Work Visa for Healthcare Workers in the UK
Healthcare is a field that always requires personnel. When the pandemic broke out in 2019, a significant shortage of workers in the sector became evident, prompting countries to take action. As a result, several countries opened opportunities for foreign workers to fill these roles within their borders.
The UK has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, and for this reason, it constantly needs qualified labor to meet the growing demand for staff. This visa allows foreign workers to be employed within the National Health Service (NHS), as well as work as a provider or adult social care worker.
This visa is valid for up to 5 years and can be extended. To extend it, you must follow the same application process before the visa expires. You must also update your visa if you change jobs or employers.
Eligibility Requirements for this Visa
- You must be a doctor, nurse, health professional, or adult social care worker.
- Your job must be related to healthcare or social care.
- You must work for a UK employer approved by the Home Office.
- You must have been sponsored by a UK employer and hold a certificate confirming this sponsorship.
- You must meet the minimum salary requirement (which depends on the profession and job role).
To verify eligibility, you must check your occupation and its corresponding code. Each job has a unique 4-digit code listed in an occupation database. You can either ask your employer for this code or use the ONS occupation coding tool, though it is recommended to ask your employer directly or look up similar jobs on the list.
The job description must match the duties you will be performing. To use the coding tool, visit:
ONS Occupation Coding Tool
Additional Requirements
- Proficiency in English: You must demonstrate the ability to speak, read, understand, and write in English. You will need to provide evidence of language proficiency. The minimum required level is B1.
- Work in a required healthcare-related profession.
Documentation Required from Outside the UK
- A valid passport or travel document, with at least one blank page.
- Biometric data collection, which can be done at the nearest visa application center (available in Bogotá, Medellín, and Barranquilla in Colombia).
- Use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to scan and submit your documents.
- Certificate of sponsorship provided by your employer.
- Proof of English language proficiency.
- Proof of job title and annual salary.
- The 4-digit occupation code.
- Employer details and sponsorship license, which can be found on the certificate of sponsorship.
Additional Documents That May Be Required:
- Proof of financial means to support yourself in the UK, such as bank statements. You must have enough funds to cover the visa application fee, as well as £1,270, which must remain in your account for 28 days. The 28th day must be within 31 days before submitting your visa application.
- If your employer provides accommodation, select the "sponsor certifies maintenance" option when applying.
- Tuberculosis test results.
- Criminal record certificate: If you are over 28 years old and have lived in a country for 12 months or more, you must obtain a certificate from each country. If you are under 28, you need a certificate from the country you have lived in for the last 10 years. However, this is not required for certain scientific roles.
- If you hold a UK PhD, you must provide your Ecctis reference number.
Visa Extension
- You must still hold the same job as your original visa or have the same occupation code.
- You must still work for the same sponsoring employer.
- You must continue to meet the salary requirements.
- If you applied with your family (partner and children), they can also extend their visas at the same time.
Required Documentation:
- A valid passport or travel document with at least one blank page.
- Biometric data collection.
The average processing time is 3 weeks, but it may take longer if further documentation is needed or interviews are required.
Important: You cannot leave the UK until a final decision on your extension has been made. If you leave, your application will be withdrawn.
If you are married or in a civil partnership and have dependent children under 18, they can apply for visas with you.
Dependents Requirements
For your partner:
- You must prove your relationship.
- You must have lived together in a relationship for at least 2 years.
For children over
- They must live with the applicant (unless they are in full-time boarding school).
- They must not be married or in a civil partnership.
- They must be financially supported by the applicant.
If the child lives with you:
- Bank statements.
- Credit card bills.
- Driver’s license.
- NHS registration (if in the UK).
- Official letter from the university or school.
The funds required to support dependents in the UK are:
- £285 for a partner.
- £315 for one child.
- £200 for each additional child.
For example, if you are bringing a partner and one child, you must have £600, in addition to the £1,270 needed for your own maintenance. This money must be held for 28 consecutive days within the 31 days before submitting your application. Your employer may also contribute to these costs, in which case you must provide a certificate.
If the applicant has been in the UK for 12 months, they do not need to demonstrate the £1,270, only the amount for dependents.
Visa Fees:
- Up to 3 years: £247 per person.
- More than 3 years: £479 per person.
The average decision time is 8 weeks, though it may take longer.
Application Process:
- Submit your application via the UK Immigration portal.
- Schedule an appointment at a migration center.
- Submit all necessary documents.
- Pay the visa fees.
- Await results.
Note:
- The migration center may request additional documents.
- If documents are not in English or Welsh, they must be translated.