificate of Sponsorship
• An approved sponsor
• An eligible occupation code
• The required English language ability
• The applicable salary for their role

However, new overseas sponsorship for care workers and senior care workers has ended under the 2025 reforms.

Applicants already in the UK

Some individuals already living and working in the UK may still be able to:

• extend their permission
• switch to another eligible sponsor
• continue working under transitional arrangements

Whether these provisions apply depends on your individual immigration history and current sponsorship. It is important not to assume that existing workers are automatically covered.

Switching employers

If you intend to change employers, your new employer must usually hold a valid sponsor licence and issue a new Certificate of Sponsorship before you submit your application.

Because switching rules vary depending on your occupation and immigration status, it is advisable to review the current Immigration Rules before making employment decisions.

Which Jobs Still Qualify Under the Health and Care Worker Visa?

Not every healthcare-related role qualifies for this route. Eligibility depends on the occupation code published by the Home Office and whether the employer is authorised to sponsor workers.

Commonly eligible occupations	Occupations affected by the 2025 reforms
Doctors	New overseas care worker recruitment
Nurses	New overseas senior care worker recruitment
Midwives	Occupations removed from eligibility
Physiotherapists	Roles outside approved occupation codes
Radiographers	Non-sponsored positions

Applicants should always confirm that their occupation remains eligible before accepting an offer.

If you are exploring sponsored employment opportunities, our guide to jobs in the care sector explains how sponsorship works and what employers look for.

Documents Needed for a Health Care Visa Application

Preparing the correct documents reduces the likelihood of delays or requests for further evidence.

Typical documents include:

• A valid passport or travel document
• Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
• Proof of English language ability
• Evidence of professional qualifications where required
• Criminal record certificate (for relevant occupations)
• Tuberculosis test certificate where applicable
• Supporting financial evidence if maintenance is required

Additional documents may be requested depending on your circumstances.

Always ensure the information provided matches the details recorded by your sponsor. Inconsistencies can result in processing delays or refusal.

Bringing Family Members on a Health and Care Worker Visa

Many applicants want to relocate with their family. However, dependant eligibility has become more complex following recent Immigration Rule changes.

In general, eligible dependants may include:

• a spouse or civil partner
• an unmarried partner who meets the Immigration Rules
• dependent children

For certain care worker and senior care worker occupations, family applications are now restricted unless transitional or other specified exceptions apply. These rules differ depending on when the main applicant entered the route and the occupation they hold.

Applicants should check the latest Home Office guidance before assuming that dependants can apply.

Common Reasons a Health and Care Worker Visa Is Refused

Even where an applicant has secured sponsorship, an application can still be refused.

Some of the most common reasons include:

• Incorrect occupation code
• Invalid or withdrawn Certificate of Sponsorship
• Salary requirement not met
• Insufficient English language evidence
• Missing supporting documents
• Failure to satisfy Immigration Rule requirements

Before submitting an application, check that every document matches the details recorded by your sponsoring employer.

Key Takeaway

The health and care worker visa continues to provide an important route for eligible healthcare professionals who want to work in the UK. However, the changes introduced in 2025 have altered who can qualify, particularly within adult social care. Understanding the latest Immigration Rules before accepting a job offer or submitting an application is essential.

If you are unsure whether you remain eligible, have questions about sponsorship, or need guidance on your individual circumstances, obtaining professional advice can help you avoid unnecessary delays and ensure your application is prepared correctly.

For personalised care visa advice, speak with the experienced team at GMS Immigration. We assess your circumstances against the latest Immigration Rules and provide practical guidance tailored to your route.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Health and Care Worker visa still available?

Yes. The route remains open for eligible healthcare professionals and qualifying occupations under Appendix Skilled Worker, although some adult social care occupations are no longer open to new overseas recruitment.

Can I still apply for a care worker visa from overseas?

New overseas sponsorship for care worker and senior care worker roles ended following the July 2025 Immigration Rule changes. Transitional arrangements may apply to some workers already in the UK.

Does the Health and Care Worker visa lead to settlement?

In many cases, qualifying applicants may become eligible to apply for settlement after meeting the relevant residence and Immigration Rule requirements. Eligibility depends on meeting all applicable conditions at the time of application.

Can I switch employers?

Yes, provided you continue to meet the Immigration Rules and receive a new Certificate of Sponsorship from an approved sponsor where required.

Do I need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge?

Eligible applicants on the Health and Care Worker visa are exempt from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge, subject to meeting the requirements of the route.