United Kingdom · Work
United Kingdom Health and Care Worker visa
Income needed: £25k+ a year ≈ $33k
Checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Health and Care Worker visa is a work route for United Kingdom. Applicants need income of £25k+ a year ≈ $33k. You can stay 5 yrs, renewable. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.
- Money needed
- £25k+ a year ≈ $33k
- Government fees
- £324 ≈ $430
- Processing
- At least 21 days
- First stay
- 5 yrs
Cost, time and long term
To apply: government fee £324 ≈ $430; income to show £25k+/yr ≈ $33k; decision: at least 21 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government fees£324 ≈ $430
- GBP 324 (≈ $430)Application fee for up to 3 years; GBP628 (≈ $830) for more than 3 years. No healthcare surcharge.
Shown, not spent£25k+/yr ≈ $33k · £1,270+ ≈ $1,680
- GBP 25,000 a year (≈ $33,000)Usual minimum salary for eligible jobs, or the occupation going rate if higher; some occupation codes and NHS pay bands use different levels, for example GBP31,300 (≈ $41,400) or the lower going rate for the codes in the different-salary list.
- GBP 1,270 (≈ $1,680)Personal savings held for 28 consecutive days, unless exempt or the employer covers the first month.
RenewalRenewable
Extend as many times as you like while you still meet the requirements.
Permanent residenceAfter 5 years of residence
After 5 years in the UK you can apply to settle if other requirements are met.
CitizenshipAfter 6 years of residence
British citizenship needs 5 years living in the UK and then 12 months with settled status, so about 6 years on this route (no 12-month wait if married to a British citizen), with no more than 450 days outside the UK in the 5 years.
ProcessingAt least 21 days
Decisions usually come within 3 weeks; faster decisions are available for an extra fee.
Where to applyAbroad or in-country
Apply online from outside the UK, or from inside the UK to extend or switch from another visa.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Needs a job offer from an employer in United Kingdom
- Not open to passports from Ireland
What you'll need
Who can apply6
- The applicant is a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional.
- The job is in an eligible occupation code and the employer is an approved NHS, NHS-supplier or adult social care sponsor.
- Care worker and senior care worker roles (codes 6135 and 6136) are open only to people extending, updating or switching to this visa.
- To switch into a care worker or senior care worker role, you must have worked legally in that job for your sponsor for at least 3 months.
- For care worker and senior care worker roles in England, the employer must be registered with the Care Quality Commission.
- English at CEFR level B2; a visa holder from before 8 January 2026 who extends or updates needs B1.
What you must show3
- A salary of at least GBP25,000 (≈ $33,000) or the occupation going rate, whichever is higher; other codes and NHS pay bands have their own rates.
- Personal savings of GBP1,270 (≈ $1,680) unless exempt or the employer covers the first month.
- Application fee of GBP324 (≈ $430) for up to 3 years or GBP628 (≈ $830) for longer; no healthcare surcharge.
Documents1
- A certificate of sponsorship from the employer, used within 3 months.
Steps1
- Apply online up to 3 months before the job start date; a decision usually takes about 3 weeks.
After you arrive1
- Settlement is possible after 5 years in the UK.
When you become tax resident
How United Kingdom decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 5 years at first, renewable
- Tax residence
Statutory Residence Test.
- Foreign-source income
New-resident relief (4 years)
Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025.
- Special regime
Four-year Foreign Income and Gains regime · Tax relief
All tax rules for United Kingdom Tax records checked
Full official text
Sponsored visa for qualified doctors, nurses, health professionals and adult social care professionals with a job offer from the NHS, an NHS supplier or an adult social care employer. Applicants pay a reduced application fee and no healthcare surcharge. 1 2 3
What you must show and pay
- Income of at least GBP 25,000 a year (≈ $33,000) · Usual minimum salary for eligible jobs, or the occupation going rate if higher; some occupation codes and NHS pay bands use different levels, for example GBP31,300 (≈ $41,400) or the lower going rate for the codes in the different-salary list. 1
- Savings of at least GBP 1,270 (≈ $1,680) · Personal savings held for 28 consecutive days, unless exempt or the employer covers the first month. 1
- A fee of GBP 324 (≈ $430) · Application fee for up to 3 years; GBP628 (≈ $830) for more than 3 years. No healthcare surcharge. 1
Requirements
- The applicant is a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional. 1
- The job is in an eligible occupation code and the employer is an approved NHS, NHS-supplier or adult social care sponsor. 1
- Care worker and senior care worker roles (codes 6135 and 6136) are open only to people extending, updating or switching to this visa. 1 3
- To switch into a care worker or senior care worker role, you must have worked legally in that job for your sponsor for at least 3 months. 3
- For care worker and senior care worker roles in England, the employer must be registered with the Care Quality Commission. 3
- English at CEFR level B2; a visa holder from before 8 January 2026 who extends or updates needs B1. 1
- A salary of at least GBP25,000 (≈ $33,000) or the occupation going rate, whichever is higher; other codes and NHS pay bands have their own rates. 1
- Personal savings of GBP1,270 (≈ $1,680) unless exempt or the employer covers the first month. 1
- Application fee of GBP324 (≈ $430) for up to 3 years or GBP628 (≈ $830) for longer; no healthcare surcharge. 1
- A certificate of sponsorship from the employer, used within 3 months. 1
- Apply online up to 3 months before the job start date; a decision usually takes about 3 weeks. 1
- Settlement is possible after 5 years in the UK. 1
Stay
- Up to 5 years before extension; extendable any number of times while the requirements are met.
- First stay: up to 60 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
Non-British, non-Irish nationals needing permission Not open to: United Kingdom, Ireland.
Work
Work in the sponsored health or care job; additional work is allowed in some circumstances; study and voluntary work are allowed.
Family
Partner and children can apply as dependants for most roles; care workers and senior care workers can bring dependants only in listed cases such as continuous employment since before 11 March 2024. Your spouse or partner may work in the United Kingdom without a separate permit.
Official sources
- Health and Care Worker visa · GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration) · checked 2026-10-11
- Health and Care Worker visa: your partner and children · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-12
- Health and Care Worker visa: your job · GOV.UK · checked 2026-10-12
- Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain or settled status · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-11
Health and Care Worker visa and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Care Worker visa | Needs income of £25k+ a year ≈ $33k | 5 yr, renewable | Yes |
| Scale-up Worker | Needs income of £39k+ a year ≈ $52k | 2 yr, renewable | Yes |
| Senior or Specialist Worker visa | Needs income of £53k+ a year ≈ $69k | 5 yr, renewable | Yes |
| Skilled Worker | Needs income from £33k a year ≈ $44k | 5 yr, renewable | – |
| Blue Card Portugal | Needs income from €1,726 a month ≈ $1,930 | 2 yr, renewable | Limited |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Health and Care Worker visa?
Income of at least GBP 25,000 a year (≈ $33,000). Usual minimum salary for eligible jobs, or the occupation going rate if higher; some occupation codes and NHS pay bands use different levels, for example GBP31,300 (≈ $41,400) or the lower going rate for the codes in the different-salary list. Savings of at least GBP 1,270 (≈ $1,680). Personal savings held for 28 consecutive days, unless exempt or the employer covers the first month. A fee of GBP 324 (≈ $430). Application fee for up to 3 years; GBP628 (≈ $830) for more than 3 years.
How long can I stay on the Health and Care Worker visa?
Up to 5 years before extension; extendable any number of times while the requirements are met.
How long does the Health and Care Worker visa take to process?
Decisions usually come within 3 weeks; faster decisions are available for an extra fee.
Can I work on the Health and Care Worker visa?
Yes. Work in the sponsored health or care job; additional work is allowed in some circumstances; study and voluntary work are allowed.
Can I bring my family on the Health and Care Worker visa?
Partner and children can apply as dependants for most roles; care workers and senior care workers can bring dependants only in listed cases such as continuous employment since before 11 March 2024.
Who can apply for the Health and Care Worker visa?
Non-British, non-Irish nationals needing permission Not open to: United Kingdom, Ireland.
Does the Health and Care Worker visa lead to permanent residence in United Kingdom?
Time on the Health and Care Worker visa counts toward permanent residence in United Kingdom, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Health and Care Worker visa counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 6 years of residence.
Is there a tax break for Health and Care Worker visa holders in United Kingdom?
Four-year Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime: Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
Tax
Special regime
Four-year Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime
Tax relief
Details
- Who: UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test
Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025.
Taxed on
Claimed eligible foreign income and gains arising in the first four UK tax-resident years after at least ten years’ non-UK residence. Examples include foreign trade conducted wholly outside the UK, overseas property-business profits, non-UK dividends and foreign interest. Foreign employment earnings and specified employment income are outside FIG.
Who it applies to
- UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test.
- Within the first 4 years of UK tax residence after at least 10 years as non-UK resident.
- Claim made annually; unused years do not roll over; temporary years abroad are skipped.
- If the 4 years began before 6 April 2025, claims are available from 2025 to 2026 to the last year of the period.
Exclusions
- UK-source income stays taxable.
- Foreign earnings and foreign specific employment income are not eligible, though Overseas Workday Relief may apply.
- A claim loses Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax tax-free allowances, Marriage Allowance, Married Couples Allowance and Blind Person's Allowance.
Tax residence
Qualifying resident means UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test and within the first four years of UK residence after at least a 10-year period as non-UK tax resident.
Visas
Immigration permission does not qualify anyone; eligibility is tax residence only.
Other taxes
National Insurance, VAT, payroll, UK-source income, treaties and home-country taxes are outside the claim.
Checked against official sources on Change log
More in United Kingdom
Work visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-12 against 4 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Health and Care Worker visa · GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration) · checked 2026-10-11
- Health and Care Worker visa: your partner and children · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-12
- Health and Care Worker visa: your job · GOV.UK · checked 2026-10-12
- Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain or settled status · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-11. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.