This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the Health and Care Visa UK requirements in 2026, including the critical English language changes that took effect on 8 January 2026. Whether you're a nurse, doctor, care worker, or other healthcare professional, you'll find detailed information on eligibility criteria, IELTS requirements, fees, salary thresholds, and the pathway to settlement. Note that significant policy changes have affected this visa category, including the closure of the care worker route to new overseas recruitment.
Health and Care Visa UK Guidance 2026
The Health and Care Visa is a specialist immigration route designed to bring qualified healthcare professionals to the United Kingdom. It operates as a subcategory of the Skilled Worker visa but offers significant benefits including reduced fees and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. The visa is available to doctors, nurses, health professionals, and adult social care professionals who have a job offer from an approved UK employer.
What is the Health and Care Visa?
The Health and Care Visa is a UK work visa for qualified doctors, nurses, health professionals, and adult social care workers. It offers reduced application fees (£304 for up to 3 years) and complete exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. Applicants must have a job offer from an NHS trust, NHS supplier, or CQC-registered care provider with a valid sponsor licence.
The Health and Care Visa was introduced in August 2020 to address chronic staff shortages in the UK healthcare sector. According to NHS England workforce statistics, the NHS relies heavily on international recruitment, with approximately 17% of NHS staff reporting a non-British nationality. The visa allows successful applicants to work in the UK for up to 5 years per application and provides a clear pathway to indefinite leave to remain after 5 years of continuous residence.
Health and Care Visa UK Eligibility Requirements 2026
To qualify for a Health and Care Visa, you must meet specific eligibility criteria set by the Home Office. The requirements changed significantly in July 2025, with the minimum skill level increasing from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6 (graduate level) for most roles.
What Are the Basic Eligibility Requirements?
You must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from an approved employer, work in an eligible health or social care occupation at RQF Level 6 or above, earn at least £25,000 or the going rate for your role (whichever is higher), demonstrate B2 English level, and have £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days unless your sponsor certifies your maintenance.
- Valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from licensed NHS or care sector employer
- Job in eligible health/care occupation code at RQF Level 6 or above
- Minimum salary of £25,000 or going rate (whichever is higher)
- English language ability at B2 level (IELTS 5.5 in each component) for new applicants
- £1,270 maintenance funds held for 28 days (unless sponsor certified)
- Valid passport or travel document
- TB test certificate (if applying from listed country)
Eligible Occupation Codes (SOC 2020)
Following the July 2025 changes, only roles at RQF Level 6 (graduate level) or above are eligible for new Health and Care Visa applications. The table below shows the main eligible occupations:
For a complete list of eligible occupations and their going rates, refer to the official Immigration Salary List on gov.uk.
What is the IELTS Requirement for Health and Care Visa UK?
From 8 January 2026, new Health and Care Visa applicants must demonstrate B2 English level, requiring IELTS scores of at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, speaking, listening). This is an increase from the previous B1 requirement. Those extending or switching while already on the route only need B1 level (IELTS 4.0 in each component).
English Language Requirements Comparison
Approved English Language Tests
The Home Office accepts the following Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) for Health and Care Visa applications:
- IELTS for UKVI: Academic or General Training (must be UKVI version)
- PTE Academic UKVI: Pearson Test of English (UKVI version)
- LanguageCert International ESOL SELT: Various levels available
- Trinity College London ISE: Integrated Skills in English
You may be exempt from the English language requirement if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, have a degree taught in English, or have passed a professional body English assessment. For more information on exemptions, see our guide on UK visa English requirements.
What is the Minimum Salary Threshold for Health and Care Visa?
The minimum salary threshold for Health and Care Visa applicants in 2026 is £25,000 per year or the going rate for your specific occupation, whichever is higher. This applies to roles on the Immigration Salary List that follow national NHS pay scales. Unlike the general Skilled Worker visa (minimum £41,700), Health and Care workers benefit from a significantly lower threshold.
The salary requirements for Health and Care Visa applicants are more favourable than the standard Skilled Worker route because most eligible roles are on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) and follow national NHS pay scales. The general Skilled Worker minimum salary increased to £41,700 in July 2025, but Health and Care workers on national pay scales retain the £25,000 minimum.
NHS Pay Scales 2025/26
Most Health and Care Visa roles follow Agenda for Change (AfC) pay bands. The current NHS pay scales for 2025/26 are:
Health and Care Visa Fees 2026
One of the major advantages of the Health and Care Visa is the significantly reduced application fee compared to the standard Skilled Worker visa. The UK visa fees for Health and Care workers are as follows:
In addition to fee savings, Health and Care Visa sponsors are exempt from paying the Immigration Skills Charge if they are NHS employers, NHS suppliers providing services under contract, or CQC-registered adult social care providers. The standard Immigration Skills Charge is £1,320 per year (from 16 December 2025) for medium and large sponsors. For detailed fee information, see the official gov.uk visa fees table.
Processing Times
The standard visa processing time for Health and Care Visa applications is approximately 3 weeks from the date you provide biometrics. Applications made from within the UK (extensions or switches) also typically take 3 weeks. Dependant applications may take up to 8 weeks to process.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Pathway
The Health and Care Visa provides a clear pathway to permanent residence in the UK. After 5 years of continuous residence on the route, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), also known as settlement.
ILR Requirements for Health and Care Workers
- 5 years continuous residence: You must have spent 5 years on the Health and Care or Skilled Worker route
- Salary requirement: Must be earning at least £31,300 or the going rate for your role
- Life in the UK test: Must pass the official citizenship knowledge test
- English language: B1 level in speaking and listening
- Absence limits: No more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period
- English requirement increased to B2 (IELTS 5.5) for new applicants from 8 January 2026
- Care workers (SOC 6135/6136) route closed to new overseas recruitment since July 2025
- Visa fees are £304 (up to 3 years) or £590 (over 3 years) — significantly lower than Skilled Worker
- Complete exemption from Immigration Health Surcharge (saves £5,175 over 5 years)
- ILR qualifying period may increase from 5 to 10 years — consultation closes February 2026
For official application guidance, visit the gov.uk Health and Care Worker visa page. Employers seeking to sponsor Health and Care workers should refer to the Home Office sponsorship guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IELTS requirement for Health and Care Visa UK in 2026?
From 8 January 2026, new Health and Care Visa applicants must demonstrate B2 English level, which requires IELTS scores of at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). This is an increase from the previous B1 requirement. Those extending their visa or switching while already on the Health and Care route only need B1 level (IELTS 4.0 in each component).
Can care workers still apply for the Health and Care Visa?
No, from 22 July 2025, the care worker route (SOC codes 6135 and 6136) is closed to new overseas recruitment. Existing care workers who were employed by their sponsor for at least 3 months before 22 July 2025 have transitional rights to extend or switch employers until 22 July 2028. New applicants from overseas cannot be sponsored as care workers.
What is the minimum salary for Health and Care Visa 2026?
The minimum salary threshold for Health and Care Visa applicants is £25,000 per year or the going rate for your specific occupation, whichever is higher. This applies to roles on the Immigration Salary List that follow national NHS pay scales. This is significantly lower than the general Skilled Worker visa threshold of £41,700.
How much does the Health and Care Visa cost?
The Health and Care Visa application fee is £304 for visas up to 3 years and £590 for visas over 3 years. These fees are the same whether applying from inside or outside the UK. Health and Care Visa holders are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge (normally £1,035 per year), saving over £5,000 across a 5-year visa period.
Do Health and Care Visa holders pay the Immigration Health Surcharge?
No, Health and Care Visa holders and their dependants are completely exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This exemption applies to the main applicant and all accompanying family members. Given the IHS costs £1,035 per year for most other visa applicants, this represents a significant saving — over £5,000 per person over a 5-year period.
How long does Health and Care Visa processing take?
Standard processing for Health and Care Visa applications takes approximately 3 weeks from the date you provide biometrics. This applies to applications made both outside and inside the UK. Priority service (£500 extra) aims for a decision within 5 working days, and Super Priority (£1,000 extra) aims for next working day. Dependant applications may take up to 8 weeks.
Can Health and Care Visa holders bring family members?
Yes, most Health and Care Visa holders can bring their partner (spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner aged 18+) and children under 18. Dependants can work in the UK without restriction. However, care workers (SOC 6135/6136) can no longer bring new dependants — this restriction applies to those who arrived on or after 11 March 2024. Existing dependants who were granted leave before the rule change retain their rights.
How long until Health and Care Visa holders can get ILR?
Currently, Health and Care Visa holders can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after 5 years of continuous residence on the route. However, the Government is consulting on increasing this to 10 years (or 15 years for lower-skilled roles). Frontline NHS workers may qualify for a 5-year fast track if the proposals are implemented. The consultation closes on 12 February 2026, with potential implementation from April 2026.